Pan-Atlantic University (PAU) hosted its 19th Inaugural Lecture on Friday, September 19, 2025, titled: Leading with Compassion and Courage: A Flight Plan for Elephant or a Trek Through Thorns? delivered by Professor Okechukwu Ethelbert Amah, a distinguished scholar of leadership and organisational behaviour at Lagos Business School (LBS). The lecture brought together faculty, students, industry leaders, and dignitaries to reflect on the role of values-based leadership in driving organisational and societal transformation.
In his lecture, Professor Amah underscored the essence of leadership as a tool for both individual and collective advancement. “An effective leader drives people and productivity,” he stated, emphasising that the true measure of leadership is not only in achieving results but also in enabling people to flourish. “True leadership is a fair balance of compassion and courage.” A deficiency in either of the two will pose challenges to making real change and achieving impact.
Professor Amah further reiterated the importance of ethical values, accountability, and vision in tackling challenges facing organisations and society at large. He called on universities to not only equip graduates with technical skills but also instil in them the values that prepare them for service and nation-building.
In her remarks, Professor Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University, commended Professor Amah for his scholarly contribution. “This was indeed a remarkable lecture that reflects the very essence of Pan-Atlantic University”. Pan-Atlantic University is committed to forming leaders who are ethical and who will build a better society in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Following the thought-provoking lecture, guests were treated to a cocktail and networking session, where they shared practical ideas on integrating ethical leadership into corporate and public governance. The event ended with many participants expressing their appreciation for Professor Amah and highlighted key insights they had gained from the lecture.
About Professor Okechukwu E. Amah
Professor Okechukwu Ethelbert Amah is a scholar of leadership and organisational behaviour at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, where he also serves as Research Director. He holds degrees in Petroleum Engineering, Business Administration, and a PhD in Organisational Behaviour. Before academia, he spent over two decades in senior leadership roles at Chevron Nigeria Limited. His research and publications focus on leadership, ethics, and work-life integration, and he is dedicated to raising values-driven leaders for Africa and beyond.