As part of its administration’s desire to build a competent leadership for tomorrow, Lagos State Government unveiled 50 Youths that are qualified for Ibile Youth Leadership Academy Training Camp. The 50 candidates were picked among the 500 participants that cut across the five divisions of the state, namely, Ikeja, Badagry; Ikorodu; Lagos Island and Epe (IBILE)..
Speaking at the unveiling today during the One-day Leadership Seminar, organised by the Ministry of Youth and Social Development at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.
event, the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu stated that his administration is committed to cultivating a generation of youth who are empowered, skilled, and ready to lead their communities.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat added that the state government places a strong emphasis on youth as a central pillar of her development agenda.
“From the outset, we have prioritized creating a supportive environment for youth engagement, capacity building, and representation in government. This includes appointing young leaders to key roles in the Lagos State Government, demonstrating our commitment to giving our youth a platform to develop and exercise their leadership abilities while contributing meaningfully to the progress of our State and nation,” said the Governor.
Speaking further, Sanwo-Olu elucidated that the establishment of the Ibile Youth Academy reflects his administration’s shared vision of building a prosperous future by investing in young people. Since its inception in 2017, the academy has played a pivotal role in nurturing young leaders across Lagos State.
He added the programme is designed to instill core values that are essential for outstanding leadership, including patriotism, volunteerism, discipline, integrity, resilience, collaboration, communication, and innovation, stating that these values are crucial for any well-rounded leader as it will empower them to excel in diverse fields, whether in their communities or on the global stage.
The Governor stated that the nation requires youths who possess a keen sense of integrity and honour to build the Country we all envisage.
While admonishing the youths, Sanwo-Olu noted that they need to educate themselves beyond the school, seek how to get information within a stipulated time, adding that “potentials don’t put food on the table but hardwork and integrity”.
In his welcome address, the Commissioner for Youth & Social Development, Mr. Mobolaji Ogunlende said that the participants have been equipped with the right mindset, and tools to address both local and global challenges which are capable of building the future everyone envisioned.
The Commissioner stated that the theme of the event ‘the Future we want; the Youths we need’ captures the essence, mission, and aspirations that the Ministry holds for the future of the state and country. Ogunlende added that the youths have fully embraced a transformative journey that has not only equipped them with valuable skills but has also deepened their understanding of leadership and communal community responsibility.
He stressed that all the 500 hundred youths who participated in the program were chosen on merit and personal recognition.
Earlier in his presentation, themed, “Leadership and Social Change”, the Managing Partner, Oludare Akinlaja Research & Development Co., Mr. Oludare Akinlaja emphasized the need for Nigerian Youth to have a re-orientation of leadership by not focusing on the pecks but considering leadership as a service to whatever gathering they find themselves.
He stressed that Nigerian youth should change their perception of leadership, by seeing it as a call for service rather than personal gains in various settings.
According to Oludare Akinlaja, “ Leadership is about the strive to resharpen one’s environment, an urge to redefine the society”.
He therefore advised them to imbibe the true virtues of integrity, character, and skills, which would make them respected and relevant in their communities. “if you want people to pay attention to you, you must pay attention to integrity, values, skills, character, and the intelligence needed,” he said
