Lagos State Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat says Nigeria needs a new breed of leadership that prioritises contributions to national growth and development over mere political tenure.

The deputy governor reiterated that the nation required leadership that embodied integrity, courage, and vision as Nigeria navigated its complex landscape.

Mr Hamzat spoke on Thursday during the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy’s (LJLA) second edition of the Lagos Leadership Summit.

He delivered a paper titled “The Responsibility of Leadership: Shaping The Future With Purpose And Action.”

The deputy governor highlighted some effective leadership traits, including integrity, trust, courage, and truthful communication.

“Nigeria needs leaders with the courage to confront present-day challenges and the focus to drive progress.

“A leader must demonstrate integrity and honesty to be effective and must also communicate truthfully with the people, ensuring their actions and words align.

“Without integrity and demonstrated honesty, no leader can be effective,” he stated.

He stressed that leaders at different levels must be people with vision and the capacity to attract and deploy human and material resources.

Mr Hamzat said they must be men and women of high moral standing and integrity.

He said: “Nigeria needs true statesmen whose claim to statesmanship is not just the length of time they spent holding public office or occupying political space, but their contributions to the evolution of a strong and viable nation.

“True leaders must communicate truthfully with the people. Action and words must be the same, and information must be truthful and reflect compassion.”

The deputy governor added that Nigerians must build a culture reinforcing the values and ethos supporting the dream of a new Nigeria.

The LJLA was launched in 2024 as a transformative platform for young visionary leaders, innovators and changemakers to drive Nigeria’s rebirth through adaptive, responsive and transformational leadership.

(NAN)