Nigerian Senate to spearhead empowerment programme for youth
Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki has revealed that in few days time from now, the upper legislative house would be opening a special public hearing on Youths, job creation and entrepreneurship. The sitting is expected to open up the legislative process for greater responsiveness to the needs and voices of the youths in the country.
He made the disclosure at the 2nd Annual Segun Adeleye Foundation For Good Leadership in Africa (SAFFGLA) lecture held recently at Centre of Excellence Hall, University of Lagos where he was represented by Senator Gbenga Ashafa.
The event had as its theme: “The youth and the challenge of bridging credible leadership gap in Africa”.
“In the 8th National Assembly, our approach to the leadership question is to create the legislative framework for the inclusion and greater participation of our youths. In a few days, I will be spearheading a youth development and empowerment programme in the Senate, in collaboration with youth organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs) and other partners. It will be a special public Hearing on Youths, job creation and Entrepreneurship; and is intended to open up the legislative process for greater responsiveness to the needs and voices of the youths. By preparing the youth for leadership, in this and many other ways, we are creating the space and helping to chart the direction for the next generation”, Saraki declared.
He, therefore, urged Nigerian youths to rise up to the challenge of leadership and also channel their energies into productive ventures that would help re-position the country.
“Nigeria’s greatest resource is not crude oil but the human capital of our burgeoning population whose hope and desires are driven by the quest and aspiration of our youths. It is sobering, therefore, that as a country, we do not seem to have sufficiently tapped into the promise of the younger generation. Consequently, we have failed to unleash the enormous reserves of talent and leadership skills begging to be utilized”, he said.
As the country refocuses strategies by moving into post-oil economy, Saraki is optimistic that more opportunities will be available for our youths.
In his words, “As we refocus strategies to move our country into post-oil economy, I see only opportunities everywhere. Our ability to make the transition will depend on how successful we are at developing the leadership qualities of our youths. I believe that working together, we can make it happen”.
The convener of the event, Segun Adeleye urged the youths to be innovative, determined, think positively and take leadership task rather than complaining about what the government has done or has not done.
“The youths should forget the idea that the future belongs to them, the future becomes to the people that are ready, the future belongs to the people that have ideas”, Adeleye cautioned.
He stated that the foundation will be organizing a Leadership mentorship retreat for the youths,next year. The mentorship programme is expected to inspire the youths in the country to have a change of mindset and think positively.
Segun Adeleye Foundation for Good Leadership in Africa (www.saffglia.org) was founded by Segun Adeleye, a journalist/media entrepreneur, author and operator of WorldStage Newsonline (www.worldstagegroup.com) to carry out activities and projects that will encourage/compel governments across Africa to embrace good leadership in order to uplift the standard of living of the people.
The foundation was officially inaugurated on March 10, 2016 with the inaugural lecture delivered by the Honourable Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed.
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