Searchlight News Hosts 8th Global Leadership Summit as Experts Call for New Era of Transformative Leadership and Tech-Driven Growth
Searchlight News Hosts 8th Global Leadership Summit as Experts Call for New Era of Transformative Leadership and Tech-Driven Growth
By Success Okezie
The conversation on Nigeria’s development took a bold turn on Saturday in Lagos, as thought leaders, business executives, maritime professionals, and policymakers gathered for the *8th Global Leadership Summit & Award 2026.
The high-level event, held at the *Presken Hotel & Resort, Ikeja*, was organised by *Searchlight News Online, Global Searchlight Magazine, and SLTV Online* under the theme:
*“Transformative Leadership for Sustainable Growth: Driving Innovation, Institutional Excellence and National Development.”*
More than just an awards ceremony, the summit served as a national dialogue — one focused on redefining leadership, strengthening institutions, and leveraging technology to unlock Nigeria’s growth potential.
*”LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT IMPACT, NOT TITLE” – ADESOKAN*
Setting the tone, *Olori Lola Adesokan*, Publisher of Global Searchlight Magazine and Convener of the summit, challenged the conventional idea of leadership.
“Leadership should no longer be defined simply by titles, positions or office,” she told the audience.
“True leadership is measured by the lives we touch, the institutions we strengthen, the opportunities we create, and the legacy of positive change we leave behind.”
Adesokan said the summit was designed to do two things: celebrate Nigerians and institutions making a difference, and create a platform for honest conversations that can inspire action.
She called on leaders across sectors to blend *innovation with accountability, professionalism with compassion, and ambition with service to the people.*
One of the most compelling moments came from the keynote speaker, *Mrs. Funmilayo Omowumi Loremikan, FCILT*, a respected figure in maritime and logistics with over three decades of experience.
Speaking on *“Leading Beyond Retirement: Reinventing Leadership, Building Visibility, and Creating Lasting Impact in a Changing World,”* Loremikan made a case for redefining what retirement means for professionals.
“Retirement should not be the end of relevance or contribution,” she said.
“We must move from positional leadership to legacy leadership — where your experience becomes mentorship, consulting, entrepreneurship, board service, and community impact.”
She introduced a 4-stage roadmap for professionals: *Reflect, Reposition, Reinvent, and Relaunch*. She urged them to invest in lifelong learning, digital skills, and visibility to remain relevant.
Loremikan also challenged government and corporate organisations to create formal structures for mentoring and knowledge transfer.
“Experienced professionals are not liabilities. They are assets. They are part of our human capital and must be deployed for national development,” she stressed.
Discussions on the maritime industry centered on one word: *technology*.
*Liav Zilberman*, General Manager of *L.T Coastal & Marine Services Limited*, told participants that digital innovation is no longer optional for the sector.
“Innovation doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated,” he said.
“Start by asking simple questions: Why do we do it this way? Where is time being wasted? Where is information getting lost? Then use technology to make people better at their jobs.”
Zilberman emphasized that technology should *empower humans, not replace them*. “Vessels don’t sail themselves. Software doesn’t make decisions alone. We need better tools for better people.”
He unveiled *ORI*, an in-house digital platform developed by L.T.T to give management real-time visibility of fleet operations. The system was built from scratch to solve internal challenges, rather than forcing the company to adapt to an imported solution.
He specially recognized *Mr. Benazir Akindele*, the company’s IT lead, for driving the project from concept to execution.
The presentation highlighted a key industry shift: maritime operators are now prioritizing data-driven systems for faster decision-making, better safety, and improved fleet management.
The summit brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, women leaders under WIMA Nigeria, and development experts, all pushing for the same goal — a Nigeria driven by competent, ethical, and forward-thinking leadership.
Beyond panel discussions, the event also featured an awards segment to recognize individuals and institutions excelling in leadership, innovation, and service.
As the event closed, the message was clear: Nigeria’s next phase of growth will not come from business as usual. It will come from leaders who build institutions, embrace technology, and measure success by the impact they leave behind.
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