Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has described the October 2020 EndSARS protests as one of the most difficult periods of his leadership.

He shared this during a meeting with 30 participants of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy in Ikeja on Monday.

“The EndSARS protest was one of the hardest times for me as a leader,” Sanwo-Olu said. “As a government, we have faced challenges, but our focus must always be on serving Lagosians and meeting their needs. Bad news doesn’t last forever; work hard to create positive news that people will remember.”

The governor encouraged the academy fellows to actively develop their leadership skills.

“Being selected out of 16,000 applicants shows you have great potential. Leadership requires intentional effort, and that’s why we established this academy. Push yourselves to achieve more. The only limit is how big you dare to dream,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also referenced the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande, after whom the academy is named, as an example of exemplary leadership.

“Many of your generation may not know about Alhaji Lateef Jakande, but his leadership was remarkable, which is why we still talk about him today,” he explained.

The governor emphasized the importance of resilience and collaboration in leadership.

“Good leaders must be able to endure tough times and show courage. Learn to work together, tolerate each other, and build meaningful relationships. Focus on solutions, not just the challenges,” he advised.

Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, the academy’s Executive Secretary, thanked the governor for inspiring the fellows.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy is designed to nurture young individuals committed to driving positive change and shaping Nigeria’s future.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nigeria is on the road to recovery despite criticism, pointing to successes in security, financial management, and local development.

He made this statement during his first Presidential Media Chat, broadcast nationwide.

The President highlighted improvements in security, saying major progress has been made in making unsafe roads safe for travel again.

“For 20 years, people couldn’t travel safely due to killings. Now, those roads are usable,” he said, adding that the military is staying alert to protect the country from internal and external threats.

On financial management, Tinubu explained that his government has stopped relying on the previous “ways and means” funding system and now follows strict financial discipline. He added, “We are generating and distributing more revenue.”

Tinubu also celebrated granting more power to local governments, calling it a significant step forward. He linked this to his long-time support for grassroots development, recalling his time as Lagos State Governor and disputes with the Obasanjo administration over creating new local councils.

While acknowledging ongoing challenges, the President expressed confidence in the country’s progress. “Critics may disagree, but Nigeria is on the recovery path. We can’t fix everything in one year, and I’m not making excuses—it’s been just 18 months,” he said.

Tinubu’s remarks during the media chat are expected to spark discussions about his administration’s policies and plans for the future.