Victor Umanah
Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem has become a household name among the political class. The name rings a loud bell in the ears of every known politician in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district and entirety of the State. It is on record that every successive administrations in the state from 1997 till date identifies with him because of his sterling leadership style – service.
From his political cradle days as Chairman of Etim Ekpo Local government Area, member of Akwa Ibom State Executive Council for three consecutive terms, immediate past Legal Adviser of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and Director General, Maintain Peace Movement (MPM), Enoidem has displayed unusual traits of a servant leader with his principals.
Great leaders place the common good above their self-interest. Serving in these capacities is a key indication of servant leadership. The term, ‘Servant Leader’ was coined by Robert K. Greenleaf in the servant as leader; an essay that he first published in 1970, in which he explains that the servant-leader is servant first.
It begins with the passion to serve, to serve first! The heart of service and the attitude of serving is what distinguishes servant-leaders from non-servant leaders according to Greenleaf. A conscious choice to serve translates to the aspiration to lead.
In the Bible, Jesus Christ subscribes to the servant-first ideology when He said that he who seeks to lead must first be a servant.
The emergence, and continuous rise over the years of Barr. Emmanuel Enoidem in the political circle has proven to follow a servant-first pattern in all ramifications. This is manifested in the care he has taken to ensure that other people’s needs are given topmost priority.
Barr Enoidem’s leadership style is primarily focused on the growth and well-being of his people and the communities to which he belongs. This is obvious in his unrepentant attitude of turning boys into men in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area. Being a servant-leader, a very rare trait in our clime today, this astute businessman empowers members of his constituent politically, and helps people flourish in their different fields of endeavour.
In deed, Enoidem is humility personified. Full-of-life, jolly good fellow who does not wear his office paraphernalia on his sleeves like some people in lesser offices do.The legal luminary humility can be described as legendary. His servant-leadership style fits the mould described in Greenleaf’s ten servant-leader principle of listening, empathy, healing, awareness, persuasion, conceptualization, foresight, stewardship, commitment to the growth of people and community building.
These principles which fit him as a skin were brought to the fore when he served as a Local Government Chairman, Commissioner, Legal Adviser and today, the Director General, Maintain Peace Movement.
Immediately he assumed office as DG, Maintain Peace Movement, Enoidem led members of his team to traverse the length and breadth of the state, preaching the gospel of peace and unity. As a result, peace was restored in local government areas where it was hitherto an illusion. One such visit was to Ikot Akaiso and Ikot Udoetor both in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area to ascertain the remote causes of communal crisis between the two villages and to restore peace. This could only be achieved by a leader who is compassionate, empathetic and a good listener.
Another trait which is not common with politicians but has attracted respect and commendation to him in the political sphere is a culture of trust.Successive governors in the state have enjoyed working with him because of his confidence, commitment and ability to deliver on any given responsibility entrusted to him. He is a promise keeper despite the circumstances.
Enoidem’s result oriented leadership style as DG, Maintain Peace Movement, has made him a good steward of the responsibility entrusted into his care because the erudite lawyer has given a good account of himself; his driving force remains that leadership can only be meaningful if it is channeled into the advancement of the people’s course.
So why is Enoidem’s servant-leadership style working in Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and state by extension? The MPM DG sees himself as a part of a whole; He plays the role of a captain but believes strongly that the captain is the rallying point of a team. To him, every member of a team is important and should be encouraged to contribute his /her quota to the development of the state.
In summary, Emmanuel Enoidem’s excellent leadership style is the secret of his tremendous success, the unflinching support and respect he has enjoyed from every known political figure in the state.
It is therefore pertinent for the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district to rally around him, give him the necessary support devoid of sentiments and book a seat for him at the Senate as their representative in 2023.
According to John C. Maxwell, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”. Emmanuel Enoidem knows the way and will bring his wealth of experience, trust and political inclusion to bear in his constituency for its betterment.
Umanah, a Journalist,Public Affairs Analyst and Commentator, writes from Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.
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