The Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate, Church of Nigeria, Most Rev. Dr Henry Ndukuba, has described the late former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as a leader who lived for others and made service to humanity the hallmark of his life.
Ndukuba said Awolowo’s life offered an enduring lesson on selflessness, sacrifice and responsible leadership, urging contemporary leaders to emulate his example.
The Primate stated this on Monday during a dinner in his honour organised by the Chief Obafemi Awolowo family at Efunyela Hall, Ikenne-Remo, Ogun State.
Reflecting on the significance of his visit to Awolowo’s residence, Ndukuba said the late leader’s legacy should remind Nigerians, particularly those in positions of authority, that true leadership was about serving others rather than pursuing personal interests.
“Awolowo was a man that lived for others,” he said.
Drawing a parallel between Awolowo’s life and the example of Jesus Christ, Ndukuba said Christ demonstrated that leadership was rooted in service and sacrifice.
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He said Jesus “came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
According to the Primate, the examples of people who make a lasting impact show that meaningful leadership requires selflessness and sacrifice.
“And I have seen that men who make marks in their generation are men who lived sacrificially, serving others and even paying the ultimate price in the line of duty,” he said.
Ndukuba said the visit to Awolowo’s residence also raised important questions about the quality of leadership in contemporary Nigeria.
He said the chapel at the residence, where Awolowo and others withdrew to seek God, demonstrated the late leader’s commitment to his faith.
“We have just seen the rules and that begins to raise issues for us as leaders. How seriously have we taken our faith and our walk with God?” he asked.
Ndukuba said Awolowo’s example showed that effective leadership should have a strong spiritual and moral foundation.
He added that the chapel was a reminder that leaders needed to seek wisdom and direction before engaging with the people they were called to serve.
“Look at his room. Look at his chapel, which meant that he wouldn’t go down these steps without coming here,” he said.
The Primate urged leaders not to live for themselves but to dedicate their lives to serving others.
He said, “None of us lives to himself or to herself and no one dies to himself if we live we live to the Lord and if we die we die to the Lord therefore whether we live or die we are the Lord’s.”
Ndukuba said the lessons from Awolowo’s life should inspire Nigerians to make service and sacrifice central to their lives.
“That we make up our mind not to live for ourselves but live for him who loved us and died for us Jesus Christ and living unto him we live for the people, living unto him we live for the people,” he said.
He urged leaders to work towards leaving behind legacies that would continue to benefit society after their departure.
“So that no matter what comes our way, God will be glorified. The people will be blessed,” Ndukuba said.
“And even when we are no more, the impact of our walk with God and our ministry to the people of God and service to humanity will remain impactful.”
The Primate said Awolowo’s legacy should challenge present-day leaders to serve their generation faithfully and ensure that their contributions continued to make a difference after they were gone.
He said, “The memory of the righteous shall be blessed.”
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