The Advance National Integrity Movement (ANIM) has reiterated its dedication to fostering unity and advancing the development of Nigeria.
Dr. Abubakar Fakai, the National Leader of ANIM, made this declaration in Abuja during the National Leadership Retreat held under the theme, “Leading with Integrity: Building Resilient Leadership for National Rebirth.”
The retreat brought together young leaders from all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to engage in discussions around national unity, progress, and development.
Dr. Fakai emphasized that the movement would not tolerate anything that threatens the country’s unity and growth. He explained that the retreat’s primary objective was to unite young leaders to collectively address challenges facing the nation.
“The purpose of this gathering is to foster unity among ourselves and determine ways we can work together for the nation’s good. Our shared belief in Nigeria’s unity is unwavering,” he said.
He expressed a deep love for the country and a firm conviction that Nigerians are bound by a common purpose to protect its unity and progress, regardless of political or business interests.
“Our focus is on bridging gaps that undermine unity. Following this retreat, we plan to roll out programmes designed to add value to the nation’s unity and development,” Fakai added.
He also highlighted plans to identify and promote committed young leaders in politics and business, believing that meaningful change requires active participation within the system.
Keynote speaker Dr. Longji Dambok, Chief Officer of Distribution Kingdom Network, spoke on the crucial role of integrity in leadership, stressing that the core challenge in Nigeria and other African countries is not a lack of leadership but a deficit of integrity.
He outlined three pillars vital to leadership: personal integrity, systemic integrity, and cultural integrity. According to Dambok, true leadership begins with the individual embodying honesty and moral uprightness, beyond just following rules or principles.
“Integrity is about who you are, not just what you do. Without personal integrity, corruption is inevitable in any system,” he said.
Dambok further explained that even if individuals act with integrity, a nation cannot succeed if its systems lack ethical foundations. He criticized current systems as corrupt due to the absence of institutionalized integrity.
The final pillar, integrity as a culture, represents the collective way of life where honesty and ethical behaviour become the norm. Dambok cited countries like Singapore and Japan as examples where integrity is deeply embedded in society, resulting in high levels of trust and social responsibility.
“Imagine a place where lost items are returned not because of surveillance but because honesty is the norm. That is the culture we must cultivate in Nigeria,” he said.
Also addressing the retreat, ANIM’s National Patron, Alhaji Nasiru Haladu Danu, highlighted the importance of quality leadership to promote unity and national progress.
He observed that when leaders fail to deliver, divisive issues such as religion often dominate the discourse. Reflecting on his own background, Danu shared his deep ties to Nigeria, particularly the southern region, stating, “I have lived in the south for over 75 years. My family has been there for generations, making me as much a part of the community as anyone born there.”