Robert Orya: Leadership Defined in Selflessness -By Emmanuel Lubem Akosi

Mahatma Ghandi, India’s famous civil rights Activist had said that, ‘The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others’. Ghandi’s non violent and civil disobedience approaches to leadership thrive basically on human feelings, needs and aspirations. Chief Robert Orya’s conformist standards to similar school of thought baring classical noble undertakings in both public and private circles may be boldly argued to have largely thrived on these unique approaches to leadership/followership paradigms. Some of the very celebrated achievements and antecedents of this rare persona had practically continued to stimulate a refreshed discourse on the minds of commentators as to who he is, and how manifestly clear he has come to entrench a turnaround on humanity. His remarkable footprints overtime, particularly as MD, Nigerian Export Import Bank (NEXIM), does evidently leaves no one in doubt regarding his belief system well acknowledged to have been influenced on progressive ideals and the altruistic mandate to clearly mark out positive standards and dignity for mankind.

While Orya held sway as MD, NEXIM Bank, he did consistently inspired beliefs and thoughts systems in expressing exemplary leadership conducts which were in close affinity with the people he fervently represented; empowering them roundly by giving several jobs to them whilst openly availing substantial loans to entrepreneurs and business men and women to achieve business successes in their various engagements.

Robert Orya, prior to his assumption of office as MD NEXIM, he would practically make a remarkable turnaround of the near-moribund Bank, almost on the verge of collapse with a profile of huge debt , and much losses. But a shrewd insightful Orya full of capacity began utilizing his vision, expertise, managerial capacities and with a mystique rand brought the Bank’s operations and successes back to life to the admiration of many while he lasted in the saddle for 6 years beginning from June, 2009. Orya’s first year strategic plan was anchored primarily on – Strategy, Risk Management, Processes, Operations, Financial Performance and the People. In his first year, the Bank recorded considerable profits. Dividends were made and paid and NEXIM was positioned to an internationally recognized status. He entrenched a motivated and productive workforce, with records non to beat.

While he held sway, he employed not less than 15 Benue indigenes with atleast two of them rising to become Assistant General Managers (AGMs).

As a resouceful manager and leader of immense credibility, Orya fully became aware of his people’s despicable economic conditions, which has been further agonized by evident hunger and business potentials. He gave out loans roundly to them, making the Nigerian informal terrain much viable and productive. Like Ghandi, he attended gracefully to his people, shared in their predicament with striking donations and assistance when it mattered, with a self-sacrificing aim of making them recover on their original essence to life and feel more dignified.

Indeed in less than 6 years at the NEXIM he had ensured striking impacts across to include federal placements and employment of people, economic empowerment, and scholarships largely to the admiration and benefit of mankind.

In recognition of Robert Orya’s flourishing exploits, he was later crowned and elected President G-EXIM with countries of the South America, Asia , Middle East and Africa as members headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Little wonder the Senate Committee had unanimously described the visionary Orya as ‘God sent to Nigeria at NEXIM’ when his visions of transformation became glaring.

Very renowned Authors of contemporary Nigerian politics and leadership models have variously closed in on this uncommon personality and symbol of altruism, and in their varied opinions arrived at same consistent valid conclusions that indeed, this recognized manager of men and resouces for measurable reasons have tangibly entrenched very meaningful bearings in the lives of the people and the world around them; quite an impressive feat and certainly unmatched leadership expressions in contemporary Nigerian leadership discourse .

Robert Orya’s very exceptional humanist and benevolent approaches to leadership had profoundly created the nucleus of discourse and insightful raison d’etre in what is best termed “distinct selflessness” where the people’s wellbeing and aspirations stand supreme and are pursued with higher vigor far above self.

In the recents times as Director of the new Benue Hotels, he has brought excellence and turned around the successes of the hotel into an international hub for tourists and visitors. That the new Benue Hotels under the Sterling management of Chief Robert Orya has received recognition as a Five Star Hotel with non to beat in the entire Northern Nigeria is not in doubt. Orya became the desired deus ex machina bringing enormous success in the private sector utilizing the almost moribound Benue Hotels to the admiration of many, with several Benue younger elements in his employ receiving optimum job satisfaction.

His commitment towards enhancing the functionality, efficiency and effectiveness of the new Benue Hotels is indeed commendable.

In the same drive, and optimally realizing the inherent opportunities in education as well as its potent tool of liberation, Orya moved with chirpy selflessness and began to largely encourage adequate spread of scholarship and assistance to the younger Benue elements without clannish barriers.

Robert Orya’s very exceptional altruistic drive to expand the frontiers of knowledge possibly swells inexhaustibly as a careful cursor leaves no one in doubt about this accomplished leader’s resilience in this sector. To many observers, his outstanding benevolence only evokes volumes of a true patriot, leader, reformist which Robert Orya has come to be known and appreciated for.

To this down to earth public figure who is certainly not oblivion of the hard economic times that still stares his people and the entire Benue state. In his expansive policy to improve the peoples lot, through other ventures, Orya has continued to bring back the essence of living to many by placing them under his direct employ and dignifying their status for good.

AKOSU , Emmanuel Lubem

Public Affairs Commentator

07038578549