LEADERSHIP IS INFLUENCE, NOT POSITION – PROF. JOHNSON
The Vice Chancellor of Salem University, Lokoja, Professor Alewo Johnson Akubo has stated that leadership is responsibility and impact, not merely occupying an office.
He said many people are in the office physically, but only a few actually discharge responsibility, required of them.
He said this in a keynote address to the university community during this year’s commemoration of “Founder’s Day”on Monday 18 May, 2026.
Founder’s Day is a yearly event celebrated at Salem University, to honour the visioner, Archbishop Sam Amaga, who founded the university.
Delivering an incisive and inspiring address on the opening day, the Vice Chancellor charge the staff and students to use their positions creditably for the good of humanity.
According to him, in his address titled “Leaders of Influence”, he remarked that leadership with influence does not make noise, but exudes impact.
“What will you be remembered for, after you may have left this university as a student or as a staff?,” he asked.
He recalled, “On 17th May 2007, Archbishop Sam Amaga decided that Nigeria and by extension Africa, deserved an institution that would form minds and character at the same time. That decision is why we stand here today.”
Professor Johnson, who paid glowing tribute to the excellency of the Founder’s work, maintained that his sacrifice would not be in vain.
He taxed the university community to exhibit the virtue of hard work, in the discharge of their duties.
“Sam Amaga didn’t start Salem University because he had excess money. He started it because he saw a gap. Our nation needed graduates who could think, who could solve problems, who could lead with integrity,” he further stressed.
He maintained, “On this Founder’s Day, I charge you with the same charge Dr sam Amaga gave the first cohort: Don’t just seek to be successful. Seek to be significant. Let your name be associated with solutions, with fairness, with courage, with God.”
Founder’s Day in Salem University is a three-day event, aimed at soul searching in the university’s journey of uncommon sacrifice, resilience and hope.
