By Chioma Iloke
The Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), in partnership with the Neighbourhood Environment Watch Foundation (NEW Foundation), has disclosed that it has trained and graduated 3,211 leaders across its annexes nationwide since the establishment of its Leadership School in 2009.
The disclosure was made during the Centre’s 4th Annual Lecture and Graduation Ceremony for Cohort 2025/2026, held at Top View Hotel, Off Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, with the theme: “Transformational Leadership for National Development: Inspiring Changes.”
Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, identified three major constraints to Africa’s development as the absence of strategic leadership, lack of clear strategy and inappropriate development approaches.
Osasah explained that the Leadership School was established to socialize and train individuals in strategic and transformational leadership, adding that the initiative has expanded from its headquarters to various annexes, including Abakaliki.
He noted that all training offered by the Centre is provided free of charge under a pro-bono model to eliminate financial barriers that may hinder capable individuals from accessing leadership development opportunities.
“Our focus is not just on certification but on building leaders who are committed to transforming society,” he said, urging people in the Southeast to enroll and take the programme seriously.
According to him, several alumni of the school now occupy influential political and social positions, including a minority leader in a state and active leaders within the APC.
Coordinator of the Abakaliki Annex, Dr. Kelechukwu Okezie, who also serves as Executive Director of NEW Foundation, revealed that over 60 applicants were screened for the 2025/2026 cohort in Abakaliki, but only 12 successfully met the strict graduation requirements.
He stated that participants were required to achieve at least 70 per cent attendance and complete all assignments before qualifying for graduation.
Okezie highlighted funding as a major challenge, noting that the programme is entirely funded by the partnering NGOs without external support. He also described what he termed the “free paradox,” explaining that because the programme is free, some participants tend to show less commitment.
On punctuality, he said the school maintains strict start times to instill discipline and address issues related to poor time management.
Chairman of the occasion, Rt. Rev. Chidi Igwe, charged the graduates to remain relevant and trustworthy in their leadership journey.
“When you are not relevant, nobody will come for you; once you are relevant, people will come for you no matter where you are,” he said, emphasizing that trust remains the foundation of effective leadership.
The annual lecture was delivered by Prof. Oguguo Egwu, who represented the keynote speaker, Prof. Ikechukwu O. Igwenyi. The lecture focused on the four pillars of transformational leadership: idealised influence, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation and individualized consideration.
The lecturer stressed that national development cannot be achieved without leaders who serve as ethical role models, inspire shared vision, encourage innovation and treat followers as individuals rather than tools for personal agendas.
Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Cohort Governor Okoronkwo Benedict and Deputy Governor Brenda Imoeze expressed gratitude for the opportunity to undergo the free training, describing it as an eye-opener that teaches leaders to take responsibility rather than shift blame.
They pledged to apply the knowledge gained to positively impact their communities both online and offline.