Ex- govs, Ihedioha, Imoke, Amaechi advocate for effective leadership in Nigeria 

From Ene Asuquo, Calabar

The former governor of Imo State, Chukwuemeka Ihedioha, together with the former minister of transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on Tuesday harped on integrity as the cornerstone of impactful governance in Nigeria.

The duo, also stressed on the importance of resilience in effective leadership in the country.

Ihedioha and Amaechi made this known during the graduation of  the 25 fellows of the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship (EPLF) Bootcamp, that took place in Calabar.

The Nations News Nigeria reports that the graduation of the 25 fellows took place after six months of rigorous leadership training, and was organized by The Bridge Leadership Foundation (TBLF).

The Bootcamp kicked off with various training sessions and presentations of capstone projects by the fellows, who proposed innovative solutions to critical civic and governance challenges.

On the second day, the fellows toured significant institutions, including the National Assembly and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies. 

At the event, Senator Liyel Imoke, former governor of Cross River State and founder of TBLF, emphasized the fellowship’s mission to cultivate ethical and visionary leaders.

He noted that the 2024 cohort was chosen through a rigorous selection process, with over 700 applications for only 25 positions.

“It’s a very competitive fellowship,” he stated. “We strive for high competitiveness and ensure that those chosen have a genuine interest in public service. Participants come from all regions—north, south, east, and west—but selection is solely based on merit and quality, not regional representation.”

Imoke also pointed out the importance of the Bootcamp as an opportunity for fellows to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. 

“This event represented the culmination of the fellows’ dedication, from their virtual learning to their civic engagement efforts. It reinforces our vision of cultivating a new generation of leaders who will confidently steer Nigeria’s political future with integrity and purpose,” he said.

Female leaders, such as Senators Abiodun Olujimi, Nnenna Ukeje, and Betty Apiafi, inspired the fellows by presenting strategies for enhancing women’s involvement in politics, urging them to promote inclusivity and equity within public service.

The Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship reinforced its commitment to fostering a Nigeria led by visionary leaders devoted to ethical governance and social advancement.