By Foster Akpore
The VREI Centre LSD Leadership School in Delta State, on Saturday, October 12, 2025, hosted a powerful leadership session featuring two notable speakers—Ambassador (Pastor) Edewor Egedegbe and CSP Temi Agbede-Zuokumor—who delivered thought-provoking lectures on leadership and civic responsibility.
Amb. Egedegbe who is the Director of Studies of the VREI-CENTRE LSD Leadership School, in his address titled “Who Is a Leader / Developing Leaders,” underscored the need for integrity, discipline, and servant leadership as the pillars of transformation in every society. Drawing from John C. Maxwell’s 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader and 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, he emphasized that true leadership is “not a position but a process.”
“Leaders are not superhuman,” he said. “They are ordinary people who accept or are placed in extraordinary circumstances and rise to the challenge.”
He described character as the foundation of leadership, noting that crisis often exposes what lies beneath the surface. He identified commitment, courage, discernment, generosity, initiative, listening, and self-discipline as key traits of effective leaders. “To get ahead, put others first and die to self,” he told participants.
Egedegbe also discussed the importance of focus, vision, and the willingness to nurture others. “You can only seize what you can see,” he said. “The future belongs to those who see possibilities before they become obvious.” He urged leaders to develop other leaders through mentoring, empowerment, and sustained follow-up. “When you become a leader, you lose the right to think only about yourself,” he remarked.
He concluded with a call for leaders to build legacies that outlive them. “Every leader should aim to identify, nurture, equip, and develop other leaders,” he said. “When this happens, there is nothing they cannot achieve. People development is a worthy and fulfilling experience for any leader.”
Quoting John Maxwell, he added, “To live a worthwhile, meaningful life, a person must be part of something greater than himself.”
In a related session, CSP Temi Agbede-Zuokumor, Divisional Police Officer of Ugborikoko Police Station, spoke on “Police: You and Your Environment,” urging Nigerians to see national security as a shared responsibility.
She noted that law enforcement cannot succeed without the active cooperation of citizens. “Security should not be seen as the duty of the police alone,” she said. “Every citizen must take responsibility for lawful conduct and vigilance.”
Agbede-Zuokumor explained that the Nigerian Police Force is established to protect lives and property, stressing that the preservation of life takes precedence. “If a thief enters your compound and someone shoots him dead, everyone involved may be arrested because property can be replaced, but life cannot,” she said.
She clarified that road accidents are quasi-criminal cases and encouraged mediation before escalation. However, she warned that driving without a valid license remains a grave offense. “An unlicensed driver is a potential killer,” she stated, recommending medical and psychological evaluations for license renewals.
The DPO condemned reckless driving, often fuelled by drugs and alcohol. “People drive under the influence and later claim they didn’t see anyone crossing. How can they see when their senses are clouded?” she asked.
She emphasized that prevention, not just punishment, should be central to policing. “We mostly react after the damage is done. Until we begin to see prevention as everyone’s duty, we will keep counting casualties,” she said, calling for renewed public enlightenment campaigns by the National Orientation Agency.
Citing examples from the United Kingdom, Agbede-Zuokumor encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities and instil vigilance in their children. “When your children go to school, tell them, ‘You are the police officer of your class today—observe and report,’” she advised.
She spoke candidly about parenting, warning that neglect and broken homes often lead to youth delinquency. “Many parents are busy but not productive,” she said. “When children stop talking, danger grows unnoticed.”
Recalling her career at the State CID in Asaba, she said integrity earned her colleagues’ respect. “They called me ‘Madam Legal’ because I always told the truth, regardless of who was involved. That is what people want—truth and fairness,” she said.
Agbede-Zuokumor also discussed enforcement challenges such as tinted-glass regulations, noting that some violent crimes have been committed in vehicles hidden from public view. “Within 14 days of buying a tinted car, the law requires replacement with transparent glass, but many ignore it,” she said.
Concluding her lecture, she urged Nigerians to live by example. “Those who are not parents today will be parents tomorrow. Leadership begins with us,” she said, recalling her father’s advice: “When a man comes to you with a fine car, ask if he wants to give you the car. If not, he’s only out to use you to decorate the front seat.”
Her closing message was direct: “Be intentional. Teach your children. Tell them the truth early. The police cannot secure society alone. We all must lead by example.”
The session ended with applause as both speakers left participants inspired to combine leadership values with civic responsibility to build a safer and more disciplined society.
Meanwhile, the Set 9 Leadership School of the VREI Centre LSD Leadership Programme also elected its executive team to pilot the affairs of the set. The elected officers are as follows:
Meanwhile, the Set 9 Leadership School of the VREI Centre LSD Leadership Programme has elected its executive team to steer the affairs of the set. The newly elected officers include Lisa Akemu as Governor and Peace Edem as Deputy Governor. Itohan Mercy emerged as Commissioner of Finance, while Evelyn O. Onoezioma was chosen as Commissioner of Information. Others are Abute O. Lawrence, Commissioner of Programmes; Kelvin, Commissioner of Special Duties; Janet Peter, Commissioner of Welfare; Sunday Oyibo, Commissioner of Protocol; and Gabriel O. Ohwoase, Commissioner of Strategy.
The election was conducted at the close of the day’s session, symbolizing the school’s commitment to participatory governance and experiential leadership development among emerging leaders.