Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, has challenged professionals to look beyond academic qualifications and demonstrate competence, creativity and character in their fields, stressing that education’s true value lies in its practical application and impact on society. Speaking on Saturday at the 2026 Graduation Ceremony of Rome Business School Nigeria, held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Hamzat urged graduands to translate their newly acquired knowledge and skills into improved performance and meaningful contributions to their organisations, state and the country. He noted that postgraduate qualifications should mark the beginning of greater professional responsibility, strengthening institutions, growing businesses, improving public services and contributing to national development.
“A certificate may open a door, but it is your competence, character, creativity and capacity to deliver results that will determine how far you go once you walk through it,” Hamzat said. He stressed the need for a more innovative and efficient public service, noting that modern governance requires fresh thinking, smarter approaches and effective utilisation of available resources to meet the needs of the people. He further emphasised lifelong learning in a rapidly changing world, particularly as technology, artificial intelligence and automation continue to reshape businesses, governance and the future of work, and encouraged the graduands to embrace ethical leadership and entrepreneurship.
In his goodwill message, the Italian Ambassador to Nigeria, Roberto Mengoni, highlighted the importance of critical thinking, creativity and broad-based knowledge in preparing professionals for a rapidly changing world, noting that education must go beyond technical skills to develop the ability to question, innovate and connect ideas. Similarly, Founder and Dean of Rome Business School Nigeria, Prof. Antonio Ragusa, called on graduates to combine professional competence with a strong sense of responsibility, stressing that competence without responsibility could be dangerous, while responsibility without competence would be ineffective. In his keynote address on “Business Leadership in Africa: Myths, Legends and the Character Required to Win,” Chief Operating Officer (Pan African), Dangote Cement Plc., Dr. Kachin Onubogu, challenged the graduands to focus on character, competence and values, noting that effective leadership is not about having all the answers but demonstrating humility to listen, learn and make informed decisions, and that sustainable success must go beyond profit to include job creation and community development.
