Institute urges ethical leadership to rebuild Nigeria 

…swears in new members at second induction 

The Institute of Leadership Coaching and Strategy (ILCS) has said that only ethical and moral leadership can build the Nigeria that every citizen is yearning for. 

This is also the position of experts and professionals who called for inspiring, trusted leadership at the ILCS’s Second Induction Ceremony in Lagos, themed ‘Ethical Leadership for Societal Impact.’

The Institute, which admitted new members into various established grades at its second induction ceremony held in Lagos, said that the challenges in many African nations are predominantly attributed to poor leadership. 

The institute observed that leadership is not about titles but inspiring others, driving positive changes, and making a lasting impact on people and communities. 

According to a statement released and made available to Tribune Online, the Institute’s President, Dr. Olasunkade Azeez, noted with concern that family, community, and national progress hinge on leadership, citing Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada as examples of ethical leadership success. 

“If ethical leadership could transform Singapore from a developing country to a developed nation, and if despite the numerous regional, national and multicultural challenges in Canada, the country became enviable, Nigeria can be built with ethical leadership,” he said.

Olasunkade explained that the institute’s vision is to be a leading reference point in responsible leadership, culture and strategy, safety, growth, innovation and accessibility. 

“Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations through cutting-edge knowledge, scheme and best practices to reset and turn around individual and operate on a leading edge, through a leading edge, equity, fairness, technical practices and justice through advocacy.

“We are responsible professionals and leaders in causing value change in the economy.

“Leadership should ignite expanding order, driving positive change and making a lasting impact on the society,” the institute’s president added.

He charged the new members, saying they “have demonstrated your commitment to excel and your dedication to shaping the future of leadership with your profound expression or interest to be part of work,” 

The Chairman of the occasion and a former Executive at African Leadership Forum, Dr Ayodele Aderinwale, in his remarks, cited a leadership strategist and development expert who posited that everything rises and falls on leadership, stressing Nigeria’s urgent need for ethical leaders. 

Aderinwale stated that unless Nigeria produces principled leaders, it cannot achieve the vision of its founding fathers. 

“We now live in a society where shamelessness is a shared value. Ethical conduct is hardly a consideration anymore,” Aderinwale said.

He called for a visionary society committed to producing trusted, value-driven leaders with discipline, honesty, integrity, and professionalism. 

“If we fail to groom young Nigerians with ethical values, the nation will remain stagnant,” the former Executive at Africa Leadership Forum added.

Describing the task before ILCS as herculean, he noted that Nigeria had endured too much corruption and unethical conduct, urging ILCS to stay focused on raising a generation of ethical, transformative Nigerian leaders. 

Aderinwale reminded the inductees that core values are essential to achieving Nigeria’s collective aspirations.

“This is your chance to walk the tough road with like minds and help create the Nigeria we all desire,” he said.

The Guest Speaker, Mrs. Ajibola Ponnle, a former Lagos Commissioner and currently Group Chief Executive Officer, Human Investment Africa, said Nigeria had no reason to be underdeveloped, given its abundant resources. 

She described leadership and people as the missing links to Nigeria’s sustainable development and growth. 

“If we normalise abnormality and remain silent, we will not progress,” Ponnle admonished. 

She praised ILCS for championing ethical leadership, stating that true leadership inspires extraordinary actions from ordinary people.

According to her, qualities of a good leader include ethics, conviction, integrity, empathy, focus, courage, and accountability.

“It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible,” she added.

Mr Jide Ologun, a cleric and ILCS Fellow, questioned whether Nigerians truly desire ethical leadership. He noted that many leaders act unethically because they face no consequences for their misconduct. 

If accountability existed, he said, leaders would be forced to uphold core values and act ethically.

The inductees were sworn in by the ILCS President and Chairman of the Governing Council in batches and were admonished to make impacts in society through ethical leadership.

New members were formally inducted by the President with admonition to make impact in the society through ethical leadership practice. 

He was supported by the Institute’s Registrar and Chief Executive, Barr. (Mrs) Ifeoma Adeniyi; Vice President, Dr. Adedayo Odukoya; National Treasurer, Dr. Samuel Senbore at the ceremony. 

Oluwaseyi Olulade, a Fellow member, gave an acceptance speech on behalf of newly inducted members.

The Institute is a multi-dimensional professional body established as an offshoot of Chartered Institute of Leadership, Policy and Strategy, Delaware USA. It is a strategic partner of the International Federation of Training and Development – African confederation (IFTDO-Africa) and is accredited by the Centre for Management Development.

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