As Nigeria grapples with the challenges of governance and public trust, a national group, the Advance National Integrity Movement (ANIM), has issued a strong call for a new era of leadership anchored on integrity, accountability, and service.
This call was made during the ANIM National Leadership Retreat held in Abuja, themed: “Leading with Integrity: Building Resilient Leadership for National Rebirth.”
The event gathered influential figures from public service, traditional institutions, civil society, youth groups, and the private sector, all committed to reshaping Nigeria’s leadership culture through ethical governance and value-based leadership.
Integrity: The Soul of Leadership
Speaking at the retreat, Dr. Abubakar Sadiq Sa’adu (Fakai), Convener and National Leader of ANIM, said Nigeria must institutionalize ethical leadership to address its deep-rooted governance issues.
“No nation can rise above the quality of its leadership,” he said.
“This retreat seeks to reawaken our collective moral conscience and inspire a culture of integrity, unity, and accountability in public service.”
Dr. Sa’adu emphasized the importance of succession planning and mentorship, built on ethical values, to ensure sustainable national development.
Integrity as a Person, System, and Culture
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Longji Tuta Dambok, CEO of Distribution Kingdom Network, introduced a powerful framework — describing integrity as not just a personal trait, but a system and national culture.
“Leadership without integrity is leadership without soul. Resilience without ethics is blind strength,” Dr. Dambok stated.
“When integrity becomes a national culture — not the exception but the norm — societies rise and institutions thrive.”
National Unity Through Ethical Leadership
Other dignitaries, including Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, Dr. Chukwudi Dimkpa, and Alhaji Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, echoed the central message of the retreat: Nigeria’s unity and progress depend on leadership rooted in integrity and trust.
“No nation can thrive without the twin virtues of integrity and unity,” said Alhaji Danu.
Delegates Push for Institutional Reform
During dialogue sessions, delegates from across Nigeria called for bold reforms to entrench ethical leadership in governance.
Hon. Zainab Buba Galadima emphasized adherence to ethical standards in public institutions.
Dr. Nura Bello advocated for mechanisms that rebuild civic trust and strengthen institutional accountability.
Key Resolutions from the ANIM Retreat
The retreat concluded with five major resolutions aimed at driving a leadership transformation in Nigeria:
- Institutionalizing ethics and integrity across public and private sectors.
- Formation of a Leadership Implementation Committee to guide post-retreat actions nationwide.
- Creation of a Leadership Charter for National Rebirth with measurable benchmarks for ethical governance.
- Development of mentorship and leadership capacity-building programs.
- Policy advocacy to integrate ANIM’s values into national and state-level governance frameworks.
- A Call to Action for Nigeria’s Future
Closing the retreat, Dr. Sa’adu described the event as a “renaissance of conscience” and a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s leadership transformation.
“The journey to a new Nigeria begins with each of us. Let us therefore lead with integrity, serve with resilience, and build a nation worthy of its destiny,” he declared.
