Ikeja, Lagos – The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy set the stage for a pivotal moment at the second edition of the Lagos Leadership Summit, where Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, issued a strong call for a new era of leadership in Nigeria.
Addressing a distinguished audience, Dr. Hamzat emphasized the urgent need for leaders defined by integrity, vision, and a genuine commitment to national development, rather than mere longevity in public office. His remarks struck a chord among participants, reinforcing the importance of a values-driven approach to governance as the country looks toward a more sustainable and progressive future.
Delivering a keynote address at the Lagos Leadership Summit, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, a seasoned public servant, passionately argued that Nigeria’s future depends on cultivating leaders who exemplify integrity, courage, foresight, and a true commitment to serving the people. Genuine leadership should be measured by these values, rather than by the mere accumulation of years in political office, he said. Their claim to statesmanship should not be rooted in the duration they have occupied office, but rather in the tangible and enduring contributions they have made towards constructing a robust and prosperous nation.
Drawing upon the insights of renowned leadership author John Maxwell, Dr. Hamzat reinforced the sentiment that a true leader is one who “knows the way, shows the way, and goes the way.” He elaborated on this, stressing that effective leadership must forge a compelling national vision anchored firmly in the principles of ethical governance, truthfulness, and selfless service.
With unwavering conviction, the Deputy Governor stated that integrity and demonstrable honesty form the bedrock of effective leadership. He noted that the very essence of a leader’s role demands transparent communication, the cultivation of trust, and unwavering moral clarity. Deeds must align with words, Dr. Hamzat asserted, his gaze sweeping across the assembled audience of emerging and established leaders. “Information disseminated must be truthful and imbued with compassion.”
Beyond the qualities of individual leaders, Dr. Hamzat cast a revealing light on the vital role of responsible citizen participation and a free, yet accountable, press in shaping the nation’s future. He urged Nigerians to break free from the grip of superficial politics, condemning the corrosive practice of trading short-term material handouts for political loyalty. Enduring progress, he argued, can only be achieved through leaders who champion meaningful change, not those who exploit immediate needs for fleeting advantage.
“Criticizing leadership is easy,” he said. “But true change demands that citizens, too, rise to the occasion. The era of exchanging votes for crumbs must end. It must be left behind as a relic of a past that has no place in the future we seek to build.”
Earlier in the summit, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, the Executive Secretary of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, articulated the profound significance of the event. She portrayed it not merely as a conference, but as a decisive force engineered to drive national transformation. “We are actively cultivating a powerful movement comprising youthful pioneers, innovative creatives, insightful lawmakers, determined reformers, and dedicated builders who possess the courage to challenge the existing norms,” Ms. Agbaje-Okunade declared with palpable enthusiasm. “Let us collectively elevate the standard of leadership, operate with unyielding integrity, and leave behind a legacy that truly holds profound and lasting meaning.”
The Lagos Leadership Summit, a significant initiative by the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, served as a vital platform, bringing together a diverse spectrum of both emerging and established leaders. The primary goal of the gathering was to collaboratively explore innovative avenues for shaping a prosperous future for Lagos State and the broader Nigerian nation, one that is both intentional and enduring.
