Leadership With Emphaty: The Unbeatable Side Of Governor Ododo

By Oladele John Nihi

Leadership is often assessed by the number of projects executed, policies formulated, resources attracted or political structures built. Beyond these visible indices, however, lies a quality rarely captured in official records but deeply felt by the people — empathy.

Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings, struggles and aspirations of others and to respond with genuine concern.

In governance, it is the human face of power; a reminder that government is ultimately about people.

This is the side of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s leadership that deserves greater attention.

Since assuming office on January 27, 2024, Governor Ododo has demonstrated that leadership is not merely about occupying an office, but about appreciating the weight of responsibility it carries.

His style blends authority with humility, decisiveness with compassion, and governance with a strong sense of humanity. That balance is what sets him apart.

Power often creates walls and protocol builds barriers. The demands of office can make leaders inaccessible to the very people they were elected to serve.

But Governor Ododo has been deliberate about not allowing the office to change the man. His engagements with workers, youths, students, traditional institutions, market women, political stakeholders and ordinary citizens have consistently placed people at the centre of governance.

This disposition is most evident in his relationship with the workforce.

For instance In a country where salary arrears and pension backlogs have become a sore point, Governor Ododo’s administration’s commitment to prompt payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities has restored dignity to labour and confidence in government. It is empathy expressed through policy.

As someone whose responsibilities bring me close to the youth and student constituency, I have keenly observed the Governor’s disposition towards young people.

The youth are not just leaders of tomorrow; they are critical stakeholders in today’s governance. They deserve to be heard, empowered and given meaningful opportunities to contribute to the development of the state.

Governor Ododo understands this. His administration has moved beyond rhetoric to concrete actions especially in
Launching the Kogi State Youth Database to centralise youth data for planning, mentorship and opportunity-matching.

He also Empowered over 250 youths through the Ododo Youth Empowerment and Skills Acquisition Programme with vocational training and starter packs.

In Student Welfare, the Governor re-introduction and payment of bursary allowances to Kogi State students in tertiary institutions and the provision of N29.8 million financial support to 1,490 NYSC members serving in the state is second to non in the state.

The Governor has also Included the National Youth Council of Nigeria in the state budget and prompt payment of its subvention for the first time, as well as endorsement of initiatives like the Kogi Youth Security Summit.

For me, this is not politics. It is an investment in the future. A government that genuinely cares about its young people creates platforms for them, listens to their concerns, supports their aspirations and gives them reason to believe their future can be built at home.

Beyond the youth space, Governor Ododo’s empathy has reflected in other people-centred interventions in expansion of health insurance coverage for vulnerable groups, agricultural support and palliatives to cushion economic hardship for farming households, continued investment in education and infrastructure, and an open-door policy at Government House that has made government more accessible.

These may not always make screaming headlines, but they matter to the market woman, the student, the okada rider and the retiree.

Every administration has its strengths and areas that require improvement. No government is perfect, and responsible citizenship demands constructive engagement at all times.

But acknowledging progress should not become a casualty of political differences.

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo has shown that leadership can wear the face of humility.

He has demonstrated that strength does not require arrogance and that authority need not eliminate accessibility.

His empathy is not a weakness; it is his unbeatable strength.

Oladele John Nihi is the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kogi State on Youth and Student Matters. He writes from Lokoja.