Hon. George Boniface Simbachawene (MP), Minister of State, President’s Office––Public Service Management and Good Governance, attended as guest of honour. The keynote address was delivered by Mrs. Suzanne Innes-Stubb, First Lady of Finland and a renowned international expert in the fields of law and ethics.
The graduates’ accomplishments reflected our mission and vision, with programmes designed for personal growth and removing obstacles to transformative leadership across the continent. At its heart, transformational leadership is about engaging with and influencing others––by paying attention to their needs, raising their motivation, and providing an ethical framework for decisions. Our executive education programmes aim to develop a leadership style that goes beyond traditional management tactics to drive innovation and foster a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered. They hone in on the leader’s ability to manage their inner self (personal leadership), lead others (people leadership), and harness resources (organisational leadership). The PGD, CiL, and WLP are dedicated for leaders from all sectors who want to propel their professional development without putting their careers on hold. The faculty consists of experts in the field of leadership development from across the world.
During his speech, Minister Simbachawene observed that good leadership is a prerequisite for sustainable development. He applauded UONGOZI Institute’s commitment to inspiring and equipping African leaders to deliver inclusive and sustainable solutions for African citizens, saying:
“Advancing their professional career means advancing the performance of those they lead and advancing the cause of sustainable development in their nations and the wider continent.”
Turning to graduates, the Minister urged them to embrace transformative leadership by acting with integrity, fostering innovative thinking, and supporting their teams and organisations to unlock their full potential.
Minister Simbachawene during his address.
On her part, First Lady Innes-Stubb advised the graduating class to listen to others and to make evidence-based decisions:
“From my own experience, I have learnt that effective leadership requires four things: listening carefully, observing reality, taking decisions based on facts, and always acting in accordance with your values.”
She pointed out that leaders often prefer the sound of their own voices to those of the people around them, but the most successful leaders are those who surround themselves with brilliant team members and listen to what they have to say. She added that observing reality is more important than ever in today’s world, where the spread of misinformation and disinformation is on the rise. She said:
“I learnt long ago from my work in corporate ethics and compliance that jumping to conclusions based on limited information rarely leads to the right results and best solutions.”
The First Lady further recognised the progress that Tanzania has made in the representation of women in leadership, noting that the country is “setting an inspiring example” and that President Samia Suluhu Hassan is “a role model for girls and women across Tanzania”. She commended the Institute’s commitment to increasing women’s participation in leadership through WLP.
First Lady Innes-Stubb delivers keynote speech.
Delivering a vote of thanks, Amb. Ombeni Sefue, Chairperson of UONGOZI Institute’s Board of Directors, expressed appreciation to Minister Simbachawene, First Lady Innes-Stubb and other distinguished guests for taking the time to attend the event. He congratulated the graduates for their hard work and wished them success as they continue on their leadership journeys. He said:
“There is an African saying: he who learns, teaches. And I say to you, the world needs your ideas––go share them. I should also like to believe that you leave with more than a diploma or certificate, but that you are inspired, and you carry with you needed momentum for transformative leadership.”
Amb. Sefue gives a vote of thanks.
PGD and CiL are designed and delivered in collaboration with Aalto University Executive Education and Professional Development (Finland). They are implemented with support from the governments of Tanzania and Finland. The WLP receives support from the two governments as well as the European Union and UN Women.
