Leadership Redefined: Mobutu’s Gift, Daddah’s Legacy
In 1973, the then Zairian President, General Mobutu Sese Seko, visited Mauritania for three days. At that time, Mauritania was one of the poorest countries in Africa, with an economy that depended on fishing, farming, and sheep herding. During the three days of discussions, President Mobutu noticed that his host, Mauritania’s President Moktar Ould Daddah—the first president of Mauritania after its independence from French colonial rule—did not change his suit throughout the entire visit. Mobutu realized that his host did not have enough money to purchase elegant and expensive suits.
At the conclusion of his visit, while at the departure lounge of Nouakchott Airport, President Mobutu discreetly handed a check for 5 million US dollars to President Ould Daddah’s secretary so as not to embarrass his host. Along with the check, he included a note with the addresses of famous fashion designers in Paris, where Mobutu himself tailored his suits, hoping that President Ould Daddah would also be able to order formal suits and accessories from those houses.
After Mobutu’s departure, the secretary gave the check to President Ould Daddah, explaining that it was a gift from Mobutu for him to buy suits and clothing from Paris. President Ould Daddah immediately handed the check over to Mauritania’s Minister of Finance so that it could be deposited into the state treasury. Later, from this gift money, Mauritania built and equipped the Higher School for Teacher Training, as the country was suffering from an acute shortage in this field due to poverty.
Five years later, in 1978, Mobutu made a stopover in Morocco while returning from the United States and stayed there for a week. When President Moktar learned of his stop in Rabat, he contacted him and invited him to visit Mauritania, even if only briefly. On the way from the airport to the presidential palace in Nouakchott, Mobutu noticed banners in French decorating the streets that read:
“Thank you Zaire – Thank you Mobutu – Thank you for the gift.”
Before the motorcade reached the palace, Mobutu stopped at the Teacher Training School, got out of his car, and, astonished, asked his host about the banners. He asked President Moktar:
“What is this gift that the Mauritanian people are thanking me for? I have only just arrived in Nouakchott an hour ago, and I brought no gifts with me nor gave any gift.”
At that moment, President Moktar smiled and said:
“This is your valuable gift. With the five million dollars you gave me five years ago, we built this Teacher Training School, because our people are in dire need of money to fight illiteracy and poverty.”
Mobutu embraced him and said:
“If only the rest of Africa’s leaders were like you, our continent would not be suffering from illiteracy, ignorance, poverty, and underdevelopment.”
President Moktar replied:
“I receive a monthly salary from the state treasury, so I am not working without pay. That gift of yours belongs to the Mauritanian people. As for my appearance and clothing, it is not right for me to wear the finest global fashions while my people suffer from poverty. With education, we can defeat these plagues and obstacles that hinder our progress.”
It was well known about President Moktar that he lived a simple life, shunning luxury and extravagance. He lived in a modest home with only three rooms.
*A Timeless Lesson in Leadership and Integrity*
This true story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of selflessness, integrity, and prioritizing the people’s needs, offering a valuable lesson to corrupt officials who exploit power for personal gain. President Moktar Ould Daddah’s decision to use the $5 million gift for his country’s betterment exemplifies true leadership.
As Imam Al-Ghazali wisely said, ,*A little water can save you, and a great flood can drown you. Learn always to be content with what you have,* resonating with President Moktar’s humility and simplicity. Mahatma Gandhi’s words also echo this sentiment: *The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.* President Moktar’s selfless leadership inspires others to follow suit. Epictetus’ wisdom further underscores this: *Wealth consists not in having great possessions, but in having few wants.* President Moktar’s modest lifestyle demonstrates true wealth, prioritizing his people’s needs over personal gain. This commitment to service remains a timeless lesson, inspiring leaders and citizens to prioritize the greater good.
Published by the PublicPulse.ng
