Adebayo Adeleke is a dynamic leader with global insights on a wide array of issues. He is passionate about seeing a human world that works. As an example of how immigrants have immensely contributed and sacrificed in making America the great nation it is today, he is committed to changing the negative narratives of immigrant in the US and raising visionary leaders. In this interview with DESMOND OKON, he talks about his work through his foundation and his time as a US soldier. Excerpts:
For the benefit of our readers, may we know your background?
My name is Adebayo Adeleke, managing partner at Pantote Solutions LLC (Dallas, TX), principal partner, Senior Supply Chain Consultant for Epot Consulting Limited, and Lecturer in Supply Chain Management at the Sam Houston State University.
I am a retired U.S Army Major with over 20 years of military service and multiple combat tours. I was born in Ilesa, Osun State, Nigeria, and I spent my formative years in the ancient city of Ile-Ife. I left Nigeria after my secondary school education and joined the United States Army. I’ve spent the last 20 years fighting and participating in the global war against terrorism. This experience offered me the opportunity to build my tactical and strategic leadership abilities, and appreciate different cultures. The experience has been humbling, eye-opening, engaging, inspiring, and educating.
What is Rising Leadership Foundation about, and what inspired you to start it?
Rising Leadership Foundation was inspired by the aphorism – Rising Tides lift all boats’. Traveling around the globe allowed me to visit countries with little or no natural resources and see how they successfully developed their economy. On the other hand, I also got the opportunity to see countries with an abundance of resources struggling to develop.
RLF was created to help third world countries bridge the gap. I believe that if the human capital in these countries is trained and mentored, the rate of development in their country will improve.
How has RLF impacted the African immigrant community in the Diaspora?
RLF’s modus operand is to sharpen leadership narratives using technology and mentoring. It does not focus on the current leadership disposition because there’s little that can be done to change it. We strongly believe that we can shape the leadership of the future.
The foundation is currently engaging African Immigrant Communities in the US on global opportunities. We do this by exposing them to their counterparts and international organisations that are excelling globally. This way they are inspired to do more for their home communities, and the world at large. Teenagers and youths in the US believe that they don’t need to know what their counterparts are doing. This is a misguided ideology. The foundation is providing a hub where technology and ideas are fused to create solutions, by doing this, we are positioning the African immigrant to share ideas with their global counterparts. With the hub, young leaders will use technology to tackle local and global issues.
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The hub is a safe place for African teenagers all around America to meet and discuss their communal issues. RLF will also provide them with the opportunity to be paired with a mentor in relevant industries. African immigrants, or anything of immigrant origin, have been attached to negative narratives. I believe that we need to remember that a high percentage of American industries were created by immigrants and immigrants contribute greatly to the economy of the US. RLF will continue to reinforce these narratives and champion the new narrative for the immigrant community.
Research shows that your workshop locations are only in the US. What plans do you have to connect with Nigerians through your training?
Our plans are not only for the US. We have detailed plans to engage and develop young African leaders via fellowship programs. We also have leadership exchange programs among African young leaders and global leaders. Additionally, we plan to create a mentorship platform for young African leaders to engage mentors globally. This, we believe will foster the necessary energy to bridge the leadership and governance gaps.
What are the most pressing concerns you have about governance in Nigeria, and by extension, Africa?
From my perspective, the most pressing concern about governance in Nigeria and Africa is the collective understanding of service. What does it mean to serve? Can better governance be created through service? I believe that the core competency of African leadership and governance is deeply rooted in the idea of service. If the continent can get that right, every other aspect of leadership and governance that is being plagued will become non-existent.
How is your organisation helping to address those concerns?
One major goal of RLF is to help develop and create a platform to understand what service is all about. The idea of servicing a cause that is greater than oneself is strange in certain corridors.
RLF wholeheartedly believes that through service, ideologies plaguing leadership and governance in Africa can be addressed. There is no curriculum to train or teach service, it is only done through actions and we have been proactive enough to make sure that service is entrenched in all our activities.
As a profound and dynamic leader, what is your take about leadership in Nigeria?
I believe that Nigeria sees leadership development as an afterthought. There is no deliberate action towards developing leadership frameworks to foster posterity and groom young leaders. Until the country produces progressive leaders, it cannot make the needed transition from its current disposition to a place of competitive advantage.
Are there any other projects you are working on and why should we look forward to them?
We are partnering with several non-profit organisations in Africa that are aligned with our values and vision. We believe that through deliberate collaborations we can reach more communities.
RLF will add two programmes next year- Solve It, and the African Youth Symposium. ‘Solve It’ is a programme that brings young Africans in the Diaspora together to solve certain communal issues. We are confident that this will foster growth and help these young leaders contribute their quota to their local community’s development.
RLF will also be developing a framework symposium where young African leaders can discuss, and proffer solutions to issues plaguing their country, the continent, and the world at large.
