Mary Nnah
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, yesterday underscored the significance of effective leadership for organisational success and resilience.
He spoke during his address on “Unleashing Your Leadership Capabilities” at the HR Expo Africa (HREA) Work Festival 2024 held in Lagos.
The governor contended that leadership in the 21st century entails an agile, empathetic, and visionary approach that transcends hierarchical structures and fosters collaboration, empowerment, and continuous learning.
Furthermore, Sanwo-Olu noted that unleashing leadership capabilities in this era of unprecedented change necessitates a fundamental shift in mind-set.
He argued that leadership is no longer synonymous with authority and control, but rather with inspiration, influence, and service. Therefore, leaders, he said, must create an environment where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to unleash their full potential.
The governor also highlighted the focus of successive administrations in Lagos, which has been on promoting innovative infrastructure development, economic growth, and social welfare programmes.
He stated that these were aimed at improving the quality of life for Lagos residents. Additionally, the governor emphasised that inclusivity and diversity are critical pillars of the success of any organisation.
Sanwo-Olu further stated that another key priority of the state is to leverage its youth population, given that Africa has a booming youth population and investing in youth leadership development is crucial for tackling global challenges and shaping a brighter future.
“Africa has a booming youth population, the fastest growing and youngest in the world, and this presents a unique opportunity for global leadership. With one in four people on the planet being African, the world is increasingly looking to Africa for innovation and solutions.
“ From music and fashion to technology and politics, Africa is a powerhouse of talent, and investing in youth leadership development is crucial for tackling global challenges and shaping a brighter future”, Sanwo-Olu noted.
The convener, Erefa Coker, noted that the work festival’s theme is critical in today’s world, where companies are more digitally transformed than in previous years. He stated that innovations, automation, and digital platforms have allowed for new ways of living and have contributed to drastic changes in working habits.
The event recognised several award recipients, including Director, Executive Education, Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Victor Banjo Director, Head – Group HR, Sahara Group, Ivie Imasogie and Partner, ValueBridge Consulting, Usen Udoh, among others.
The event also recognised several organisations for excellence in various aspects, such as Sterling Bank for Excellence in Women Empowerment Strategy, Stanbic IBTC for Excellence in HR Communication Strategy, FCMB for Excellence in Corporate Wellness, Nestle for Excellence in HR Change Management, and VFS Global.
