Leadership Training: An Imperative for National Development - Elder Abiola Popoola

 By Olayinka Awofadeju 

      Speaker, Elder Abiola Popoola.

At the 14th Convocation Lecture of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Ikeji Arakeji, Osun State, Elder Abiola Popoola while citing John Maxwell said everything rises and falls on leadership. The speaker commends the leadership of Joseph Ayo Babalola University for the changes observed while entering the institution.

He said leadership is important everywhere, including in the homes and that leadership is influence. He pointed out that the role of a person occupying leadership position  is to lead and that every leader must have knowledge, skills and experience required to lead.

Among many definitions of leadership he mentioned is "leadership is the capacity to translate vision into reality".

For any group/unit  to achieve great feats, strength of each individual team member, the strength of the link between team members, and the quality of leadership of the group are key determinants.

He encouraged individual to step into the leadership positions to make a difference in their various environment. 

"If you don't train them, don't blame them." That's his observation about the failed leadership, because they lack training which ought to have been impacted in them from homes and schools.

He said to talk about performance or character, we must observe what the leaders know. Many leaders voted for in this country were not properly "observed" before being voted for, this led to their failure in offices.

Leadership centred model must be observed by whoever want to go into leadership at any level. This model have some sub steps to critically learn and put into practice by the leaders to be effective. He said, character is number one thing leaders must not lack.

He enunciated the roles of the leaders as conceptualizer of  vision and goals, carrying the follower along, aligning himself with the followers, empower the members in addition to being a role model.

Leadership is not about teaching others how things should be done, but followers taking the lead from the leaders. Followers are expecting leaders to value them, appreciate them, invest in them, understand them and not to take advantage of them.

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