A retired Maj.-Gen. and Professor of Military History, Maj.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, on Monday called for the transformation of power and leadership into instruments for social change, national development and service to humanity.

Ibrahim made the call while delivering the 22nd Professorial Inaugural Lecture of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, titled ‘Power, Patriotism and Legacy: A Historian’s Reflection on Leadership Values and the Fate of a Nation.’

He said leadership positions and authority were ordained by God and transient, stressing that what truly mattered was how power was deployed to positively impact lives and advance societal development.

According to him, true leadership was not about wielding authority but about inspiring, empowering and transforming followers for the collective good of society.

Ibrahim saud that for Nigeria to experience a rebirth of national values, leadership and power must be rooted in the people and aligned with their collective aspirations.

He emphasised the need to empower the citizens to hold leaders accountable, adding that historically thriving societies were those that rewarded merit and enforced sanctions against misconduct.

The retired general urged Nigerians to consciously shape their legacy while still in active service, noting that the privilege of citizenship came with the responsibility to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

He said the way individuals responded to national challenges reflected their sense of purpose and commitment to humanity, adding that a good name was more valuable than material wealth.

Ibrahim observed that many leaders often lost sight of service when elevated to positions of authority, describing this as a major disconnect between power, legacy and societal transformation.

He stressed that legacy should be measured by the number of lives positively touched and the enduring impact made on society.

Reflecting on his career, Ibrahim said he was privileged to have served successfully in both the military and academia, attributing his achievements to faith in God, perseverance and commitment to humanity.

He described the military and academia as partners in nation-building, noting that while the military safeguarded territorial integrity, academia generated knowledge for national development.

The professor called for deeper collaboration between the two sectors to enhance national security and development outcomes.

He recommended deliberate efforts to bridge the gap between the military and academia through structured knowledge-sharing, joint research initiatives and policy development.

Ibrahim also advocated the establishment of joint research and innovation hubs, formalised partnerships through memoranda of understanding, and the deployment of senior academics as research fellows in military institutions.

He further urged better utilisation of personnel in the Education Corps and the engagement of retired military scholars in research and higher institutions to sustain capacity-building and national development.

According to him, stronger synergy between the military and academia would create a common front for building a safer, stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.

In his remarks, Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State commended the NDA for sustaining a tradition of intellectual excellence and national service through its Professorial Inaugural Lecture series.

Sule, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Shu’aibu Magaji, described the event as both academically significant and nationally relevant.

He expressed appreciation to the Commandant, management, faculty and entire community of the NDA for the honour of inviting him as Special Guest of Honour.

The Governor also thanked the Academy for the warm reception accorded his delegation, which he said reflected the finest traditions of military discipline, courtesy and professionalism.

Sule paid glowing tributes to the inaugural lecturer, a former Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), describing him as a distinguished scholar-soldier whose life exemplified service, patriotism and enduring national impact.

He said that Ibrahim was an accomplished historian of international repute and a proud son of Nasarawa State, whose achievements in both military and academic careers continued to inspire pride.

According to Sule, Ibrahim’s career represented a rare blend of military professionalism, academic excellence, moral clarity and unwavering commitment to national unity.

He said Ibrahim’s leadership at the NYSC further reinforced his reputation as a reformer, bridge-builder and patriot deeply invested in Nigeria’s future.

The governor described the lecturer’s transition from the battlefield to the classroom as evidence of a legacy rooted in ideas, values and service to humanity.

Earlier, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. Oluyemi Olatoye, described leadership anchored on patriotism, integrity and sound values as critical to Nigeria’s stability and development.

Olatoye, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant, AVM Abdullahi Kirfi Bello said the lecture marked another milestone in the intellectual and professional life of the Academy.

He said the event underscored the NDA’s commitment to academic excellence, rigorous inquiry and the integration of military professionalism with scholarship.

The commandant appreciated Sule for honouring the invitation, stating that his presence symbolised the enduring bond between enlightened political leadership and the pursuit of knowledge as a foundation for national development.

He said the lecture, delivered by Prof. Ibrahim, celebrated scholarship, service and legacy.

According to him, the lecture’s theme was timely, given Nigeria’s current security challenges, social transformation and the quest for renewed national cohesion.

Olatoye said history was not merely a record of past events but a reservoir of lessons that shaped leadership values and determined the destiny of nations.

He added that power, when guided by patriotism, moral restraint and historical consciousness, could serve as a potent instrument for unity, stability and progress.

The commandant urged cadets to draw lessons from the lecture, stressing that as future leaders and defenders of the nation, they bore the responsibility of safeguarding Nigeria’s unity, sovereignty and democratic ideals.

He called on the participants to approach the lecture not only as an academic exercise but as a call to responsibility, noting that the fate of any nation was shaped by the quality of its leadership and the values they upheld.(NAN)