By Nudoiba Ojen
Participants at the yearly conference organized by the Martinsons Development Initiative tagged ‘Leadership and Good Citizenship’ with the central theme: ‘Transform Nigeria 2023’ are upbeat that Nigeria would soon recover her once glorious era of Giant of Africa.
The participants at the conference which held at the auditorium of Covenant Lifeway Church, Camp Abeokuta included the Presiding Bishop of the Church, Bishop Dr Richard Ige; Fisheries Entrepreneur, Mr Steve Okeleji; and the Chairman, Odeda Local Government Council, Ogun State, Hon. Folashade Adeyemo.
They charged youths not to shirk in contributing their quota to nation building by using their potentials positively for the country’s advancement.
The Convener of the conference, Bishop Ige, was of the views that with the preponderance of human and natural resources which the country parades, hopes for the actualization of a transformed Nigeria is just closer at the door.
Dr Ige posited, however, that the road to recovery of the country would require the deliberate intervention of good leadership and the input of good citizenship.
Bishop Ige tasked the youths in particular to brace up to the responsibility of utilizing good citizenship to revamp the nation by intentionally driving change in the society.
The cleric said, “Our youths must remember that whatever Nigeria is today and will be tomorrow is our collective responsibility. With our collective input, Nigeria shall be great again”
According to him, the youths are no longer the leaders of tomorrow stressing: “It is a deception to say our youths are leaders in future whereas they are the ones leading us today.”
Also speaking in the same vein, the council chairman, Adeyemo charged the youths to develop trust and faith in the Nigeria Project as she posited that a transformed Nigeria was achievable with the cooperation of all.
Hon. Adeyemo tasked the youths to change their mindsets from undue crave for wealth and get-rich-quick syndrome in order to tap their leadership skills vital for nation building.
The council boss lamented the current trend of negative vices prone to youths which she listed to include peer pressure, loss of moral values, substance abuse, ritual practices, yahoo and internet related frauds.
As a resolution strategy, she said youths must utilize their precious time to build up skills to shore up their employability and relevance to nation building.
Another Guest Speaker at the conference, Mr Steve Okeleji, who is the founder of Aquatic Hub Afrique Network, agreed with Bishop Ige and Dr Adeyemo in their optimism of imminent restoration of Nigeria to the once glorious era.
Mr Okeleji said the task of fixing Nigeria must begin with the presence of inspirational leadership and deliberate efforts at enacting change at all facets of the country’s life.
According to him, the youths which represents a critical mass of the society must develop a strong yearning to fill the gap and also strive to possess knowledge for productive enterprise.
“Our youths must find role models to provide inspirational leadership. We all have a role to play in nation building. You must go for knowledge with all your getting. You have to hunger for knowledge which is what makes the difference”, he stressed.
As part of the highlights of the event, commemorative plaques were presented to deserving beneficiaries including Mr Kunle Odunjo who was voted Best Agriprenual of the year; Mrs Bernise Olusola Oyewumi, Best Entrepreneur Award; and Mrs Fauziya Adenekan, Reputable Librarian Award.
Others included Woman of Influence Award to Dr Folashade Adeyemo being the first woman chairman of Odeda Local Government; Leadership Impact for Police, SP Olusegun Odofin; Civil Defence, CSC Subair Olabode Olakunle; and a TRACE personnel, Commander Agnes Opeyemi.
