By 
Habeeb Ibrahim
A recent forum on “Fostering Leadership at the Grassroots” brought together experts in leadership and politics to share their insights on effective leadership and the role of youths in politics which was held at Regal hall, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The event organised by iCare Foundation and sponsored by member of the Federal House of Representative, representing Ikorodu federal constituency, Rep. Babajimi Benson, provided a platform for the audience to learn from experienced leaders and experts in politics and leadership.
The event featured three speakers: Mr. Peju Abraham, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, and Mr. Olakunle Soriyan, with Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan providing a closing remark.
Mr. Peju Abraham emphasized the importance of reverse leadership, where leaders touch the lives of the people by understanding their needs and being project-oriented.
He noted that leaders should focus on the most important needs of the people and be involved in knowing what is required to make a positive impact.
Mayor Deen Sanwoola highlighted the need for new crop of leaders to be equipped with good tools for leadership, including academic qualifications and knowledge. He emphasized that everybody has a right to aspire to lead, but not everybody is qualified to lead.
“Everybody has a right to aspire to lead, but not everybody is qualified to lead. New crop of leaders must be equipped with good tools for leadership (most importantly academics qualifications & knowledge)” he said.
He also pointed out that leaders must be willing to make sacrifices and take hits first, citing China as an example of a country that has risen above its challenges to become a global power.
Mr. Olakunle Soriyan, the guest speaker, emphasized that heroes are not rare, but everywhere. He encouraged the audience to recognize that they have the power to make a positive impact and that their value is tied to the life they have lived.
He also emphasized the importance of self-evaluation, self-questioning, and observing negative thoughts to bring about positive change.
“One million times zero is still zero, two hundred billion dollar times zero is still zero, when you are ready to grow, you are going to stop being the zero so that when they add $5 to you, you will produce $5 back. But when you are zero, a million dollars will still give birth to zero.
“Most people we know in this life are good-looking, pretty dummies, very well articulate, very confident fool, nuisance well dressed , foolishness well dressed, at the end of the day you put a full wig on an empty brain.
“All of us must graduate and remind ourselves when our children are ready to ask us questions, our answers will come from three places: this hand, this brain and God” he concluded.
Dr. Abiodun Fatai Abatan, in his closing remark, emphasized the need for youths to reinvent themselves and learn more about politics and leadership. He encouraged youths to start being actors on the political stage and emulate real examples in transformational leadership.
The forum provided a platform for the audience to learn from experienced leaders and experts in politics and leadership. The insights shared will undoubtedly inspire and empower individuals to become effective leaders and make a positive impact in their communities.
