IGLSA Holds Leadership Clinic, Task Youth Leaders On Integrity.
By Raymond Enoch
The Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA ) has organized a three day leadership clinic in a bids to prepare Nigeria young people for leadership role .
The theme of the three day clinic is ‘’Developing a Critical Mass of Emerging African Youth Leaders with 21st Century Leadership and Governance Capacities’’ was designed to train the participants on value of leadership.
The clinic session which took place at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre Asokoro Abuja has as its objectives to develop a critical mass of Nigerian Youth leaders with the capacity for and skills in leadership and governance, establish an alumni structure of the mentees of the program with the view to providing a national platform for sustainability, mutual reinforcement and attracting attention to issues of governance and leadership,
The Clinic also aimed at encouraging greater investment and focus on leadership and governance by both the government and non-state sector and to enhance the interest of Nigerian leaders through volunteering to serve as mentors and or support the project by providing necessary funding
Speaking at the event, the Director -General of the Institute Dr. Lanre Adebayo said that youth are the hope of any prosperous nation, as such must be properly trained and be equipped for the future.
He stated that the Institute is poised to change the narrative by focusing on the youth as a deliberate move for providing a fertile ground through which mentorship and alumni program can contribute to nation building and national development
Declaring the clinic session opened, the Key Note Speaker His Excellency, Rt Hon. Umar Fintiri Executive Governor of Adamawa state represented by the Hon. Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Dr Umar Garba Pella said that there’s no better time for this leadership and governance clinic told hold than now as the youth needs to take back their place and mandate in the democratic space in Nigeria and Africa.
He spoke on the characteristics that the youth should look at in electing a new government come in Nigeria come 2023 general elections. .
Governor Fintiri said that the rising enthusiasm among young people, as evidenced during the current voter registration exercise which took place across the country and their heightened involvement in political activities is a testimony of youth activism. He nevertheless, suggested that this trajectory is about to alter for a purposeful leadership. He added that the youths should realise their power and be better equipped for leadership.
In a communique issued at the end of the three day clinic, the participants called on the government, donor community and private sector as well as other well-meaning Nigerians to support IGLSA in its effort to building the capacity of Nigerian youth.
The communique also called on the youth to shun all forms of violence and seek to engage meaningfully at all times in order to contribute to development and good governance process in Nigeria.
Highlights of the activities at the clinic was presentations of papers by experts who provided insightful discourse into youth leadership and good governance. Also there was experience sharing by accomplished personalities and presentations of certificates to the participants.
