Ex Minister Unveils FCC Vision for Africa’s Rebirth at Rotary DisCon 2025
Former Aviation Minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre, Chief Osita Chidoka, has called on African leaders to embrace fundamental values and discipline as the foundation for national transformation.
He made this known during his keynote speech at the Rotary International District 9142 Conference on Saturday in Awka, Anambra State, where he unveiled a leadership framework rooted in the principles of Family, Community, and Country (FCC).
He said “We suffer not only from poor governance, but from a failure of leadership formation”.
Chidoka challenged African leaders to reflect on the systems that shape them. “You cannot give what you don’t have. Too many leaders were broken at home before they ever assumed office.”
Citing the colonial legacy of African states as extraction tools rather than service institutions, Chidoka emphasized that development must go beyond physical infrastructure. “We have built states without societies, governments without guardianship, economies without inclusion, and cities without citizens,” he said.
The FCC Vision: A Moral and Civic Blueprint
Chidoka’s FCC model lays out a moral architecture for leadership and national identity:
Family: The “first institution where power is introduced,” shaping values and moral compasses. Too many leaders were broken at home before they ever assumed office. If Africa must rise, the family must be restored as a moral leadership school.”
Community: A place where shared values and collective aspirations are lived. They are the bridges between individuals and the broader society. “Rotary is a community bound by Service Above Self,” he said.
Country: He noted that a country is a geographical idea; a nation is a shared moral contract. Nigeria’s motto, Unity and Faith, Peace and Progress, is hollow without equity, justice, and truth. We must build a nation where justice is predictable, opportunity is earned, and every citizen matters.
“A strong family raises a principled citizen. A strong community tests that citizen. A just country gives them a platform to lead,” he said.
Chidoka’s speech drew a standing ovation from hundreds of Rotarians, culminating in a spontaneous and unanimous vote to induct him as a Rotarian on the spot.
Speaking at the occasion, District Governor Professor A.U. Nnonyelu described the moment as historic. “Today, we witnessed the embodiment of our creed — Service Above Self. Osita Chidoka has not only spoken truth to power but power to service,” he said.
Toward a National Ideologue
Chidoka’s message further call for Nigeria’s civic space. Observers see his FCC vision as a rallying point for reform-minded leaders and citizens seeking ethical renewal in public life.
He added, “Rotary succeeds where governments fail, because it is founded on empathy, equity, and shared purpose. Africa, in our families, communities, and countries, must return to those principles.”
About Rotary District 9142 and Athena Centre
Rotary International District 9142 includes nearly 2,000 members in over 90 clubs across seven Nigerian states. Based in Awka, Anambra State, it promotes peace, education, public health, and environmental sustainability.
The Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership is a research institute (Think Tank) operating at the junction of theory and practice in public policy and leadership.
Additionally, he reaffirmed their commitment to providing innovative and evidence-based solutions for global and local challenges in the thematic areas of Education, Health, Governance, West Africa Regional Studies, Transportation, and Security.
Media Contact: Aliyu Jalal, Media Adviser, Athena Centre for Policy & Leadership
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.athenacentre.org
