Graduands of The Polytechnic, Ibadan have been enjoined to take responsibilities for positive change and transformative leadership in order to achieve sustainable development in the nation Nigeria.
The guest speaker at the combined convocation lecture of the institution, Amb. Maj. Gen. Asimiyu Adebayo Olaniyi rtd. OON made this plea while delivering a lecture on the topic “Leadership Evolution: Empowering Change Agents For a Transformative Future”. at the institution’s Assembly Hall on Wednesday evening.
Recall that National Insight News had earlier reported that the institution has scheduled Wednesday and Friday for the convocation lecture and combined convocation ceremony for the award of diplomas, certificates and prizes for 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, and 2022/2023 graduands of the institution respectively.
Maj. Gen Olaniyi who describes the graduands as “torchbearers of change” noted that they have been equipped with necessary skills required to drive transformative change and effect positive leadership during their academic pursuit. He added that having an impactful leadership requires going beyond incremental improvements to a fundamental shift in paradigms, structures and behaviours.
The former Nigeria ambassador to Pakistan, Afghanistan and Maldives stressed that positive character, resilience, emotional intelligence, courageous advocacy, strategic thinking, patient and persistence are characteristics an effective change agents should be imbued with. He however lamented that Nigeria as a country has suffered deficit in leadership for many decades adding that the older generation has failed the nation.
Highlighting the role of technology in transformation leadership evolution, he noted that “the digital age has significantly impacted all aspect of the concept of leadership.”
“It has introduced new dimension and challneges thereby making leaders to contend with the rapid pace of technological advancement, the rise of artificial intelligence and the interconnectedness of global marketplaces. In this technological environment, effective leaders must leverage technology not only as a tool but as an enabler of national agility and innovation.
“Change agents must harness technology to drive transformative change. Understanding the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence and automation have become inevitable if they would succeed in optimizing processes and in making informed strategic decisions. He posited.
The guest lecturer significantly described polytechnic education as a unique system of education in Nigeria. He noted that the dichotomy between Polytechnics and Universities is unnecessary adding that both system have different designs that both contribute to building future leaders who are expected to take charge of change. He urged tertiary institutions in Nigeria to consider leadership and prepare their students for the role by creating a conducting environment that encourages participation.
The event also had in attendance the former secretary to the Oyo State Government, Chief. Bayo Oyero, Rector of the institution, Prof. Engr. Kazeem Adebiyi, the Registrar, Mrs. Modupe Theresa Fawale, Administrative Staff, Lecturers, Convoking Graduands and current students of the great citadel of learning.
