Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has called for the use of innovative technologies in resolving economic and social challenges of the country.

Mr Sanwo-Olu said this on Wednesday during the pioneer graduation of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy at Konga Place, Lekki.

He said that the new platform of globalisation and Internet of things must be significantly employed to resolve new challenges encountered in the course of improving the living standards of citizens.

Thirty students, 15 men and 15 women, between 18 and 35 years, graduated from the academy after a one-year course and mentorship in leadership.

 The Lagos Leadership Summit is a pivotal platform dedicated to empowering Nigeria’s young professionals with the skills and insights essential for success in various leadership roles.

 With a focus on leadership excellence, ethical governance, and youth inclusion in governance, the summit offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage with renowned leaders and industry experts.

He said, “You have to be able to innovate for us, you are here not as leaders of tomorrow but today. Proffer solutions that the government can use as a tool, to solve the challenges that we are facing today but more importantly to solve global issues. And that is why we started the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy. For us as a government we felt how better can we honour a man than for us in the public sector to set up a cream of new leaders.

 “So we set up this school that has the first set, the one-year fellowship, who indeed have not only shown us that we took the right step, they have been outstanding individuals,” the governor said.

 The guest speaker and former governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola, noted that it was important for followers to trust their leaders for a successful outcome.

He said, “The people need to trust the government, it is important that they know the capability of their leaders so that when issues beyond human expectations happen, the followers can show empathy to the plight of their leaders. I have always been an advocate that believes that the process is as important as the result, the end shouldn’t justify the means, the process is crucial, it serves as a blueprint for others coming behind.’’

 Similarly, Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who spoke on “Leadership and Community Engagement,” stated that to achieve effective leadership in Nigeria, there was a need to navigate complex political, economic and social landscapes.

Mr Hamzat urged the citizens to be involved in governance, noting the need for collaborations with private stakeholders and the public sector.

According to him, community engagement with government at all levels is pivotal to the nation’s development.

 In her address, LIJA’s Executive Secretary, Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, noted that the challenges faced required leaders who are not only capable but compassionate, visionary, and adaptable.

 According to her, leadership must transcend rhetoric and manifest tangible outcomes.

 She said, “We need leaders who inspire confidence, foster unity, and drive transformation.”

 Mrs Agbaje-Okunade urged the participants to embrace responsibility that comes with leadership and pave the way for a generation of new leaders.

 The keynote speaker, Chief Executive Officer, Sterling Bank, Abubabar Suleiman, said that leadership is about leading people on a new purposeful journey.

 Mr Suleiman said being a strategic thinker and a transformational leader was what makes leadership different from management, adding that the future is being crafted in leadership.

 “In essence, as a leader, you must be able to lead people to the future, hence, you must be convincing for people to be bold to follow you, able to trust and believe in you. For one to be a leader, the people must be able to believe and trust you in order to take them to the future where you have never been to,” he said.

 Also speaking, Commissioner, Innovation, Science and Technology, Tunbosun Alake, stressed that leadership had nothing to do with being young or old but having good values and character.

 The commissioner advised the participants to pursue excellence in their various career paths to succeed in life.

(NAN)