The Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA) organized a three-day program for emerging Youth Leaders at the Nigerian Army Resource Center, Asokoro, Abuja, 5th to 7th December, 2022, tagged
“Governance and Leadership Mentoring Clinic for Emerging Youth Leaders in Nigeria.
The training with the theme: “Developing A Critical Mass of Emerging African Youth Leaders With 21st Century Leadership and
Governance Capabilities”, drew over 50 participants from various youths’ organizations such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs),
clubs and associations and the media, selected from across the 36 states of the Federation and Abuja.
According to Mohammed Bougei Attah (NGO Network, Kaduna) and Wale Abideen, Security Monitor, Lagos, who signed the communique, the aim of the training was “to develop a critical mass of Nigerian youth leaders with capacity and skills in leadership and governance”.
Similarly, the clinic aimed at “establishing an alumni structure of the mentees of the programme with a view to providing a national
platform for sustainability, mutual reinforcement and attracting attention to issues of governance and leadership”.
Also, “to encourage greater investments 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”.
Two syndicate groups formed during the three-day training after robust discussions observed that, that type of leadership and governance clinic should be a continuous event.
They equally observed the urgent need for “youths to be advised to shun violence and anti-social acts, and rather engage and contribute to the political process in the country”.
In addition, it was observed that “leaving the country is not the best option for development, instead, youths are advised to stay
behind to develop the country”.
They also observed “that there is a wide gap between the Nigerian leaders and the youths which needs to be filled by policy of mentors and mentees”.
The clinic therefore recommended that: “IGLSA should strive to embark on more membership drive so as to serve its deserving purpose in Nigeria and Africa at large.
This, according to the participants “will go a long way in preparing Nigerians youths for good leadership role”;
The participants therefore recommend “that the government, private organizations, diplomatic corps and donor organizations should embrace this initiative by supporting IGLSA to build more capacity and to sustain the initiative”.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Nuhu O. Yaqub, former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, who served as the Chairman of the Day One, charged the participants to take focus on the training and outcomes of the Clinic, noting that “every good
leader is a good learner”.
A special presentation on “Democracy, Development and National Security” by Maj-Gen. K.A Role (Rtd) former GOC, 1 Mechanized Infantry Division, Nigerian Army, and goodwill messages were delivered from the National Youth Council of Nigeria and some media practitioners.
Day two saw Mr. Ayodele Folayan, former Federal Permanent Secretary, deliver a paper entitled: “Policy Processes, Management and National Development”; Mr. Ifeanyi Peters Ugwuoke, National Program Manager, United Kingdom UKaid Partnership to Engage Reform and Learn (PERL), also delivered a paper on the “Principles, Processes and Practice of Governance”, while some invited guests including: Comrade Wale Ajani, former President of National Youth Council of Nigeria; Amb. Dr. Kema Chikwe, former Minister of Aviation and former Nigeria High Commissioner to Ireland; Dr. Hope Uweja, Country Director, Results for Development (R4D) Nigeria; Dr. Sina Fagbenro-Bryon; and Solomon Adodo, President, National Youth Council of Nigeria, made presentations.
