The Lagos State House of Assembly has begun the process of legitimizing the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy with a public hearing on Wednesday.
The bill when passed into law will further give backing to the academy which has just concluded a test run training programme for 30 students, who were shortlisted amongst 12,000 applicants.
In his speech at the public hearing held at the Lateef Jakande Hall within the Assembly premises, the Chief Host and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly Rt. Hon Mudashiru Obasa who harps on the importance of grooming upcoming leaders.
Speaker Obasa said that the bill was seeking to create an academy for the development of young persons for leadership positions and purposes, saying that it’s always said that the young people are the leaders of tomorrow.
According to him, “the Bill has come when it’s most needed because our young people are becoming very vocal, bold and self-reliant, with the new arrangement the bill will nurture our young persons to be valued based leaders that will in turn lead the State and Country with a clear vision.”
“Like it’s done around the world, Lagos would not be left behind, this academy would be a brainbox for well exposed youths with essential leadership skills with experience that will create a balance in their personal development and self-reflection.
“I am also very pleased that this bill will expose young persons on how Government policies are formulated not only in Nigeria but across the world. This will also broaden their minds on specific characteristics of global challenges and also how to resolve them.
“Furthermore, with what would be learnt in this academy, the associates can offer advice to the Governor with matters relating to the academy and also other world best modern practices in governance,” he said.
The Speaker who was represented by his Deputy Mojisola Meranda Lasbat stressed that it’s self-evident that the well desired benefits of this bill speaks for itself, and urged everyone to reflect on the compelling significances in their contributions, while pledging that the House will dutifully consider all the ideas they may offer.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly appreciates all of you for honouring the clarion call with your attendance today, I urge you to exercise no hesitation in offering your ideas and promise that all your contributions and memoranda will be adequately considered on their merits,” he said.
Hon Ajani Owolabi Chairman of the House Committee on Education Tertiary Institutions in his welcome speech explained the importance of the bill, citing the need to make youths with leadership traits scale up for leadership position.
“I think it is important in the state we understand that leadership positions are incredibly important and the access to the requisite training that a leader will require is what I believe this bill hopes to portend.
“It aims to give young people the ability to learn from all facets of leaders, from all across the states and other parts of Nigeria as well, to exchange knowledge and gain better experience in terms of leadership, so its main import is to better the society as a whole.
“We have leaders, we would have better direction for our society so, I think that is the most important thing that the bill seeks to do which is to better the society through training the young people to be leaders.
“The most important thing is not that they are engaging with politics or politicians. The most important thing for this young people is the experience in leadership.
“Not necessarily how to govern or manage people, it is more in terms of being a leader whichever chosen facets to chose from.
According to him, financing of the academy will not only come from government as funds can be gotten from other benevolent sources, even from the diaspora.
Mr. Olabode Agoro the Lagos State Head of Service however, noted that the over one year existence of the Academy was a trial period and that the body will commence full operations once the bill is passed into law by the state legislature.
The Executive Secretary of Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy Mrs. Aishat Agbaje-Okunade in her remark at the public hearing stressed that the bill when passed into law will help to firm up the Academy existence, to cover the existing gaps of leadership amongst the youths and once Lagos can pull through with it, it can be replicated across the country.
The House committee Chairman on, Judiciary, Human Rights, Public Petitions and LASIEC Hon. Oladipupo Ajomale who gave the overview of the bill on behalf of the Majority Leader, summarised the 24 clauses bill.
Also present at the parley are; Professor Olumuyiwa Ogunsanya the VC Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUCOM), The Commissioner for Establishment Training and Pensions Mr. Afolabi Ayantayo, Mrs. Victoria Mopelola Peregrino Chairman, Lagos State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) and other dignitaries.
