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In today’s fast-changing digital economy, the world needs not only software and cloud engineers but also mentors who can grow resilient teams and communities. Leke Ariyo, a Senior Site Reliability and Cloud Infrastructure Engineer with several years of experience, has worked across high-growth startups and enterprise systems. Beyond building fault-tolerant platforms, he has mentored over 100 aspiring engineers. Tribune sat down with him to explore why mentorship, as much as technology, will shape the future of digital talent globally.

Leke, when did you first realise mentorship would be central to your career?

Early on, I benefited from guidance that went beyond just process or tools, but mentors who showed me how to think about systems and leadership. When I became more established, I saw gaps in access, especially for underrepresented groups. That’s when I began giving back through bootcamps, BCS, Codementor, Utiva, and guiding over 100 learners worldwide.

The tech industry can be relentless. How does mentorship make it more sustainable?

Technology shifts constantly. Kubernetes today, something else tomorrow. What doesn’t change is people. Mentorship makes the journey less isolating. It builds resilience by giving engineers role models and problem-solving frameworks. In my teams, mentorship has directly improved retention and productivity, because people feel supported, not left behind. Also, it is hard for people to start up in tech because of factors like imposter syndrome, but good mentors keep you going.

What does your mentorship look like in practice?

It’s layered. I run structured sessions, from fundamentals of cloud engineering to advanced DevOps practices. I also mentor one-to-one, focusing on confidence, communication, and career mapping. A proud example was coaching a mentee from a non-technical background into landing their first SRE role. He now mentor others, and that ripple effect is the true impact.

Beyond mentoring, how do you contribute thought leadership in tech?

I have led system design initiatives, from cloud migrations to observability rollouts, that others now use as playbooks. I publish guides, speak at community events, been a judge at events and share insights on building platforms that meet SLOs, not just SLAs. For me, thought leadership is about making complex engineering ideas usable for others, both within the industry and beyond it.

What advice would you give to a young engineer in 2025?

Don’t chase tools, chase problems. A resilient career comes from understanding why things break, not just how to fix them. And remember, your growth accelerates when you help others grow. Mentorship is not just for mentees. It helps mentors solidify what they already know.

You talk a lot about resilience. What does resilience mean for engineers today?

Resilience is not just uptime on a dashboard. It is the ability to adapt, to keep learning, and to recover from failure without fear. For engineers, resilience comes from supportive teams and mentors who remind you that mistakes are lessons, not career-ending moments.

Can mentorship help close diversity gaps in technology?

Yes. Many people from underrepresented backgrounds never make it past the first hurdle, not because of lack of ability, but because of lack of guidance. When they see someone who has walked a similar path, it changes what they believe is possible. I have seen mentees gain confidence just by realising they are not alone in their challenges.

What role does mentorship play in leadership?

I believe leaders are remembered less for the systems they built and more for the people they raised. Mentorship trains you to listen, to coach, and to put others ahead of yourself. Those are the same skills that make great leaders.

How do you balance technical work with mentoring others?

I see them as connected. Teaching someone why a system failed sharpens my own understanding. Writing down processes for mentees often becomes documentation for the wider team. Mentorship and technical growth reinforce each other when you make them part of the same cycle.

What has been your most rewarding moment as a mentor?

It was seeing a former mentee stand on stage at a GDG event, sharing her journey and insights with others. I did not need any credit. Just knowing she had the confidence to do that was enough. That is when I knew the cycle was working.

If you could change one thing about how mentorship is viewed in the global tech community, what would it be?

I would want mentorship to be seen as core infrastructure, not a side project. Companies invest millions into tools and platforms, but far less into mentorship structures. Yet it is mentorship that builds the human resilience needed to handle the next wave of innovation.

Closing

For Leke Ariyo, innovation isn’t just measured in code or uptime, but in the people who grow stronger through mentorship. In a world obsessed with the next big technology, he argues that the quiet work of guidance may prove to be the global tech community’s strongest competitive edge.

The Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has called for the unconditional release of the incarcerated leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The call was made during the 2025 Igbo Day celebration held on Monday at the Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, the Anambra State capital. The event was attended by Igbo-speaking people from Abia, Anambra, Benue, Delta, Edo, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo and Rivers states.

Traditional rulers from the listed states also used the occasion to confer on Governor Chukwuma Soludo the title of Oku nyeru Ife (the light that rekindles light in Igboland).

The National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, represented by the Deputy President-General, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, explained that the release of Kanu was necessary, as no court of competent jurisdiction had found him guilty of any offence.

Mbata expressed confidence that freeing Kanu would bring lasting peace and stability to the region and urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider it a pact for the Independence Day celebration.

Speaking on the Igbo Day celebration, Mbata said it was designed to remember the Igbo who lost their lives during the civil war, as well as those who died in violent incidents across the country. He noted that the Igbo had already forgiven those who contributed to the killings but would not want such atrocities repeated.

He said:

‘We have also forgiven those who killed our people and ask them to forgive us too. We do not want a repeat of such killings in Nigeria or elsewhere. 29 September is set aside to remember our brothers and sisters brutally murdered on 29 September, 1966, and those killed across the country before and after the war.

‘We remain proud of our heroes past and look forward to new heroes. We are compelled to do the right thing at all times to one another. We call on everyone to be united. We do not want a desolate Igboland; we want to build Igboland as a destination for all.

‘We will stand up for each other to build a strong nation, a viable economy, and a united and progressive Igboland. We are not asking for special treatment but for equal rights, access and opportunities to live and make Nigeria proud.’

On his part, Governor Chukwuma Soludo, who was bestowed with the chieftaincy title of Oku nyeru Ife, appealed to President Tinubu to make the release of Kanu a top priority, saying it would speed up engagements for a better and more prosperous Nigeria.

