By Shakirudeen Bankole
HAVEK Leadership Academy, a leadership development and mentoring institution, at the weekend sent forth its 2024 Leadership and Mentoring Fellows after 12 months of rigorous training on leadership.
The training period included extensive impact sessions handled by accomplished leaders, academia, practitioners, and individuals whose unblemished professional and personal track records of excellence were worthy of emulation.
The sessions focused on developing a disruptive mindset, one that sees beyond the surface and is innovative enough to preemptively act and make important interventions.
The theme of the ceremony, which held at the CMD Center, Magodo – Lagos, was: “Achieving Transformational Leadership through Self and Community Development.”
In attendance were dignitaries such as Mr. Niyi Yusuf, Chairman of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, who triples as the event Chief Host and the Chairman, Board of Directors of HAVEK; Professor Rahmota Karim, the Vice Chancellor of Fountain University; Dr. AbdulWahid Ayodeji, NASFAT President, represented by Alhaji Shakirudeen Balogun, NASFAT Assistant General Secretary; Alhaja Ganiyat Babalola, NASFAT Women Leader, represented by Alhaja Zainab Muhammed; Dr. Wura Abiola, a member of Faculty of HAVEK; and Alhaja Nofisat Arogundade, a retired Permanent Secretary, among others.
In her speech, Prof Karim, who doubled as the Guest Speaker of the occasion, said great leaders are not born but are forged through determination and generous investment in self-development.
According to her, “Leadership does not happen by accident. It is never the product of luck. It is the outcome of deliberate, consistent investment in oneself.
“The more you invest in yourself, the greater your capacity to inspire, to influence, and to impact those around you,” she admonished.
Karim said the graduation depicted the celebration of those sacrificial efforts in self-development and the benefits therefrom should be best harnessed through willingness to carry others along.
“A tree that grows tall but bears no fruit is a disappointment,” she said metaphorically, stressing that “Community development must be the natural extension of self-development.”
The Guest Speaker explained the danger inherent in a narrow-minded leadership model.
“When leaders rise but leave their communities behind,” she stressed, sayimg “they build fragile towers that crumble with time. But when leaders rise and carry others with them, they build legacies that endure generations.
“Leadership is not about titles but about impact. The measure of your success will be how many others find their wings because you chose to fly,” she added.
Karim herself is an embodiment of inspiration, with her intimidating profile showcasing outstanding leadership and groundbreaking achievements.
Yusuf, the HAVEK Board Chairman, said since inception in 2018, HAVEK Leadership Academy has been committed to raising ethical leaders with competence, integrity, innovations, principles, and fear of Allah.
He said the organisation has trained over 8,000 young leaders in the last seven years, with the Graduation Ceremony of its 2024 Cohort of the First Class Muslim Mentoring Programme as a restatement of that dedication.
“Today is a day of pride, proof that HAVEK has stayed true to its promise of raising leaders of competence, fear of Allah, and Taqwa.
“In just four years, HAVEK has trained over 8,000 leaders, directly and indirectly. Just last year, for example, over 1,200 people participated in our various leadership programmes. Yes, some of them dropped off because of the rigour of the process, but 70% of them scaled. Twenty percent now gained scholarships, postgraduate and job opportunities abroad,” he said.
Yusuf recalled that one of the trainees of the institute is Abdulwaheed, who was honoured as one of the 20 most outstanding NYSC Members and was invited to the Presidential Villa. At the Villa, Yusuf said, Abdulwaheed openly acknowledged HAVEK for the training and impact, reflecting the transformational influence of HAVEK and the power of mentorship.
“While there are brilliant young people everywhere, opportunities are however not readily available to many of them. Hence, we seek partnerships for our graduates. They are brilliant, skilled, principled, and God-fearing,” Yusuf pleaded.
Corroborating Yusuf, the General Manager of HAVEK, Alhaji AbdulWasiu Ayoola, noted that the academy, founded in 2019 under NASFAT, has not relented in it’s deliberate investment in human capital development in leadership, entrepreneurship, vocational skills, and citizenship, and continues to promote inclusivity by welcoming both Muslims and Christians.
He emphasised that the academy’s mission goes beyond graduation ceremonies, stressing continuity of leadership as each cohort builds on the legacy of the past.
Ayoola applauded the First-Class Graduate Mentees, describing them as a bridge between academic excellence and ethical leadership, and reaffirmed HAVEK’s commitment to deepening its impact through hybrid learning models and mentorship programmes.
“One chapter closes, another begins. The baton is being passed, and the race continues. Carry it with honor, with excellence, and with service.”
Counseling the young leaders, NASFAT President urged them to see themselves as Ambassadors of Islam.
According to him, education is a lifelong process. Learning does not stop at earning a degree. We have to continue to unlearn, learn, and relearn.
“The President has asked me to tell you to be a true representative of Al-Islam. Check yourself if people would join Islam because of your actions and inactions,” Ayodeji said.
On her part, Arogundade commended HAVEK for the selfless service of raising dependable leaders that would help transform the country.
“That you are developing ethical leaders for Nigeria, we cannot but celebrate you. We also acknowledge the Leadership Faculty for the great work you are doing, forging these young ones into competent, dependable, and ethical leaders.
“As the graduands step forward, may the Almighty Allah guide you, support you, and make you excel in your respectful endeavours. Amin.”
The graduating fellows are:
Bello Malik Pelumi, a First-Class Graduate in Biology (4.83/5 CGPA) from Obafemi Awolowo University, Diploma holder in Data Analytics, and M.Sc Financial Engineering from WorldQuant University.
Jamil Abdulateef Taiwo, a holder of Bachelor of Arts in English Language from the University of Ibadan.
Nurudeen Habeebat Ajoke, B.Sc holder in Entrepreneurial and Business Management from the National Open University, and M.Sc holder in Maritime Administration and Management from the University of Lagos.
Atoti Mukaram Adebare, an HND graduate of Building Technology from the Yaba College of Technology.
Akinwale Abideen Oyelade, an HND holder in Building Technology from the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State.
Others are:
Hadjia Shehu Hauwa Lami, a B.Sc (2.1) holder in Finance from the University of Ilorin, and an M.Sc holder in Accounting from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.
Rabiu Jelil Abidemi, a B.Sc holder in Business Education from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) and NCE in Accounting from the Federal College of Education (Technical), Akoka, Lagos.
Hadjia Na’Allah Shakirat Funmilola, a professional teacher and Master’s Degree holder in Guidance and Counselling from Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto.
Akanmu Jamiu Adekunle, an HND holder in Accountancy from Lagos State University of Technology (formerly Lagos State Polytechnic), and a graduate member of Institute of Islamic Financial Professionals.
Hadjia Peleowo Sukuray Ayoola, a holder of B.Eng in Electrical Engineering, PGDE in Education, and another Postgraduate Diploma in Educational Technology.
Hadjia Sunni Rukayat Bolanle, a holder of B.Sc in Social Studies Education from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Appreciating the institution, AbdulJelil, representing other fellows, thanks HAVEK profusely.
” Over the course of four intensive modules, we were stretched,.challenged, and inspired..from the classroom sessions that deepened our understanding of leadership to the three mentoring sessions that allowed us to connect with seasoned role models, every step of this journey has reinforced a simple but powerful truth they have taught us that learning is indeed a continuous process,” he said.
