Tunde Bakare, a politician and pastor of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), says current challenges in Nigeria are a result of institutional neglect that has eroded values in the people, especially the youth.

Mr Bakare made the remarks as a keynote speaker at the “Passing the Torch Mentorship Initiative” programme to commemorate the 60th birthday of the convener, Idorenyen Enang, in Lagos on Saturday.

He lamented that politicians had become overly consumed with the next election rather than the next generation, resulting in challenges facing the nation.

“The consequences are visible everywhere, as a generation that is highly exposed, technologically connected, intellectually aware, yet many lack direction due to a lack of mentorship,” he said.

Mr Bakare said Nigerian leaders need to begin mentoring the younger generation in values that could sustain nation-building.

According to him, nation-building is impossible without leadership continuity, noting that a vision without succession eventually dies.

He said, “Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not just build political structures; he built people. His influence shaped several leaders, like late Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande, Adekunle Ajasin, among others, who carried aspects of his vision into governance and public administration.

“In Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, played a foundational role in preparing and positioning Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for national leadership. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Pan-African ideals are not fully translated into ensuring institutions that could shape future generations of thinkers and statesmen.

“Nigeria has progressively lost many of the structures that once enabled effective trans-generational capacity building.”

According to Mr Bakare, mentorship is not difficult, but people are afraid to either mentor or be mentored.

He lauded the celebrant, describing him as a unique person who had mentored many in society.

“Enang is a living embodiment of mentorship. I have personally had the privilege to mentor him, just like he has mentored so many young people.

“I am particularly delighted that the celebrant chose to celebrate his 60 years by continuing to bring the issue of bridging the generation gap and mentoring younger Nigerians for a public discourse rather than throwing a list party.”

Also speaking, Mr Enang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Shepherds Ltd, said that Nigeria has the capacity to replicate what its past leaders and older generations had done.

Mr Enang, who founded the Passing -The Torch (PTT) Initiative, a platform for mentorship, said it would advance leadership continuity, nation-building and mentorship in Nigeria.

The business mogul and an executive-in-residence at Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University) said there is a huge need for a change in values in Nigeria, especially among the younger generation.

He pointed out that, despite challenges and the emulation of some bad leaders by the younger generation, the present generation could be mentored to progress and embrace change.

“I thank God for the gift of life at 60 and most importantly for the interest to mentor people.”

He pledged to ensure that titans continue to emerge from the mentorship process in Nigeria.

The panellists, Ini Abimbola, Julia Oku-Jacks, Femi Odugbemi, Ayo Adio and Fola Niyi-Duale, who moderated, reiterated the need for mentorship in Nigeria but noted that leaders need to have qualities the younger generation could emulate.

The panellists also agreed that, most importantly, the torch to be passed must be of high quality and high value, and have substance.

They also stressed the need for institutional mentorship, pointing out that individuals alone cannot mentor a nation.

The highlight of the event was the launch of a book, ’60 Navigational Truth’, written by Mr Enang.

The book reviewer, Charles Odenigbo Esq., said the book is one of the greatest gifts that Mr Enang could give as a mentor to his proteges.

He said that those in leadership and all sectors of society, including people in correctional centres, would find the book very useful, as it will inspire big change.

(NAN)