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A good leader inspires people to have confidence in him/her, while a great leader... Chevening essay [4]
LEADERSHIP AND INFLUENCE ESSAY
"A good leader inspires people to have confidence in him/her, while a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves. A quote by Golda Mier, former Prime Minister of Israel, this great personality and others like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nelson Mandela, have been a source of inspiration for me.
My first leadership role was during the 4 days state Battalion Camp organized by the Boys Brigade Niger Battalion. I participated in the Camp as a Sergeant boy of the 10th Niger Company 1st ECWA Church Minna. I served as the time-keeper for the duration of the Camp. I was responsible for the notification of all Camp activities such as Drills, Band Rehearsals, Lectures. Due to my dedication to the new post, I was promoted from Sergeant Non-Commission Officer to a Warrant Officer at the Passing Out Parade. This role offered me the opportunity to interact with different platoon leaders, which helped improve my leadership skills, my spiritual, personal and communication skills were also enhanced.
Secondly, during my compulsory national service in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), I served as the President of the Health Community Development Service (CDS) Group of Ikono Local Government Area (LGA) of Akwa Ibom State. The CDS group is made up of fifty Corp Members, which I divided into a team of 10, each with a team leader that reports to me. As a spearhead who was determined to make a positive impact, I organized numerous activities in the Community Secondary Schools, which included seminars, lectures, sensitization and distribution of hand-bills. I made sure the programs were in detail and provided room for questions and answers. As a result, My team was able to influence over two hundred students from the community.
The rate at which students drop out of school, the number of teenage pregnancy and drug abuse has been of increase in my community. As such, I found it incumbent on me to form a teenagers' mentorship program in the church, which I head. Our activities are mainly advising, guiding and counselling teenagers on the effects of drug abuse, personal development and choosing a career path. We have impacted positively in the lives of at least twenty young boys and girls. With this program, I have had the opportunity to serve my community by giving these teenagers the chance to once again believe in themselves.
The leadership roles I have taken over the years have given me the opportunity to influence others, I have been able to create a positive change in my environment. I also believe I will be able to interact in the global network of over 50,000 leaders and influencers, given the chance.