By Daniel Henry –
Efforts at preparing Nigerian youths for leadership positions in the future was given a boost at a 5 day leadership training put together by the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
Graduates and non-graduates across the state were drawn and placed on a five- day intensive training on leadership initiative and personal development.
In a statement Lagos Commissioner, Agboola Dabiri, stated that the Lagos State Youth Ministry is committed to make the socio-economic, cultural, political and technological environment conducive for youth to maximize their potential in line with the theme “Safe Spaces for Youth” of 2018 international Youth day.
Responding to questions, the commissioner said that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration has put in place programs and policies to give the youth spaces to make exploits in their careers.
“This administration has various programs and policies in the state for the youths like; Initiation and publication of Lagos State Youth Policy as well as the establishment of Lagos State Employment Trust Fund with N25 Billion endowment, therefore I charged you to embrace these and many other opportunities in the state.” he said.
Agboola reiterated Mr Ambode’s commitment to ensuring that such programs and policies are backed with actions.
The commissioner sheds more lights “the 2018 international youths week is designed to make youths to gain better understanding of leaders’ responsibilities and make contributions to state policies and visions and improving their communicate skills with everyone and to harness the power of positive thinking to make them achieve great feels at all levels of their endeavours.” She added.
He also sound a note of caution to political leaders to shun all manner of political rascality and rancour but radiate probity and civility and respect for dignity of Life saying that it’s unsafe for the future leadership of the state and nation.
“Youth need a safe spaces and environment in all ramifications where they can actively participate in activities that promotes socio-economic development and feel the sense of belonging when their potential are harnessed. Thus; the leadership training will inspires youth to aspire for greater heights and how to get there in a Godly way.” he asseverated.
At one of the designated centres in Ikorodu, the National coordinator, Positive Values Initiative, Fanka Orakwe, who delivered a key lecture said the initiative is essential and timely for the youths considering the relevance and need for quality leadership Nigeria.
She said “Nigeria is in need of selfless Leaders like the biblical Moses who will deliver us from mephistophelian administration which we have suffered over five decades.”
Franka who spoke on Moral Etiquette and social Skills expressed sadness over the level of moral decadence in the society and parents’ failures to do the needful in the families. “is unfortunate that moral decay amongst young people is at alarming rate, and some parents watch on helplessly while children go wild in attitude, even school teachers are not exempted either, for this reason, the ministry of youth decided it incorporate ethics, etiquttes and social skills into this year’s leadership program to prepare them for responsible leadership roles both in the families and the society at large”
Still speaking “the ill -bred street boy or girl of today Will be your artisan tomorrow and the ill -bred educated boy or girl today will be your 2nd medical doctor or consultant tomorrow, so it’s expedient to inculcate the virtues that will make them responsible leaders” she maintained.
The facilitator further stressed that the country would not get any better if families remains weak in shaping and polishing the children’s behaviors, saying that the the development or backwardness of any country starts from the family “The development of any nation is a function of the caliber of men and women who make positive impacts in their countries, so the family is the first institution amongst others saddled with the responsibilities of raising responsible men and women for nation building, but if families fails to do the needful then the country retains its backward position amongst the comity of Nations.
She revealed that participants undergo different forms of aptitude test after the training from which the best participants emerges as the Lagos Youths ambassador for the year.
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