The Lagos state government has selected 50 exceptional youths to participate in the IBILE youth leadership academy training.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at a one-day leadership seminar, described the development as a significant step towards cultivating future leaders.

The seminar was organised by the ministry of youth and social development at Alausa, Ikeja, on Thursday.

The seminar had the theme: “The Future We Want; The Youths We Need.”

50 youths were picked from 500 participants representing the five divisions of the state: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, and Epe (IBILE).

The IBILE Youth Academy, a comprehensive youth leadership and empowerment programme, aims to inspire, educate, and empower young individuals in Lagos, Nigeria.

The programme focuses on developing health, physical, personal, and social skills while promoting social interaction and grassroots development.

The governor represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, said his administration was committed to developing tomorrow’s leaders, equipping them with requisite skills for public service and governance.

“This initiative is committed to cultivating a generation of youths who are empowered, skilled, and ready to lead their communities.

“The state government places a strong emphasis on youths as a central pillar of its development agenda.

“From the outset, we have prioritised 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.

“We also encourage them to contribute meaningfully to the progress of our state and nation,” he said.

The governor said the establishment of the academy reflected his administration’s shared vision of building a prosperous future by investing in young people.

Mr Sanwo-Olu noted that since its inception in 2017, the academy has played a pivotal role in nurturing young leaders across the state.

He said: “The programme is designed to instil core values that are essential for outstanding leadership.

“This includes patriotism, volunteerism, discipline, integrity, resilience, collaboration, communication, and innovation.

“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 required youths who possessed a keen sense of integrity and honour to build the country the people envisaged.

He admonished the youth on the need to educate themselves beyond the school and seek better ways to get information within a stipulated time.

He urged them to be hardworking and ensure integrity in all their dealings.

“Potential do not put food on the table, but hard work and integrity do,” he said.

In his welcome address, Bolaji Ogunlende, the commissioner for youth and social development, said the theme captured the essence, mission, and aspirations the ministry held for the future of the state and country.

Mr Ogunlende said the participants had been equipped with the right mindsets and tools to address both local and global challenges.

Earlier in his presentation, titled: “Leadership and Social Change,” Dr Akinlaja Oludare, the managing partner, Oludare Akinlaja Research & Development Co., emphasised the need for leadership re-orientation among Nigerian youths.

Mr Oludare encouraged them not to focus on the pecks but to consider 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 to service rather than personal gains in various settings.

“Leadership is about striving to resharpen one’s environment, an urge to redefine society,” he said.

He, therefore, advised them to imbibe the true virtues of integrity, character, and skills, which would make them respected and relevant in their various communities.

“Skill, character, integrity and value is not by right but by building competence. If you want people to pay attention to you, you must pay attention to integrity, values, skills, and character,” he said.

(NAN)