Servant leadership is a leadership philosophy built on the belief that the most effective leaders strive to serve others, rather than accrue power or take control.
As defined by Greenleaf, servant leaders are not motivated by the traditional manifestations of power: The servant – leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. A servant – leader is sharply different from one who is a leader first, perhaps because of the need to assume an unusual power drive or to acquire material possessions. The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant – first to ensure that other people’s highest or basic priority needs are being served.
The Yuletide will remain indelible in the minds of the people of Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency as all roads led to the serene residence of the lawmaker representing Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency, Rt. Hon. Bassey Akiba.The gate was thrown open and without let or hindrance, individuals, different groups and organizations who thronged his residence to celebrate were given unfettered access.
In his usual magnanimity, the elated lawmaker was down to earth with his constituents as he was on hand to warmly receive people from all walks of life, be it the high-class, middle-class, low-class and the grassroots.As a servant- leader, he was up and doing, making sure that everybody was comfortably and benevolently hosted.
In the same vein, Hon. Bassey Akiba, visited the Home of The Aged and Orphanage, where he extended his kind gesture to the vulnerable and downtrodden
Admittedly, the humanitarian service is in tandem with Hon. Bassey Akiba’s leadership philosophy that a caring leader cares about others by creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, appreciated, heard, and loved.
According to Oprah Winfrey, “Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives” Indeed, the federal legislator has always connected and cordially related with his people at all times, and at all levels.
Without mincing words and derailing from the point of sincerity, Rt. Hon. Bassey Akiba strongly believe that if a society is to be built, one that is more just and more loving, one that provides greater care, support and vista of opportunities for its people, then the most open course is to raise the capacity, competence and character of leaders, not just leaders but servant – leaders. He belongs to the school of thought that leadership is all about caring, daring and sharing. Caring for people, daring to act fearlessly, and sharing the success with all.
THE BRIDGE MEDIA
