By Felix Ojo
Iliya Majam’s maiden book, pursuit of integrity in leadership, has received a public presentation with the third launch on September 12th, 2024, at the prestigous Rev. (Dr.) Samuel Tugba’s Hall, ECWA Wuse II, in Abuja, after successive launches in Kaduna and Jos.
The book, along with many literary works that have been conceived for a long time in thoughts, is the first on paper after the author overcome obstacles that have delayed the writing of the book.
Written at a time when the nation is at the crossroads of policy direction, looking for a way out of the numerous challenges, the book pursuit of integrity in leadership is timely.
The author looks at various challenges like infrastructure, lack of trust, corruption, and then confusion, frustration, and disillusionment among leaders and the people. The book ‘pursuit of integrity in leadership’ is the critical need of the hour.
In the book, Dr. Majam made a clarion call to action, a beacon to lead with unwavering moral fortitude.
He pointed at the essence of integrity and its indispensable role in the fabric of effective leadership.
It is a heartfelt plea for leaders to rise above the fray, to lead not just with skill and strategy but with integrity.
According to the author at the launch fireside chat, “I want to be called by a simple name; leadership transcends titles; it is value and impacts that matter,” said Majam.
The author, who said he enjoyed the support of his wife, Becky Majam, expressed his desire for an improved reading culture in society.
“My big concern is the actual reading culture; will people read it?” Also is the desire to see readers willing to change and moving from where they are, to know about integrity, maintain it, talk about it, model it, and be a propagator of goodnews. That is the price to pay for a saner society, and are we willing to pay the price?” Majam asked.
Book reviewer Rev. Peter Sambo describes ‘pursuit of integrity for leadership’ as a book that can change society.
“There is so much here that society needs to wrestle with to make a change. Integrity is the critical need of a safe society. It is the hallmark of impact,” he said.
Sambo, who also served as the chief editor of the book, recommended that the contents of the book be taught at conferences to train people for further impacts.
Prof. Sam Amdii, Chairman of the Day and Chief Launcher, lauded the author for committing himself to become an agent of integrity and stressed the importance of integrity in life.
“For any leader to succeed, he must possess integrity as a quality. Integrity is an instrument in leadership; it will make you accountable and transparent.”
“Integrity is a scarce resource in global demand. A man of integrity must have capacity for control. He should be able to initiate impactful policies, Amdii added.
Amdii therefore enjoined leaders to operationalize various points in the book, saying there must be a relationship between theory and practice.
Azaki Nash, Senior Pastor, ECWA Wuse II, Abuja, commended the author for a job well done.
He described the book as a major contribution to solving global leadership problems.
“Integrity is a global scarce resource and an essential commodity for everyone to imbibe. When there is integrity, there is excellence in leadership,” said Nash.
Dr. Majam holds a degree in Economics from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), an MBA from Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and an MA in Missions and a Doctorate in Missiology from Western Seminary, Portland, Oregon.
He has extensive experience in leadership renewal, discipleship, mentoring, and coaching church leaders across Africa.
He founded the Harvest Leadership Community in Africa (HaLCiA) and taught at ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, before retiring.
Dr. Majam is married to Becky Majam, with two children and two grandchildren, and is an ordained Minister with the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA).
