VC Adedimeji to Nigerians: embrace continuous learning, innovative leadership
By Temitayo Seidu, ASE Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Nigerians to embrace continuous reading, innovative leadership,
By Temitayo Seidu, ASE
Vice Chancellor of the African School of Economics (The Pan-African University of Excellence), Abuja, Prof. Mahfouz Adedimeji, has urged Nigerians to embrace continuous reading, innovative leadership, studying and learning.
He said this was imperative for successful living in the knowledge economy that characterises the digital age of today.
Adedimeji spoke at the 5th Public Lecture of the university with the theme: “Innovation and Leadership in the Digital Age: Perspectives from Ireland”.
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While delivering his address, entitled: “Readers and Leaders, Learners are Earners”, the vice chancellor highlighted the characteristics of the digital age, which also refers to the Information Age, as networks, Internet of Things, digitisation, long tail, misinformation and disinformation, dematerialisation, globalisation, commoditisation of experience, culture change and knowledge economy.
He described knowledge economy as the creation of value without manual work as a large number of workers now create strategies, plans, codes, designs and research which are completely digital.
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Adedimeji stressed that the knowledge economy of today demands continuous reading, studying and learning in order not to be left behind.
“In the digital age of the existing knowledge economy, readers are leaders and learners are earners. In other words, if you want to lead, read; and if you want to earn much, learn more. It is those who learn new knowledge and skills that will have the capacity to innovate, solve problems and lead the right way.
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Leadership consultant and former Senior Lecturer at the Atlantic Technological University, Ireland, Paddy Harte, noted that innovation does not have to be something new, it can be something familiar that can be improved upon and sold elsewhere while leadership is measured by the ability to develop others and sustain impact.
Harte added that modern leadership has shifted from instruction to collaboration while leadership should create room for experimentation.
He urged Nigerians to remain open to different viewpoints stressing that innovation emerges when leaders create the right context for ideas to grow.
“Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact; everything we see is a perspective,” he stressed.
Irish Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Peter Ryan, who was the special guest of honour on the occasion, advised youths to be open to ideas and advice, with the Irish proverb, “Your friend’s eye is a good mirror”.
Ryan recalled that his experience in the country had made him to realise further that meaningful interaction with others is national strength.
“Our greatest strength is the willingness to spend time getting to know one another and create connections. It is not always what we know but our ability to interact with people that matters,” he said.
Highlights of the occasion included the presentation of award plaques to Ambassador Ryan and Mr Paddy Harte by Adedimeji supported by the Registrar, Mrs Emilomo Ogunboye, and the delivery of goodwill messages by particpants.
