Political office holders and aspirants in the forthcoming 2025 Local Government elections across all levels in the Ikorodu Division’s six council areas have been urged to foster grassroots development by providing visionary and people-oriented policies and programmes for the people.
This charge was given by Guest Speakers yesterday at the 3rd edition of the I-Care Lecture Series, organized by Hon Babajimi Adegoke Benson, Chairman House Committee on Defence.
While delivering the opening presentation, a Multimedia Journalist and Public Policy Strategist, Om’oba ‘Peju Akinyemi propounded what he termed, Reverse Leadership.
According to him, the traditional leadership philosophy generally embraced in Nigeria which is built around ‘leader-take-all’ philosophy was obsolete and would not lead Nigeria to her desired promised land.
He therefore tasked political office holders to see public office as positions they hold in trust for the masses, hence the need to serve their best interests at all times.
Akinyemi therefore charged the ruling class in the Ikorodu Division to reverse their leadership approach by putting the people first, while ensuring that the people’s voice is heard and their inputs are always considered in government policy formulation processes.
Similarly, an ICT Guru and the Director-General of I-Care Foundation, Mayor Deen Sanwo-Ola who spoke on ‘Minding the Gap’ challenged aspiring political office holders to develop themselves, by acquiring academic qualifications and relevant leadership skills required for effective governance, citing the example of most Ikorodu Division Apex APC leaders who are all academically qualified and accomplished professionals in their various fields.
Sanwo-Ola equally charged the participants to be willing to make sacrifices for the masses. He cited the case of the ruling party in China whose philosophy was driven by sacrifices for the masses.
Concluding, Deen who is also the Executive Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Parks and Gardens warned aspirants jostling for political offices in the forthcoming local government elections in Lagos State not to see their aspirations as an entitlement, stating that everyone has the right to aspire, but not everybody is qualified to lead.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Olakunle Soriyan, a globally acclaimed thought leader gave a good account of himself as he wowed the gathering with his eloquent and thought-provoking delivery.
Soriyan posited that, the power to change a man’s life was in his own hands, based on the decisions he takes in the course of his life.
Referencing his personal life experience where it took him 12 years to obtain his first degree at the Lagos State University (LASU), the celebrated Public Speaker charged the participants not to take NO for an answer.
He further tasked them to expand their knowledge base by embracing knowledge and reading of relevant books that can enhance their personal and official effectiveness.
Soriyan equally debunked the general beliefs on acquiring academic certificates in order to qualify themselves, admonishing them to rather embrace education, which is better than just certificates.
Soriyan also admonished the participants to identify and follow the footsteps of mentors like Rep Babajimi Benson towards enhancing their personal and leadership capabilities.
One of the Panelists and Dean Students Affairs, Lagos State University (LASU) Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, in his presentation emphasized the need for youths to reinvent themselves and learn more about politics and leadership. He encouraged youths to start being actors on the political stage and emulate real examples in transformational leadership rather than being on-lookers.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Convener of the I-Care Lecture Series, Rep Benson stated that he was inspired to host the lecture series as a platform for raising a crop of new leaders for the Ikorodu political landscape.
Referencing a popular quote, Benson stated that, the strength of a good leader is not to show his super-power, but rather to help others to see their own super-powers.
Benson noted that, through the I-Care Lecture Series, he is committed to showing the participants that they can be better than him.
Prominent among participants that graced the lecture were the Executive Chairman of Ikorodu West LCDA, Hon Sulaiman Kazeem Olanrewaju, Executive Chairman of Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini and Executive Chairman of Ijede LCDA, Hon Motunrayo Gbadebo-Alogba.
Others were the Executive Chairman of Imota LCDA, Hon Wasiu Adekunle Agoro, the Vice Chairman of Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon Ameen Apanishile Secretary to Ikorodu North LCDA, Hon Odugbesi.
Dignitaries at the lecture also included the Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University of Science and Technical (LASUSTECH), Dr Olamide Metilelu, a former President of Oriwu Club, Engr Amid Oduborisa.
APC Chairmen and Ward executives across Ikorodu Division were also among participants at the lecture.
