The founder and President of the New Era Foundation, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, at the Third Spelling Bee Reunion luncheon, described education and character training as the best legacies for the younger generation. She stated this while reflecting on the success story of the Spelling Bee Competition and other activities of the Foundation.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, delivering the keynote address at the luncheon.
The event which was held at La Scala Restaurant, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, was witnessed by the Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the wife of the Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola, her Ogun State counterpart, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, wife of Ogun State deputy governor, Mrs Funmi Adesegun, Lagos State Education Commissioner Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, his Home Affairs counterpart Oyinlomo Danmole, Chief Rasak Okoya and his wife, Sade, the Asoju-Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya-Thomas, former Education Commissioner Dr Leke Pitan and the former Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Commissioner.
Yaba Local Government Chairman Jide Jimoh, his Ejigbo, Mainland and Amuwo-Odofin counterparts – Kehinde Bamigbetan, Dele Adekanye, and Ayodele Adewale – were also there. Chief Adeniyi Willliams, Chief Solomon Oladunni, Prof. Osato Giwa-Osagie as well as Yetunde Arobieke, Mrs. Tinu Aina-Badejo, Mr. Lekan Ogunbambo, Mrs. Omolara Erogbogbo, and Hon. Jide Sanwoolu were in attendance.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi delivered a lecture titled: “Breaking the limits: Preparing the next generation for leadership”. It was part of the activities marking the third reunion luncheon of the Council of One-Day Governors” organised by the New Era Foundation in Lagos.
He emphasised the need to groom the youth for leadership based on the doctrines of character development, integrity, honesty and fear of God.
He also called for the re-evaluation of politics, saying that those who enter public offices through politics must also have alternative jobs they can return to when they leave power.
Fayemi said while grooming a successor, self-development, professional competence and pursuit of good name should not be compromised by those aspiring to future leadership.
Alluding to the remarks on the leadership crisis in Nigeria by Prof. Chinua Achebe, the frontline novelist, Fayemi cited leadership as a critical challenge.
Praising Senator Tinubu for her educational programmes spanning 11 years, Fayemi said the New Era Foundation had built a successor generation of leaders through education and leadership training, adding that these efforts were unparalleled in the country in recent times.
He disclosed that his administration has taken the cue in Ekiti State by resuscitating leadership training organisations that were moribund in schools, including the Boys’ Scout, Girls Guide, and debating societies.
The governor alluded to his own upbringing, recalling that his Christian parents taught him that character was better than wealth and a good name more important than material acquisition.
Stressing that youths should remember the children of whom they are, the governor, who relived his life as a mass server in the Catholic Church, said that what guided his actions in life were the core values of integrity, honesty, commitment, compassion and fear of God.
He said the same principles that motivated his participation in pro-democracy crusades also propelled him to enter politics as a means of serving the society.
The Lagos State First Lady, Dame Abimbola Fashola presenting Alex Ezenagu a car gift from NEF President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, OON. Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi looks on.
Fayemi also spoke on the elements of leadership, including courage, commitment, determination, accountability, resilience, humility, sharing attitude, passion, compassion and discipline, noting that a leader cannot also lead from the rear. He challenged the youth never to do in private that which they cannot do in the public because nothing is beyond the view of others.
“It is better you do something that is morally defensible,” Fayemi counselled.
The governor said when politicians are deficient in honour and integrity, especially when they cannot keep their words, they sink in credibility crisis.
He however, cautioned that hope is not lost in polity, pointing out that the “Lagos example” in the last 11 years has shown that credible leadership is possible in the country. He said good leaders should be able to protect their followers and exhibit humility without being weak.
Alex Ezenagu, a double first class Law graduate ( UI & Law School) was rewarded with a brand new KIA RIO car by Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
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