Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday, tasked the Fellows of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) to outshine the legacy of the former Governor, noting that with the level of training they went through, they can excel in life.
The Governor gave the charge at the Final Mentoring Session with the outgoing Fellows of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy 2024/2025 set tagged, "Parting Fireside Chat with Mr Governor at Babajide Sanwo-Olu's Place, Chalet D- Governor's Office, Alausa, Ikeja.
Sanwo-Olu, in company with the Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, explained that the State government came up with the idea of the Academy to institutionalise Jakande's legacy.
Mr. Governor said, "I can't explain how excited I feel about the second graduation of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Fellows. What we started as an idea about two years ago is turning out to be one of the world's leadership schools.
"The vision behind this academy, some of you might have been young when Alhaji Lateef Jakande was the executive Governor of Lagos between 1979- 1983, a four-year impactful life, so fast, so quick. He made a lot of impact. When he passed on, we thought, what do we give a man to honour his leadership style so that we continue to have his legacy?
"To some of us who were privileged in the culture of governance, we know he deserves more. He doubled the number of public schools and the number of low-cost housing estates, laying the foundation for LASU. You are entering into the shoes of a man of big size, you can do it better, you can outshine the history that was set by Baba Kekere."
"We are intentional in reflecting the diversity of our country among the Fellows with a little bias for Lagosians, every Nigerian has a seat. It is for you to take the story internationally so that we can move toe to toe with any other leadership academy”, the Governor added.
He thanked the State House of Assembly for passing the Bill on the establishment of the Academy, saying, "The vision is robust, and the House of Assembly also key into the vision. All the legal backing is live. What it means is that subsequent governments will ensure that the vision does not die”.
"We will continue to raise the bar. All of us bought into the vision. I'm excited that we have some of the civil servants among the Fellows out of 20,000 applicants who can secure a seat as one of the best public servants in the State".
The Executive Secretary of the Academy, Mrs Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade expressed satisfaction with the support received from the Governor for the successful completion of the leadership programme. She explained that the training had exposed the Fellows to policy formulation, wellness, mental health courses, and courses on resilience, among others.
In her words, “Selflessness is part of leadership. The programme is to groom young leaders, we build on human capital, we have several promising talents, who were incubated for at least one year. Some of the projects the set carried out included lighting up pedestrian bridges, digitalising Ikeja High School, and giving the teachers laptops. They were taught to start with their community first."
Some of the Fellows who spoke with newsmen said the training has made them better equipped to face challenges.
Noah Oluwaseyi said, "What we see outside about governance is different from what happens in the background. My perspective has changed."
Shem Ayegba said, "It has been highly transformative and engaging coming from the private sector in Kogi State. I want to take my experience from the private sector to the public sector, especially as regards the most challenging demand in the country, which is the issue of housing.”
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