Bringing out youths’ potentials will tackle leadership challenges in Nigeria, says Commissioner Ogundele

The leadership potentials inherent in today’s youths can be harnessed to tackle leadership challenges that the nation is currently facing, says Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Ogunlende.

He stated this in a keynote address he delivered at the opening ceremony of year 2024 Five-Day Ibile Youth Academy Divisional Training at Onikan Youth Centre in Lagos.

He added, “The Ibile Youth Academy is a flagship initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development created to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders. It is designed to nurture leadership qualities, foster community engagement and promote volunteerism among young Lagosians. It is a crucial platform to equip our youths with skills, knowledge and values needed to become catalysts for positive change and take up leadership roles.”

“At the core of the Ibile Youth Academy is the drive to foster leadership, civic responsibility and personal growth. The platform instils five essential values: integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, perseverance and excellence, which are principles that define outstanding leadership and success in any endeavor.”

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu noted that the programme was a transformative journey of capacity building, personal development and collective growth, equipping young minds to lead with innovation and integrity.

Oke-Osanyintolu maintained that the Ibile Youth Academy had become a beacon of hope for young people across Lagos State because it is serving as a platform to harness their talents, instil leadership values and provide them with the tools to thrive in today’s dynamic world and position them to play their role in driving sustainable development, fostering social cohesion and building resilient communities.

Notably, this year’s Ibile Youth Academy has generated more interest among the young people in Lagos as over 3,763 applications were submitted out of which 1,228 applicants who scaled through the rigorous selection process were invited for the physical screening held across the Five Divisions of Lagos State.

The Ibile Youth Academy Divisional Training taking place simultaneously across the five divisions is expected to produce top 10 participants from each Division who will proceed to the exclusive Ibile Youth Academy Residential Boot Camp from which five Divisional Ambassadors and one State Ambassador will emerge as team leaders.