Business and leadership experts, including Sunday Olorunsheyi and Niyi Adesanya, inspired attendees at the sixth edition of Leverage, an annual leadership and mentorship program organised by the Olorunsheyi Foundation.
The event, themed “Leadership Unwrapped”, held in Lagos, attracted aspiring leaders eager to learn from seasoned professionals who shared insights on the essence of leadership and its practical application.
Convener, Sunday Olorunsheyi, described ‘Leverage’ as a platform dedicated to grooming future leaders and fostering mentorship.
He expressed confidence that the program would leave participants motivated to lead with purpose and positively impact their communities.
“Leadership is not about position, fame, or power. It is about purpose and the ability to influence others positively. A board member of multiple businesses and a doctorate holder,” he said Olorunsheyi.
He emphasised the need to dispel misconceptions that equate leadership with titles, management skills, or eloquence.
The first keynote speaker, Dr. Akin Akinpelu, shared a personal story of his father, who rose from a cleaner to a director at Nigerian Breweries but later became a taxi driver after retirement.
His narrative highlighted the foundation of self-leadership.
“For every problem you face, the solution begins with self-leadership.
“You must take full responsibility for your life—no excuses, no blame. The journey starts with self-discovery and accountability.” Akinpelu said.
He underscored that personal growth requires clarity of vision and the courage to take charge of one’s path.
Another keynote speaker, Godwin Uwubanmwen, delved into the critical role of followership and collaboration.
“You can dream big on your own, but you can’t build big things alone,” he said.
Uwubanmwen explained that bold actions toward a vision were pivotal to turning aspirations into reality.
Character coach, Bosede Olusola-Obasa, focused on the family’s role in cultivating ethical leadership.
She pointed out the importance of instilling core values such as humility, sacrifice, and delayed gratification in children.
“It is easier to nurture children than to repair adults.
“Every home must take on the mandate to raise leaders who are ethical and impactful. Leadership starts at home, shaping the leaders of tomorrow through intentional parenting,” said Olusola-Obasa
Dr. Samson Olatunde inspired attendees with a talk on self-discovery and empowerment, urging individuals to leverage their unique strengths to create opportunities.
Closing the session, Dr Niyi Adesanya reflected on the importance of authenticity, influence, and collaboration in effective leadership.
“Leadership is about building strong relationships while staying true to your values,” Adesanya said. “Meaningful connections and consistent personal growth are vital for effective leadership.”
The event concluded with a panel session moderated by Olorunsheyi, featuring all the speakers.
Discussions centered on networking, personal branding, work experience, and the influence of relationships on leadership.
The speakers collectively urged attendees to embrace leadership as a tool for driving positive change, emphasising that true leadership transcends titles and positions.
Leverage 2024 reinforced the importance of self-awareness, ethical values, and collaborative efforts in shaping future leaders ready to impact their communities.