By Adesina Wahab

The Olusegun Obasanjo Leadership Institute (OOLI) announces highlights from its recently concluded leadership training sessions featuring Dr. Victor A. Koh and Prof. Delanyo Adadevoh, among other outstanding international resource persons and facilitators.

Their lectures—on transforming leadership and governance and Africa’s resources powered future—set the stage for OOLI’s Maiden Convocation Lecture on Saturday, 13 December 2025, at the OOPL Mini Auditorium by 12:00 noon. All graduating students and invitees are to be seated by 11:00 am.

Dr. Victor A. Koh , who spoke on “Transforming leadership and governance,” is the  Vice President for Social and Economic Development, International Leadership Foundation (ILF).

Dr Koh was indeed one of the core forces and personalities that coordinated the transformation of Singapore from third to first world country.

He systematically identified the strategies that were used in ensuring the feat.

He is also an Advisor and Council Member to the Government of Kenya’s National Economic and Social Council in the Office of the President.

Over the past 40 years, he has consulted, lectured, and spoken in more than 125 countries, and served on numerous international boards across for profit, nonprofit, educational, and corporate sectors.

He emphasized values, clear vision, disciplined leadership, and timely execution of policies and programmes as factors that could move a nation from postwar fragility to first world excellence.

The policy pillars he highlighted included

Anti corruption which should have strong institutions such as the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB).

He also talked about the provision of  quality, and affordable homes delivered through the Housing & Development Board (HDB).

Others are: Savings and self-reliance: The Central Provident Fund (CPF) as a backbone of national savings. Human capital: Universal access to education and healthcare.

Investment and trade: The Economic Development Board (EDB) catalysing foreign direct investment.

He recommended that Nigeria: should create, communicate, and live shared national values, and drive a mindset shift from dependency to self-reliance.

Prof. Delanyo Adadevoh, who is the founder and President, International Leadership Foundation (ILF), for more than four decades, has shared leadership and societal transformation insights with tens of thousands of students, professionals, religious leaders, executives, diplomats, and heads of state.

His core message is that  Africa holds approximately 30% of the world’s resources yet remains home to the largest population of poor people; unlocking prosperity requires both mindset and systems change.

Transformation priorities include Africans changing poor self image to positive identity.

From dependence on borrowed technology to indigenous innovation. From raw materials exports to value added production.

From favouritism to fair distribution of resources.

He called on leaders to clarify national vision, strengthen justice systems, and catalyse new philosophical and policy debates that drive constructive change.

The maiden convocation lecture will be delivered by Professor Banji Oyelarin Oyeyinka, Senior Special Adviser on Industrialisation, African Development Bank Group.

The theme is “Leadership and Economic Development.”

The convocation lecture will connect lessons from Singapore’s institutional excellence and Africa’s innovation imperative to practical pathways for inclusive industrialisation and human centred growth.