SHETTIMA, SANWO-OLU, MUTFWANG, OTHERS, EXTOL GOV. DIRI’S EXEMPLARY LEADERSHIP AT HIS BOOK LAUNCH

…….SAY LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT PEACE MAKING, COMMUNITIES UPLIFTMENT

Vice President of Nigeria, Sen. Kashim Shettima, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, have emphasized that leadership is about the lasting impact, forging through lifting communities, fostering peace, and creating opportunities where none once existed.

Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat who represented the duo made this remark today at the Presentation of a Book in Honour of Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, held at J.F Ade Ajayi Auditorium, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, stressing that genuine leadership is measured, not by position or title, but by the transformations it brings to the lives of the people.

According to them, the book presentation captures the true spirit of leadership, the steadfastness, the core values, and the courage that define a leader’s path to impacting lives.

“This book presentation reminds us that leadership is not about self-aggrandizement, but about the lasting impact we forge through lifting our communities, fostering peace, and creating opportunities where none once existed. This is more than a tribute to Governor Diri; it is a masterclass in leadership. A mirror reflecting the reality that genuine leadership is measured not by position or title, but by the transformations it brings to the lives of the people.” They contended.

While commending Governor Diri’s stewardship to Bayelsa State, which has been marked by a rare blend of compassion and competence, Sanwo-Olu said he has shown Nigerians that patience is strength, calmness is power, and meaningful progress comes through dialogue, inclusiveness, and relentless effort, adding that these are the values enshrined in this book, and they resonate deeply as values that must continue to guide governance across Nigeria.

“This occasion carries a quiet but powerful message: the legacy we build today is the history told tomorrow. Every decision, every empowered citizen, every institution strengthened, becomes a brick in the foundation of our collective future. So let us lead with unwavering integrity, humility, and faithfulness to our duties,” the Governor concluded.

Earlier in his lecture, Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, described the publication as a profound documentation of purposeful leadership, courage, and faith in governance, noting that the book reflects Governor Diri’s journey as a leader who rose through divine orchestration.

Mutfwang emphasized that the work captures Diri’s steadfastness and service to humanity, portraying him as a man who leads with conviction, humility, and a deep fear of God.

He commended the University of Lagos for immortalizing Diri’s leadership legacy through the book, describing it as a “masterclass in leadership and service. He urged Nigerians to emulate Diri’s model of inclusive and God-fearing leadership, while calling on the people of Bayelsa to remain united in supporting his vision for progress and equity.

Similarly, in her welcome address, the Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, noted that the event reflects on leadership meaning, its challenges, and its potential to transform lives and societies, adding that it is important because Nigeria is at the verge of leaders across different tiers of government.

Prof. Ogunsola noted that the publication being unveiled provides an opportunity to examine the ideas, the experiences, and reflections of a leader, Governor Diri, valuable insight to governance, conflict management, and prospects for peace in the Niger Delta.

She therefore stated that Unilag recognizes that leadership is not merely a position of authority but a responsibility grounded in service, integrity, and accountability. “The book presentation on leadership and good government represents a commendable step towards improving the study and practice of leadership in our academic environment. This book will provide structured time for research, teaching in governance, and mentorship. It will also encourage leadership, disciplinary study, and explore how effective leadership can be cultivated, measured, and sustained, especially in Africa, and particularly in the Nigerian context,” the Vice Chancellor said.

In his response, the Special Guest of Honour, Bayelsa State Governor, Sen. Douye Diri, appreciates the University of Lagos for recognizing his administration’s modest strides in governance, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting scholarship that yields tangible benefits for citizens.

In his words, “As we all know that knowledge must be purposeful and directed toward solving real problems confronting society. I want to commend the University of Lagos for bridging the gap between academic inquiry and public service through its affiliate research initiatives, saying that education remains the foundation of progress and prosperity.”

He noted that the recognition would further strengthen his resolve to expand development across all communities, ensuring that governance remains accountable, inclusive, and reflective of the citizens’ aspirations.

In his book review, Mr. Babajide Kolade Otitoju said that the book Leadership Chronicles of Governor Douye Diri offers a profound documentation of the strides and transformation achieved under the administration of Governor Diri in Bayelsa State, noting that it lies in the University of Lagos’ initiative to document and academically validate the leadership footprints of Governor Diri, a rare collaboration that bridges academia and governance.

Otitoloju noted that the book consists of 18 chapters, each of which unveils the various dimensions of Diri’s leadership, from transforming education and expanding access to healthcare to implementing urban renewal projects, housing reforms, environmental sustainability programs, and agricultural advancement. “The book not only highlights the resilience and creativity inherent in the Niger Delta but also presents Bayelsa as a hub of innovation where leadership meets development needs through vision and inclusivity,” he said.