Lagos state deputy governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has called on Nigerian leaders to learn from past mistakes and actively engage with former leaders to chart a better course for the country’s future.
Dr. Hamzat made the call on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the Jakande Leadership Academy Summit held in Lekki, Lagos.
Dr. Hamzat stressed the importance of building nations through shared history and collective achievements.
According to him, tapping into the wealth of experience of former leaders and drawing lessons from past governance mistakes would help Nigeria avoid the costly errors of the past and foster national development.
“Nations are built from shared history, especially of collective successes. Such experiences draw the heart of citizens to a heritage they are proud of. Overcoming our present challenges offers us the unique opportunity to create a collective success story,” he said.
He emphasised that for Nigeria to progress meaningfully, it required a new breed of leadership—”leaders who are statesmen not merely by virtue of longevity in office, but through their tangible contributions to nation-building.
“We need true statesmen whose claim to statesmanship is based not on how long they occupied public office but on their impact in evolving a strong, viable nation,” he said.
Highlighting the purpose of the Jakande Leadership Academy, Dr. Hamzat said the initiative aimed to equip young Nigerians with skills, values, and vision required for effective leadership.
“A good leader must craft a new vision of Nigeria—one that serves its citizens by creating an enabling environment for progress and self-development,” he stated.
He called for a Nigeria of ethical standards and limitless opportunities, where the capacities of citizens are fully expressed and recognized on the international stage.
Speaking with journalists, the Executive Secretary of the Jakande Leadership Academy, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje, explained that the two-day summit was structured to combine theory and pragmatism.
She added that seasoned speakers, who had led peacefully and successfully, were invited to share their experiences and mentor the participants.