By Demilade Adeniyi
The Lagos State Government has urged Associates of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy to embrace resilience as a key leadership quality needed to deliver on their mandate of institutionalizing the public sector leadership conduit in Lagos State, while also keeping alive the memory of the first civilian Governor of Lagos State.
The Executive Secretary, Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy, Ms Folasade Coker, gave the advice at the first-day Leadership and Governance seminar facilitated by the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC) for the Associates of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy on Tuesday, 16th May.
Coker urged the associates to buckle down and enjoy the leadership journey as there will be challenging moments and tough times, saying that the hallmark of a leader is to remain resilient no matter the situation.
She said, “It is not by accident that you have been chosen to be Associates of the LJLA which was established to raise leaders who would impact their generation. As you are aware, the leadership journey is full of challenges just like any other human endeavour. Thus, it behooves you to be resilient especially as you start this journey with the Academy”.
She commended the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, for his visionary leadership that has led to the creation of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy.
The Executive Secretary acknowledged the efforts of the Commissioner, Ministry of Establishments, Training and Pensions, Mrs Ajibola Ponnle, who was significant to the founding of the laudable Academy. Her team has shaped the LJLA into what it has grown to become today. She also appreciated the efforts of the then Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Abiodun Onayele.
In his keynote address, the Director-General of Public Service Staff Development, Mr. Adekunmilola Adio-Moses, told the Associates that they are expected to move mountains at the barest minimum, adding that they can dream and achieve the impossible.
He further said, “You are lucky you are on a platform that has no limits. You have a unique leader in the Executive Secretary of the Academy, Ms. Folasade Coker, someone who will be with you and hold your hands all the way”.
Mr Femi Solaja, Director Learning and Development of the PSSDC, took the Associates through the Public Service Rules and the workings of Government as well as a detailed history of Lagos State.
It should be recalled that the Lagos State Government earlier this year officially launched the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy which is a one-year fellowship programme initiated by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
The Lateef Jakande Academy is to fulfil two visions: to institutionalize the public sector leadership conduit in Lagos State, and to keep alive the memory of the first Civilian Governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.