By Stephen Adeleye.
The Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, has trained secondary school students with leadership skills to enable them become agents of national unity, transformation, and cohesion for governance.
The training was held during a one-day Youth Leadership Clinic (YLC) on Thursday in Lokoja, with the theme “Empowering The Next Generation Leaders”.
The clinic, funded by TETFUND Centre for Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership, aimed to equip young people with leadership skills and values to enable them become agents of positive change in their communities.
Prof. Philip Dahida, Director, Abuja Leadership Centre, emphasised the importance of leadership training for young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles.
Represented by Prof. Adewale Banjo, Dahida stressed that leadership begins at home and that young people should be taught leadership traits from an early age.
“Leadership traits are essential for driving developmental agenda at all levels of society.
“You need a strong foundation, sound education, and the right values to provide effective leadership at all levels,” he said.
Earlier, Dr Japhet Omaye, Coordinator of Kogi/Kwara Youth Leaders’ Clinic, said the initiative aims to raise emerging transformational leaders through mentorship programmes.
“We want to empower young people with leadership skills and values to enable them become agents of national unity, transformation, and cohesion for governance,” Omaye said.
Omaye assured that he Abuja Leadership Centre plans to continue the programme, with the aim of nurturing a new generation of leaders who will drive positive change in Nigeria.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the clinic featured quiz competition as well as expert speakers, who shared insights on leadership, citizenship, and civic responsibility, among other topics.
Participants were encouraged to demonstrate improved understanding of leadership values, show confidence in decision-making and problem-solving, and commit to mentorship and ethical leadership practices.
Participants, including Nicholas Omede, Headboy of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja, and Anita Idris from Scintillate Int’l School, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to attend the clinic.
They promised to impact the knowledge and skills gained on their peers and become agents of transformation in their communities.
The clinic featured sessions on traits of effective leaders, citizenship and civic responsibility, the roles of youth in nation-building, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making, among others.
