What Hamzat told Lagos workers that left many deep in thought

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has urged staff of the Local Government Service Commission to embrace teamwork, empathy, and purpose-driven leadership as vital ingredients for effective service delivery at the grassroots level.

Speaking during the inaugural OLGE&T Leadership Series webinar organised by the Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, Hamzat stressed that the strength of any organisation lies not in its financial resources or technology, but in the collective effort of its people.

“For an organisation to succeed, teamwork is key, not finance, not strategy, not technology. Teamwork remains the most powerful competitive advantage because it fuels daily productivity and drives development at state and national levels,” he said.

The Deputy Governor explained that every staff position carries value and contributes to institutional success, adding that collaboration and mutual respect among workers are the foundations of progress.

He further observed that while leadership challenges remain a recurring issue in Nigeria, true leadership begins with empathy, active listening, and patience.

“A good leader must win the people’s hearts, not just their minds,” Hamzat noted.

“Leadership must be purposeful and emotionally intelligent. Leaders are made, not born—it depends on self-awareness and the choices we make,” he said.

Hamzat also encouraged participants to regularly question their motives and timing when making decisions, emphasising that reflection and information gathering are essential tools for responsive and humane leadership.

Touching on national cohesion, the Deputy Governor said unity in language could enhance trust and foster national development, citing India as an example where linguistic alignment has strengthened social integration.

He added that effective land use planning remains critical to achieving food security and economic growth, urging Nigerians to adopt a more deliberate approach to agricultural and urban planning.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Local Government Establishments and Training Commission, Kamal Ayinde Bayewu, said the leadership series was designed to strengthen capacity building among local government staff.

He commended the innovation and encouraged participants to apply the lessons from Hamzat’s lecture to improve service delivery.

Bayewu praised the Permanent Secretary, Office of Local Government Establishments and Training, for initiating the programme, describing it as a step towards building a more efficient and responsive local government workforce.