He said:

‘We have seen the devastating effects of war, and it is crucial we prioritise peace and collaboration. I urge Ohanaeze Ndigbo to lead the charge in reviving and promoting our value system through moral transformation. I also reiterate my earlier call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Asiwaju of Nigeria, for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.’

While commending Ohanaeze for the honour, Soludo urged the body to regard the Igbo Day celebration as a time for sober reflection on the past and what the future holds.

‘Our future lies in having a prosperous homeland. We cannot be confined to one small geopolitical zone as the Igbo. We are very industrious people. The Igbo need Nigeria, and Nigeria needs the Igbo. The Igbo need Africa, and Africa needs the Igbo. The Igbo need the world, and the world needs the Igbo.

‘Therefore, we must hold on to the spirit of oneness and tolerance we were once known for. We are major stakeholders in the Nigerian project and must be eager to stand out and support the building of a liveable and prosperous homeland. We must not leave anyone behind.

‘The debate for Igbo liberation must not be about leaving Nigeria. The Igbo are not known for killing themselves or their guests. We need social and moral rebirth. We must stop celebrating wealth acquired through questionable means.’

Also speaking, the Anambra State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezekwu, commended Governor Soludo for always standing for the truth. He noted that the governor’s leadership style and developmental strides were the reason he was honoured on the occasion.

According to Okpalaezekwu, although Anambra State had long been described as ‘Home for All’ and ‘Light of the Nation’, it became a reality during Soludo’s tenure.

‘We have finally become the light of the nation under Governor Soludo. Through his leadership, Anambra State has witnessed significant progress in infrastructure, security, education and other sectors,’ he said.

Islamic scholars, imams, traditional rulers, students and faithful from across Nigeria gathered in Ajase-Ipo, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, for the second annual Imams’ Conference a one-day event focused on revitalising the role of mosques and their leaders in contemporary society.

With the theme ‘The Mosque, the Imam and Da’wah’, the conference, organised by Daarus-Sa’aadah Islamic Centre, called for the adoption of a unified Friday sermon (Khutbah) across central mosques in the country.

Delivering a keynote lecture titled ‘The Role of the Mosque in Building the Ideal Muslim,’ renowned Islamic scholar and Grand Mufti of the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC), Ustadh Dhikrullahi Shafii, emphasised that the mosque should not be reduced to a mere prayer ground.

‘Historically, the mosque served as a hub for decision-making, social welfare, refuge, and even medical care,’ Shafii said, lamenting that these roles have been largely abandoned in many Muslim communities today – to the detriment of the Ummah.

He described the Imam as more than a sermon-giver, stressing the need for comprehensive knowledge in Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, and global affairs.

‘No individual can master all areas of Islamic jurisprudence. Therefore, scholars and Imams must specialise and collaborate to serve their communities effectively,’ he said.

Shafii proposed that mosques be repositioned to address broader community needs by establishing functional committees dedicated to areas such as youth engagement, women’s affairs, elder care, conflict resolution, marriage counselling, and naming ceremonies.

He further suggested that future editions of the conference span two to three days to deepen its impact, concluding with a communiqué that could guide implementation across mosques statewide.

Speaking on ‘Da’wah Without Bitterness: Etiquette of Disagreement in Islam,’ Dr. Sirajudeen Bila Al-Asra emphasised the importance of tolerance and humility in Islamic propagation. He urged preachers to approach disputes with wisdom and patience, noting that Islam abhors bitterness and arrogance in Da’wah.

Chairing the occasion, the Chief Imam of Ajase-Ipo, Shaykh Aliyu Taofeeq Atoloye, commended the programme’s contribution to the intellectual and spiritual development of scholars and religious leaders. He described the conference theme as timely, pointing out that it encouraged new perspectives on how mosques can function beyond routine prayers.

Atoloye joined other speakers in advocating for an extended duration for subsequent editions, describing the initiative as spiritually impactful and intellectually enriching.

Lagos-based philanthropist and businesswoman, Alhaja Rahmat Mojisola Salih, who sponsored the event, shared her personal journey into philanthropy, inspired by her grandmother’s teachings on giving back to the mosque.

‘As a child, I would spend part of the profit I made from hawking bread and other goods to buy items for cleaning the mosque. That experience shaped my lifelong commitment to supporting Islam,’ she said.

Salih encouraged other affluent individuals to dedicate part of their wealth to Islamic causes and community welfare.

In a goodwill message, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the conference as ‘highly educative,’ praising the organisers for advancing Islamic scholarship and leadership through purposeful dialogue and training.

Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has dissolved all statutory and non-statutory boards and commissions in the state.

The decision, which takes immediate effect, was announced in Uyo on Thursday by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prince Enobong Uwah.

According to the SSG, the governor acted under the Statutory Boards (Special Provisions) Law, 2023, and directed the affected chairmen to hand over to the most senior officers in their establishments.

‘The governor wishes members of the dissolved boards and commissions well in their future endeavours and commends them for their roles in advancing the ARISE agenda,’ Uwah said.

He further instructed that all government property in the custody of the affected chairmen be returned to ensure a smooth transition.

Our correspondent reports that the development, which marks a major shake-up in the state’s governance structure, had earlier been hinted at by Governor Eno during a media chat to mark Akwa Ibom’s 37th anniversary in 2024.

At the time, the governor said that he was ‘waiting for the right time’ to reorganise his administration and promised a valedictory session to appreciate commissioners and board members for their contributions to the state’s growth.

It is, however, believed that the dissolution signals the beginning of a new phase in the administration’s governance strategy.