By Ugwu Ngwu
I met Dr. John Mukoro here at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Plateau State. We flew in together from Abuja having both been nominated by the Princeton Leadership Forum to participate in this course.
Within a few hours of our arrival at Kuru, while we were trying to settle down and understand our environment, Dr. Mukoro gifted me a book that had changed his life. I was not alone. He had gifted virtually all participants and everyone else he comes across with the same book. The book has his name and contacts inside. He tells me that he has given out over 3,000 copies of the book free of charge since he read it.
He gives to lecturers, staff, even our new DG who just resumed, John Mukoro had 5 minutes impromptu with him and gifted him the book.
We have had course to go eating or shopping in groups while here. When we are ready to pay, we’ll be told that Dr. Mukoro has paid for everyone. In tens of thousands.
Yesterday, he had an expensive perfume delivered to my room as gift. Unprovoked. Again, I was not alone. He had perfumes delivered to different participants in their rooms.
He has been handing out health supplements, sweets, Coffee and sundry knick knacks to everyone he comes accross. Without asking. He just always has something to give out.
He is currently undertaking a capital project personally at the Institute which he intends to donate to them upon completion.
The remarkable thing about Dr. Mukoro’s giving is that he is not expecting anything in return. He is not running for office, does not need any favour from you and your paths may likely never cross again. He is unobtrusive and self-effacing, preferring the backgrounds so he is not even giving to be noticed. It is obviously a lifestyle for him. A culture.
He has a thriving business in addition to being a highly sought-after Trainer and Life Coach. He is living the lessons he is teaching people.
You cannot meet Dr. John Mukoro and forget him. Chances are that within 5 minutes, he has given you a gift. Humans are wired to be drawn to givers. Especially when they don’t want anything back in return.
Nobody at NIPSS will be forgetting Dr. John Mukoro in a hurry.
What an intentional way to live. A life of giving and giving.
This is one of the most valuable lessons I will be taking out of Kuru. Learn to live a life of giving.
