Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, has called on Nigerian leaders to embrace sacrifice, accountability and service, declaring that leadership without sacrifice is meaningless.
In an Eid el-Kabir 2026 message issued in Abuja on Tuesday, the Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership reflected on the enduring lessons from the life of Prophet Ibrahim, stressing that public office should be driven by service to humanity rather than personal ambition.
Chidoka said Eid el-Kabir remained a period for deep reflection on values such as obedience, restraint, sacrifice and commitment to a higher purpose.
According to him, “Eid el-Kabir invites reflection on a demanding idea: that what we hold most dear is not finally ours, and that leadership without sacrifice is empty.”
The former minister noted that the story of Prophet Ibrahim extended beyond faith and symbolised duty, obedience and moral responsibility.
“The story of Prophet Ibrahim is not only about faith. It is about duty, obedience, restraint, and the willingness to place a higher purpose above personal comfort or ambition. Those values remain relevant today, especially for those entrusted with public responsibility,” he stated.
Chidoka linked the lessons of the festival to Nigeria’s present socio-economic challenges, including economic hardship, insecurity and growing uncertainty in the global order.
“At a time when many Nigerians are facing economic uncertainty, increasing security challenges, social hardship, and a fractured global order, this season calls for introspection,” he said.
He further emphasised that leadership must prioritise the welfare, dignity and protection of citizens, particularly the vulnerable.
“The public trust exists for the protection of the weak, the dignity of the ordinary, and the security of those yet to come,” he added.
Chidoka also offered prayers for Muslims in Nigeria and across the world, seeking divine guidance, justice and hope for the nation.
“May Allah accept our sacrifices, strengthen our humanity, and guide our nation towards greater justice and hope,” he said.
