Education
PROF. Timothy Anake, Vice-Chancellor of the Covenant University, has called for urgent reforms in Africa’s leadership systems and institutions to address weak governance and unlock sustainable development.
Anake, made the call on Thursday at a conference organised by the institution in Ota.
Anake, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Lanre Amodu, said Africa’s development challenges persist notwithstanding its abundant resources, largely due to leadership deficiencies and weak institutions.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day conference has the theme: “Re-Engineering Leadership Systems and Institutions for Sustainable Development in Africa”.
Anake said the theme was timely, given the growing need to strengthen leadership capacity and institutional effectiveness across the continent.
According to him, Africa has yet to fully translate its enormous human and natural endowments into economic prosperity and social progress.
“Poor leadership has left us underdeveloped and unable to transform our vast potential into greatness,” he said.
He stressed the need to build resilient institutions capable of sustaining development beyond the vision, charisma or tenure of individual leaders.
Anake added that the conference aligns with the leadership philosophy of the university’s Chancellor, Dr David Oyedepo, which emphasises values-based leadership and institutional excellence.
Meanwhile, the Dean, College of Leadership and Development Studies, Covenant University, Prof. Daniel Gberevbie, said the conference theme extends beyond academic discourse and addresses critical development issues confronting Africa.
Gberevbie said the continent must move away from outdated leadership models and embrace leadership that is visionary, ethical and transformative.
According to him, leadership in Africa should evolve from personality-driven governance to institution-based systems that promote accountability, continuity and sustainable development.
“Africa stands at a crossroads. Although the continent is endowed with abundant resources, vibrant cultures and a youthful population, its development potential remains largely unrealised due to poor leadership across sectors.
“It has therefore become imperative to re-engineer governance systems, strengthen institutions that uphold justice and nurture leaders who demonstrate integrity and courage,” he said. (NAN)
Tags: Africa Covenant University Leadership