Lagos: Hamzat calls for team spirit, compassion in local govt service delivery

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has charged staff of the State’s Local Government Commission to embrace teamwork and empathy in order to enhance effective service delivery at the local government level.

The deputy governor made the call on Wednesday while speaking at an inaugural webinar tagged “OLGE&T Leadership Series,” organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training for its staff. He noted that teamwork is an essential element for any organisation’s development and success.

According to Hamzat, it is teamwork—not finance, strategy, or technology—that makes an organisation successful, stressing that teamwork remains a powerful and relevant competitive advantage across all areas.

“For an organisation to be successful, teamwork is key—not necessarily finance, strategy, or technology. Teamwork remains the true competitive advantage because it is powerful and relevant in all areas. It makes daily activities successful, which in turn contributes to the progress of the state and the nation at large,” he said.

The deputy governor further stated that the importance of every position is tied to the office occupied and the accomplishments recorded, stressing that the ability to work together as a team is the first step toward organisational success.

Hamzat observed that while leadership is often considered one of the nation’s major challenges, great leadership begins with empathy—the ability to listen and exercise patience.

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“Leadership must be purposeful. A good leader must win people’s hearts, not just their minds, and must have goals that align with the emotions of the people. Successful leaders are always curious.

“Leaders are made, not born. This means that anyone among us can become a great leader—it depends on how we measure ourselves and what we have achieved,” he said.

He further explained that for leaders to succeed, they must constantly question their motives and timing—why they are doing what they do and why it matters at a given moment—while emphasising the importance of gathering information to understand emotional responses within their sphere of influence.

Reflecting on the importance of national unity, Hamzat highlighted that speaking a common language fosters trust and promotes national development. He cited India as an example, noting that both Hindus and non-Hindus communicate in the same language. “One of the prerequisites for national development,” he said, “is the ability to speak a single language.”

The deputy governor also noted that every nation must plan its land use effectively to achieve prosperity. “Though it may be difficult for Nigerians because of their lifestyle, if the nation truly wants to end hunger, it must take land-use planning seriously,” he added.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Local Government Establishments and Training Commission, Hon. Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, emphasised that the leadership series aims to improve staff capacity and professional development within the Local Government Commission.

Bayewu urged staff to pay close attention and apply the lessons shared by the deputy governor. He commended the state government and the Permanent Secretary of the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training for the initiative, noting that the lecture series would greatly benefit all participants.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE