ROBIN S. Sharma, a Canadian writer and lawyer, known for his ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ book series, once described leadership as “not about a title or a designation, but about impact, influence and inspiration.” Impact, according to him involves getting results; while influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work. Corroborating this, John C. Maxwell said: “A leader knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” The thoughts of these great philosophers and leaders beleadersibe Prince Adewumi Adefemi Samuel, popularly known as PAAS.
For Prince Adewumi, leadership qualities and a keen passion for human and environmental development are by instinct! He could be said to have been well groomed as a leader, and developer of the people and the society right from his childhood, having been born into the royal dynasty of the Olowuro of Orun-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Zacchaeus Oluwatosin Aderounmu Adewumi (Omuyomade I).
Ice on the cake of his leadership qualities and passion for the development of his people is his managerial skills and thirst for learning. His academic background; first degree in Computer Science (Information Systems) from Babcock University and Masters’s in Mobile Telecommunications Management from the prestigious University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) in the UK, and a professional certification in Management from the Nigeria Institute of Management (NIM), are also proven confirmations of his ability to manage not only men but also resources.
Among other things, PAAS’s close associates could testify to his natural willingness to always strive towards positively impacting, influencing and inspiring the people around him. As a result, PAAS is a name being mentioned with increasing popularity at all corners of the city of Lagos. From his Orun-Ekiti hometown to many countries in Europe and America among other continents, people are talking about the man whose core hobby is rendering humanitarian services.
This is due to his various volunteer work. Notable is his contribution to the development of some local communities in Jalingo, Taraba State, while observing the compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2009. His laudable efforts and contributions led to his emergence as the President of, the Tourism Community Development Service Group. He coordinated local community development projects and went the extra mile to publicize and enhance the Tourism potentials of the state and designed relevant programmes to build and enhance cordial relationships between Corps members and the host community and Taraba State at large.
After his youth service, he continued his selfless service by joining the Rotaract Club, a service, leadership, professional and community service organization, where he served meritoriously in different capacities within and outside the shores of Nigeria.
Proving that the elasticity of his patriotism and development is limitless, Prince Adewumi, during his Postgraduate studies at the University of Glamorgan (now the University of South Wales) in 2013, became the International Students Mentor for the Faculty of Advanced Technology. In this capacity, he helped new students to familiarize themselves with the University facilities both online and on-campus; helped the new students in adjusting and settling into a new environment. He was also the LifeStraw (Rotary Club of Brynmawr, Wales) Ambassador to Nigeria through which he created awareness of LifeStraw by organizing seminars and fundraising events. He was also the In-District Representative of Rotary Crocus for Rotary in Great Britain and Ireland, a Global Polio Eradication Initiative.
After his postgraduate degree, Prince Adewumi worked in both national and international reputable organizations and various capacities, among which are Fluorinet Digital Limited, a digital media agency, and Makasa Sun Nigeria Limited, a telecommunication maintenance and support servicing company.
The recent declaration of Prince Adewumi Adefemi Samuel to represent the people of Ise-Orun Constituency at the Ekiti State House of Assembly, no doubt, would not only benefit his constituent, but the whole of Ekiti, as this would give him a better pedestal to extend the tentacle of his humanitarian services and contributions to the society. Over the years and across the lands, he has largely contributed to the development of the community by sponsoring and organizing vocational training for the youth and unemployed. To ensure that teenagers are timely keyed into the developmental goals and objectives of a better nation, PAAS has also actively mentored the youths via viable various platforms.
A risk taker, decisive, competitive and competent PAAS is not petty and impulsive, but he is logical, calculative, independent and ready to engage in challenging and more tasking jobs. Not only that, he is emotionally stable and financially disciplined.
Above all, he is a realist and a humanist.
But perhaps better than any words this writer can muster is the man PAAS’s own words on his commission on this planet Earth.
“No doubt, being born in a royal family, an heir to the reigning Olowuro of Orun-Ekiti, His Royal Majesty, Oba Zacchaeus Oluwatosin Aderounmu Adewumi (Omuyomade I), is a contributing factor to my love for humanity and the development of my society. But more than that. I see the rendition of humanitarian services as my commission here on earth. It is just natural to me. I am passionate about people and their issues; how do I help them? That is all I am about. I find fulfilment in helping and contributing to humanity and developing my society. I always seek better ways to do this, on a larger scale.”
*Mimiola, an award-winning journalist and media entrepreneur writes from Abuja.
