Speeches

Maiden IoD Women Directors’ Conference

Nov 27, 2008 - As directors of companies and business leaders you are all used to the challenges and rewards of leadership associated with managing your organisations in the bid to effectively accomplish set goals and objectives. Managerial leadership at this instant is a source of influence whose effect ripples throughout society in a variety of ways. The extent and depth of that influence may be difficult to see in an emerging economy such as ours because of ongoing reforms and restructuring with its overlaying sources of influence and powers. But it is there, subtle and unyielding, contributing to the common good.

That you even chose as your theme for this maiden event of the institute, the topic: “Leadership and Governance: Emerging Issues.”, is an indication of the seriousness you take of you position as leaders in the corporate world where ethics and social responsibility should become the culture that guides behaviour. Your choice of theme is therefore apt and timely.

May I, therefore commend the Director-General and CEO of the Institute, Mrs Elizabeth Fagbure and her wonderful team and members for putting this maiden event together and extending your invitation to me. I am delighted to be in your midst.

There are so few interfaces between the public and private sectors of the economy which make events such as these to be illuminating avenues for the meeting of minds on burning contemporary national and international issues. The reason is not farfetched. We now live in a globalised, knowledge-based economy in which information, properly understood and harnessed by well trained, reputable and capable managers can make the difference in the restoration of order, prosperity and equity in the society.

But as the world becomes a global village every day, many challenges and issues come into play. Such issues are cultural, that is value orientation, motivation and then the increasing importance of social, human and intellectual capital. This is a new dispensation that taxes to the utmost the managerial capacity of leaders in government.

For meaningful development and orderly progress to take place, a reciprocal relationship must exist between the governed and the government. According to William Rosenbach and Robert Taylor in their recent book, entitled “Contemporary Issues in Leadership”, leadership and governance are crucial to the well-being of the common good and public life. The common good and public life also shape each of our private lives.

This symbiotic relationship can only be sustained if we have leaders who possess managerial abilities as well as transformational prowess. They must be strong personalities who have established a strong bond with their followers. They must be able to motivate followers to perform beyond their expectations by creating awareness of shared belief and values. They must be role models whose vision empowers their followers. Such a leader must have global world view, thinking globally but acting locally.

Distinguished Directors and respected audience, I am talking about men and women of character who can provide exemplary leadership to the people. But in all cases they must start from somewhere. They may be different from us in their aspiration and motivations, but they have flesh and blood like us. They at times cry like the rest of us when they are pained, they some times smile too and keep their hands at the plough like some of us. Yes they are like the rest of us. But they have certain differences that set them apart. Many of them are among us here today, you, my listeners, who are already providing leadership in your organisations as directors and business leaders influencing your workers to accomplish set goals and objectives. Let us therefore strive to keep providing leadership in our own corner of the universe because whatever we do in our positions of authourity affect the common good and this in turn affects us in our private lives.

Let me remind you again that we live in a very challenging period in the history of our nation and the entire world, which undoubtedly task the ingenuity of the leaders. With the challenges facing us, our world needs visionary, competent and compassionate leadership that will inspire hope in the people and motivate them for greatness. The Corporate world and the entire sectors of the economy will continue to look up to you for direction, towards restoring our economy back to the path of prosperity, job creation and wealth generation.

As a government, we have been striving to redefine political leadership and governance by ensuring that our policies, programmes and projects offer hope in time of despair; give people a reason and purpose for living and make Lagos a reference point for good governance. We will continue to work with you and all stakeholders to make Lagos and Nigeria, a giant in Africa especially as we work towards achieving the goals for 20/2020.

I wish you successful deliberations and thank you for listening.

“Eko O ni baje!”

Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, (SAN)
Governor of Lagos State