By Olayemi Esan
Nigerian Youths have called
for collaboration with various sectors of the government to ensure
synergy that will move the country forward.
They made the call at the Young African Leaders lnitiative, Abuja Summit, organised by the YALI Network.
The
two-day Summit with the theme ‘Empowering change makers for nation
building’ is the third edition of the summit and the flagship event of
the YAll Abuja network.
Coordinator, YAlI Abuja, Mr Oyewole Joledo,
said that the summit is a wake-up call for youths to position themselves
and integrate their ideas into how they can be change makers.
”This
is an annual event put together to bring young Nigerian leaders and
partners in an open dialogue on the issues facing our country and for
them to develop workable strategies for solving them.
According to
him, the objective of the summit is basically to build networks and
partnership for youth action in nation building and also create
opportunities and platforms for youth action in nation building.
”The summit is also going to increase youth awareness and participation in nation building.”
Also
speaking, Africa Executive Director, ONE Campaign Mr Edwin Ikhuoria,
said that the role of an enterpreneur is to key into what the government
is already doing and play their parts towards making positive changes
that can move the nation forward.
‘The youths shouldn’t work in
isolation. Youths should take personal responsibilities and think of new
ways to do things. Bring up innovations that will be in harmony with
the government’s plans and policies.”
Founder/President of Guardians
of The Nation International (GOTNI) Leadership Centre, Dr. Linus Okorie
said that the availability of technology to young people should drive
them to want to grow because leadership capital is essential for growth
in the present generation.
Okorie called on youths to understand and
imbibe the five demands of the 21st century leadership through Learning –
adding knowledge to one’s mind daily, Thinking, Visionary, Planning,
and Execution.
He further stated that some of the problems of
Nigeria’s development include failure of execution or failure of taking
action, adding that youths, being change agents, should be leaders who
should care, inspire others to grow and add values to others.
”Creating value demands hunger for improvement, understanding the principles of followership and becoming a change agent.
”Nurture your ideas, build collaboration with like minds, remain focused and always think improvement,” he added.
Barrister
God’sGlory Ifezue, one of the panelists, said that every youth should
take personal responsibility as a change agent, identify their areas of
influence and become leaders that will stand for the change the nation
wants to see.
The highpoint of the summit were panel discussions,
training and mentoring, vox pop, pitching, grants awards and
Sensitization walk.
The Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) is
the United States’ signature effort to invest in the next generation of
African leaders.