By Sandra Chukwunyere
The Publisher of Global Searchlight Magazine, Lola Adesokan, has identified innovation and strong institutions as key drivers of sustainable national development, stressing that innovation alone cannot produce lasting progress without effective institutions.
Adesokan made the assertion at the 8th Global Leadership Summit & Award 2026, with the theme, “Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development”, in Lagos on Saturday.
The event convener urged leaders across business, government, maritime operations, technology, media and other sectors to embrace new ideas and approaches, while strengthening institutions capable of translating innovation into sustainable results.
“Innovation is at the heart of sustainable development. Across business, government, maritime operations, technology, media and other sectors, we must be prepared to think differently and embrace new ideas. But innovation without strong institutions cannot produce lasting progress”, she said.
The publisher stressed that institutional excellence also required leadership that combines creativity with accountability, professionalism with compassion, and ambition with commitment to the greater good.
She also emphasised the need to build institutions where competence is rewarded, people are valued, young professionals are given opportunities, and leadership is guided by fairness, responsibility and service.
“We need leaders who can combine creativity with accountability, professionalism with compassion, and ambition with a genuine commitment to the greater good.
“When our institutions become stronger, our nation becomes stronger”.
Adesokan said the demands of contemporary society had made it necessary for leadership to be measured not by titles or positions, but by the positive impact leaders make on people, institutions and society.
According to her, true leadership should be reflected in the lives touched, institutions strengthened, opportunities created and positive change left behind by those in positions of responsibility.
Adesokan said the Global Leadership Summit & Award was established to recognise and celebrate individuals and institutions whose contributions were making meaningful impact across different sectors.
She noted that the platform had, over the years, brought together individuals and institutions whose contributions deserved to be documented and celebrated, adding that this year’s honourees shared the courage and commitment to make a difference.
The publisher said the summit was not merely about presenting plaques and certificates, but also about telling stories of excellence, inspiring others and reaffirming the importance of good leadership.
She described the awards as recognition of stories of sacrifice, perseverance, service and achievement, while urging the recipients to see the honour as an encouragement to do more.
She expressed hope that the summit would generate new relationships, fresh ideas and lasting partnerships, while challenging participants to lead better, innovate boldly, strengthen institutions and contribute meaningfully to national development.
