By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi, Abuja
The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has emphasized the importance of knowledge, trust, and bold decision-making in effective leadership for national development. In a press release from Dr Ozoya Imohimi, the said this while receiving a delegation of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Alumni, led by its President, Arch. Abubakar Tijani Garba, at his office in Abuja.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed that effective leadership is rooted in knowledge and self-investment, noting that “leadership is not free; there are costs, and the greatest of these is the commitment to personal growth and knowledge acquisition.” He also highlighted that leadership must be driven by trust, stating that “leadership is a position of trust, not just a position of authority.”
The Minister encouraged young professionals to overcome fear and rejection, pointing out that many are hindered by fear of the unknown or of being told ‘no,’ which ultimately stifles progress and innovation. He shared his own experience, pushing boundaries to implement reforms in the Ministry, including the decision to revolutionize passport processing systems despite skepticism.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo charged the delegation to always strive for excellence and disrupt the status quo, stating that “people are remembered not for being average, but for being exceptional.” He commended the alumni for their continued investment in leadership development and personal capacity building.
The President of the LMI Alumni, Arch. Abubakar Tijani Garba, commended the Minister for his youthful energy, transformative leadership, and outstanding achievements since assuming office. He praised the Minister for clearing over 200,000 passport backlogs within three months of assumption of office and reiterated the alumni’s support for the Ministry’s efforts, particularly in youth engagement and development.
The LMI Alumni plans to host a Leadership Summit in December 2025, where the Minister will be formally recognized for his exemplary service. Other upcoming initiatives include a tree-planting campaign in September and a book launch chronicling the Legislative Mentorship Initiative’s journey and impact. The delegation also expressed interest in collaborating with the Ministry of Interior on youth development and career opportunities.
