The Sage Centre for Leadership Excellence (CLE), a company dedicated to strengthening leadership and organisational excellence across Africa, held a cocktail reception recently to celebrate with its stakeholders.

In her welcome remarks, Co-Founder, Sage CLE, Mrs. Eka Sunmonu, underscoring the importance of ethical leadership, said it is the bedrock for societal building, communal building and organizational building. She added that the idea of the centre was part of the activities to mark the 70th birthday of Sunmonu, especially using a project that resonates with him.

“The evening will bring together a distinguished community of leaders for meaningful conversations, valuable connections and engaging discussions focused on strengthening leadership and organisational excellence across Africa,” she stated.

Thereafter, a Board Member, Sage CLE, Mr. Femi Akintunde, gave detailed insight about the Sage Centre for Leadership Excellence, its activities since it commenced and how it is going about achieving its goals and objectives. He also talked about appointment of Sage Icon and Sage Vanguards who provide leadership insights and mentorship for its fellows.

Co-Founder of the centre, Dr Mutiu Sunmonu, said that the event is about bringing together people who have supported the centres vision.

He noted that though the centre is still young, but every time he thinks about how the centre came about, he found it really intriguing.

Also, the Executive Director, Sage CLE, Dr Chinwe Effiong, in a chat, said Leadership without ethics is just performance. “A nation is built on integrity, accountability. And part of the reason I believe that Nigeria is not as far as we should be is because ethical leadership is not taught in schools. “Our children grow up and they just hustle. There’s a scarcity mentality.”

The Chairman of Zinox Group, Leo Stan Ekeh, who was dubbed the first Sage Icon of the centre, was given an award by the centre. Every Sage Icons are expected to interact and provide mentorship for the centre’s fellows.

Ekeh commended the centre for provide opportunity for young Nigerians from experienced and well versed business leaders. He added that his interaction with the fellows was extremely rewarding, as it is an opportunity to provide direction for younger ones, especially as Nigeria do not have a lot of incubation centres.

In his testimonials, Founder of Qiqi Farms, Favour Adeleke, thanked the opportunity the centre has provided him and other fellows revealing that the sessions have been very impactful.