Create structures that align with Nigeria’s dream, Hamzat charges political leaders

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has stated that for Nigeria’s future to be strong and cemented, the country has to deal with the question of creating structures and institutions that align with the nation’s dream and vision, saying that this can only be realised through competent and visionary leaders.

The deputy governor stated this on Thursday, while speaking as a keynote speaker at the Lateef Kayode Jakande Academy (LKJA) Lagos Leadership Summit, themed: “Transformative Leadership: Developing Responsive, Adaptive, and Inclusive Models,” which took place at Konga Place Elegushi, Lekki.

Hazmat said there was also the need for the country to foster a culture of doing right, through which identified values can be available to all, regardless of status and primordial cleavage, sadly noting that as of today, Nigeria had not fully transcended the limit of claims to ethnicity and religious affiliations whenever national issues were discussed.

This was just as he observed that nations across the globe were built from shared history, especially of collective successes, which, according to him, “draws the heart of members to a heritage that they are proud of, and helps in overcoming their present challenges, offering the unique opportunities to do just that.”

“For the future of Nigeria to be strong and cemented, it has to deal with the question of creating structures and institutions, a culture of doing right, through which identified values can be available to all, regardless of status and primordial cleavages that more often than not resonates within our public discourse. Today, we have a nation that has not fully transcended the limit of claims to ethnicity and religious affiliations when national issues are discussed,” the deputy governor said.

Hamzat, therefore, enjoined the leadership to ensure a new vision of Nigeria, a nation that serves its citizens by creating the enabling environment for progress and self-development, saying that they should create a nation where the capacity of its citizens were given expression and foisted on the international level.

The deputy governor emphasized that some of the traits of good leaders include: effective communication, creating a vision, honesty, integrity, among others, saying that Nigerians must build a culture that reinforces the values and ethos that support the dream of a new Nigeria.

Besides, he stressed that leaders at different levels must be people imbued with vision, the capacity to attract and deploy human and material resources, saying that above all, they should be men and women of high moral standing and integrity.

According to him, Nigeria needs a leader who has the courage to confront present day challenges, and also be a man of integrity and focus, stressing that without integrity and demonstrated honesty, no leader can be effective.

He further stressed that a lot of successful institutions all over the world needed individuals, or their citizens, to build and sustain them, adding that active and responsible citizenship was equally critical in the development of a nation or an institution.

Speaking further, Dr. Hamzat posited that a free and responsible media was required to peddle a new narrative that promotes the good about the nation over and above the ills, adding that while there were a lot of comments on the leadership, followership must be ready for change.

“The days of accepting pittance in the name of stomach infrastructure cannot be our ways,” Hamzat said.

The deputy governor, while commending the Academy for remaining steadfast since its inauguration, in preparing the next generation of leadership within the Lagos State Public Service for the task ahead, noted that many of its alumni were already impacting the service with ideas, innovations, and demonstrated commitment to preparing for the service of the future.

On the theme of the Summit, Hamzat noted that it represented the Academy’s desire to create a compelling and pragmatic framework within which leaders can interpret roles correctly and effectively guide all to the overall vision of building a community of shared values and interests, adding that it was a copious effort to solve a problem that seemed “pervasive and elusive to us as a nation.”

The Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, earlier in her welcome address, said that the Summit created a unique space for emerging leaders, policymakers, and business executives to engage in thought-provoking discussions on transformative leadership, economic realities, governance, and the role of young leaders in shaping policy and driving meaningful societal change.

“Through the Summit, we have successfully engaged over 5,000 young leaders and generated actionable insights that have informed youth policies and strategies in Lagos and beyond,” she said.

She, however, described the Lagos Leadership Summit (LLS) as a bold and urgent vision to raise a generation of leaders who are not only responsive to the times but also radically committed to shaping a future that is inclusive, ethical, and transformational.