By Nathaniel Zaccheaus, Abuja
The President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, has challenged Nigerian youths to embrace leadership responsibilities and support the government’s efforts to address the country’s current economic crisis.
Gbajabiamila gave the advice during the Third Graduation of the Fellows of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Abuja.
The Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, who founded the mentorship programme, pleaded with the youth not to be afraid of the country’s current situation because similar economic and social crises are happening in many countries worldwide.
He urged them to embrace leadership training and generated help for leaders at all levels and tiers of government in their efforts to free the country from its current challenges.
The Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, congratulated the 50 new fellows of the LMI programme to embrace leadership positions in public service.
Gbajabiamila said, “To our graduating fellows, today marks more than completing your journey through the LMI fellowship programme.
“It signifies your readiness to step into public service, to embrace the responsibilities and challenges that lie ahead as leaders.
“Leaders that will embody the correct values, the virtues of the right, and set clear visions to catalyze transformational change in our country and beyond.
“Do not be afraid. Like all nations worldwide, Nigeria has faced its share of challenges, mistakes, and setbacks. Yet, each time, we have emerged more potent as a people and as one nation under God.
“A new generation like you is learning from the past, taking these lessons to heart, and finding ways to improve things.
“You carry with you the wisdom of those who came before you, and now you carry within you the prospects of shaping the future of those that will come after you. LMI has equipped you with the skills and capacity to transform challenges into opportunities.
“So be brave. Be bold. Be audacious. History is not made by those who sit on the sidelines in fear but by those who step into the frontline of the battle for the future of nations with courage, clarity, and competence.
“Remember, fear is a natural part of any journey, but how you respond to it defines you. You are that courageous generation, empowered to overcome the fears and obstacles that may come your way as you lead our nation into a brighter future.
“Always strive to do what is right. The path of public service is fraught with difficult decisions. There will be times when the more accessible, more convenient choice will tempt you when pressures around you push you toward compromise. But I urge you to listen to your inner voice that speaks of integrity and justice.
“Even when the road is hard, doing the right thing comes at a personal cost, and when it seems you are standing alone, do what is right. You may stumble, and you may err. That is part of being human. But if you remain true to our LMI values, you will build a legacy of which you can be proud.”
In his speech on the occasion, the DG of NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said the LMI “has proven to be very impactful to our emerging young leaders due to the intensive mentorship and exposure to leadership skills as well as legislative practices and procedures.”
Sulaiman said, “Since it was domiciled in the institute by the former Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives and the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila (CFR), the programme has continued to live up to its mandate of serving as a platform for enriching and nurturing the next generation of public sector leaders.”
Former First Lady of the Republic of Liberia and Secretary-General of the African First Ladies Peace Mission, Dr Jewel Howard-Taylor, who was Special Guest of Honour, urged the management of NILDS to extend the mentorship program to other West African countries.
Also, the President/Chairman of the Council, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, who is also the Chairman of the Leadership Advancement Foundation, Mr Lucas Laibe, pledged that NIPR will compress a Master’s PR Class for the next cohort of the LMI.
