•Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu yesterday described the October 2020 #EndSARS protest as one of the most challenging periods of his leadership.
He revealed that managing the crisis tested the resilience of his administration, reports The Nation.
“One of my toughest moments as a leader was during the #EndSARS protest,” Sanwo-Olu said while addressing 30 fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in Ikeja.
He stated that in navigating the tide, his administration never wavered in its commitment to serving Lagosians.
“We have been tested as a government, but we must continue to put the needs of Lagosians above our struggles as a responsive and responsible government,” the governor stated.
Sanwo-Olu urged the fellows selected from a pool of 16,000 applicants to focus on creating positive change.
He encouraged them to deliberately develop their leadership skills, saying: “No bad news stays forever. Work hard to create good news and make sure people listen to it.”
The governor underscored the importance of courage and resilience in leadership and called on the fellows to challenge themselves and think expansively.
“The only limitation you have is not dreaming big enough,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu also spoke about the lasting legacies of Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the late first civilian governor of Lagos State, who the academy is named.
“That is why we are still talking about him today. He (Jakande) epitomises visionary leadership,’’ he said.
The governor stressed that good leadership is rooted in endurance and tolerance.
“A trait of a good leader is the ability to tolerate and endure, which is why we need you to stay together so you will learn how to tolerate each other and make meaningful friendships,” he said, highlighting the importance of collaboration among the fellows.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to fostering future leaders through the academy, a platform he described as vital for advancing Lagos’ legacy of excellence.
In a tweet on his X account, Sanwo-Olu highlighted the academy’s role in shaping leaders who can drive transformational change.
“These fellows will be at the forefront of impactful change, steering Lagos towards even greater heights,” he wrote.
