The headline for this post is the title of the book written by Amina Salihu, Ph.D, mni. The book was presented to the public on the 22nd of May at Yar'Adua Centre, Abuja. Lest I forget that the event entailed a triple celebration:
*Presentation of Amina Salihu's (Deputy Director, McArthur Foundation) book to the public. Title of book - Leading with our humanity: Elevating communities through gender equity & social inclusion (GESI)
*Celebration of the National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies (NIPSS) - Senior Executive Course 45. These were classmates of the author, Amina Salihu...
*The yearly Colloquium of 'The School of Politics', founded by Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (Former Minister - Nigeria & Former Vice President, World Bank)
Spoken word by Asinat the Poet caught my attention:
They told us that community is a location
But community is a promise
Community is the centre
When we don't lead with humanity
Then our sisters are stripped by vulture-like men
This is becoming normal
Whole families left homeless in their home territories
We say 'no' to inequality, to being treated without equity
Tired of keeping quiet in the face of bullies just to keep safe
This is our reality
But we must do better
Let's lead with our humanity...
Then came Ms. Toyin Akinniyi (Vice President Africa - Luminate):
We must all lead with our humanity whenever we can - Lima Buwi
It's a call to our inner courage, which if we pay attention, is always present in a way. Development is freedom. But freedom is not distributed equally when GESI is absent.
Amina Salihu
If losing my voice for one day could elicit so much disruption for me and others, then I can imagine the everyday reality for those who are deaf and/or cannot talk! We should lead with the power of our philosophy, not just our voices. We need more positive collaborations like the 'G4'. Your job as a humane intercessor is never done, so keep learning. This book will challenge your 'who gets a seat at the table decisions'. I hope we nurture a better world through this book. At an earlier forum, Amina described herself as an 'Activator Feminist' - a catalyst that activates noble causes. See for example, dayokusa.blogspot.com/2025/03/nigeria-peer-review-community-of.html
Amina was given a gift by members of NIPSS Senior Executive Course 45. Dr. Salihu then went on to verbalise some nuggets:
*Power is most visible in what it takes...The Village Square Conversation: Politics is local, everything is political. Everyone must count. The grassroots can teach the blade of the grass some truth.
*Don't take grassroots people for granted. How does every penny we spend improve the lives of the citizens, especially the rural dwellers?
*Bring gratitude and appreciative inquiry into every discourse
Every March 8, International Women's Day, I write two letters: One to a male icon and the other to a female icon. To be in a community is to co-create innovative issues. We must elevate our communities if we are to rise...
Snipets from the book
*Barr. Chinwe Ndubueze mni (EFCC/Senior Executive Course 1994) - read page 32 xxii para1. 'Keep actors shaping GESI
*Abubakar Sadiq Umar read para 2, page 3, chapter 3.
'We have always placed people at the centre of our work, honouring the world in which we live and serve. It could hardly be otherwise with Kole Shettima, member Leadership Advisory Team...The question is always asked: 'How does our work improve the quality of life of the poor, for every penny we spend?'
*Ishaya Bako (ED Bako Studios)
We should drive change through values. Change does not occur in isolation. Attending to the ecosystem ensures equity. Emphasis then shifts from short term outputs to long term positive transformation...
*Toun Okewale-Sonaiya (Chair, Board of Directors Women Radio): page 126 on GESI
We should appoint dedicated gender staff. Story-telling can promote gender norms at the community level.
*Prof. Stanley Udedi, mni read chapter 18, page 176
There should be practical GESI workplan guide for teams and allies in every practice. The Participation, Action, Reach & Knowledge (PARK) framework is a practical GESI workplace guide designed for busy policymakers.
*Medina (Grade 5, 'Not Forgotten' FCT School) read page 231
Mercedes luxury buses are of course in a class of their own. They have re-invented the English language, turning it on its head and truly owning it like a sort of extended family member's right to name the child - after all, we are related to the English by colonialism.
*Hajia Amina Jumba Bida read page 231
'Summary of blessings'...Risks, opportunities, reaching the target audience at the right time...We are inclusive.
It was then announced that there's an abridged version of the book with foreword by Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi (Former First Lady of Ekiti State/Co-Founder AMANDLA)
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili (Founder School of Politics - SPPG/Former President World Bank)
I founded SPPG because I realised that if we do not groom a more credible alternative to the contemporary process of selection and mentoring into the political process, then we as Nigerians will remain stuck! At SPPG we are raising the next generation of leaders ethically. GESI should remain the framework for inclusivity in our society...Community is not geographic alone. The theme for the annual SPPG Colloquium this year is quite apt: Community acting as one is the antidote to bad governance...
A major take home for me was the fact that the Book Presentation was not seen as a money-making venture as is the case with similar endeavours. The book was given free of charge to all attendees. Those who came very late and could not get copies can scan the back of the pamphlet for the event and download the book for free! This is the way to go. Congrats to Amina Salihu and her incrdible team for this professionally packaged event. I wish you more ink in your pen...
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