Personal development is a critical yardstick for leadership and community advancement. Dr. (Amb.) Akande Kazeem Babatunde emphasized this point following the completion of a short course at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON). Akande, who has consistently invested in personal growth, previously attended the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) for the Policy, Strategy, and Leadership Course (PSLC 47) and the Agricultural and Rural Management Institute (ARMTI). Most recently, he completed courses at ASCON focused on strengthening leadership and managerial skills for effective performance. These courses covered topics such as an overview of leadership and management, leadership and management qualities and skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, interpersonal relationship skills, and performance management.
Akande stressed that philanthropic activities alone are insufficient to improve communities. He emphasized the urgent need for public servants and stakeholders to acquire the knowledge necessary to drive grassroots development. Reflecting on his experience at ARMTI, he highlighted courses that deepened his understanding of sustainable agribusiness management, including project identification techniques, stakeholder analysis and management, environmental and economic sustainability, and social considerations in agribusiness. According to him, such exposure is vital for addressing food security challenges and fostering national development.
Akande affirmed his commitment to continuous personal development and to ensuring that communities around him benefit from the wealth of knowledge he accumulates. Widely recognized in Ibadan and Oyo State for his philanthropic efforts in youth development, education, peace-building, and conflict resolution, he seeks to complement his financial contributions with knowledge-driven initiatives that create lasting positive change in the lives of the masses.
