From John Silas, Lagos
The Deputy Chief of Staff to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State Mr Samuel Egube, has urged for youths collaboration, participation in economic building and social impact programmes of the state to enhance values.
Egube, a special guest, made the call at the 6th annual youth leadership conference held at the University of Lagos
to orientate youths toward government programmes and to inspire leadership traits in the people.
The theme of the conference was,” Rise-Resilience Innovation, Social Responsibility, and Entrepreneurship.
The deputy chief of staff said that youths were receptive to societal trends and acts in accordance with their position.
“One of the things you found about young people as they grow is attractiveness of isolation, when they are frustrated or angry they isolate.
“As young people we should not look at government with distrust, but rather partner and engage with the state to enhance better policy outcomes,” he said.
The state official, described youth-government partnership as a mutual one that predisposes even development advised youths to always attached themselves to people, and institution that could inspire them to greater heights.
He encouraged people to explore their potential through volunteer service to society and hone their managerial traits to prepare for greater assignments.
According to him, there are 21 development centres in the state among which is the Tech Hub, where the state gives vouchers from Lagos State Employment Trust Fund(LSETF) and Wealth Creation that empowers
youths.
“Our young people should know what is going on in government and interact with various ministries in areas that concerns them.
“There is ministry of youths and even ministry of tertiary education, where we are doing a lot of off-circle training in the technology area, all of this are important.
“We are in wealth creation empowering people, engaging interns and paying them for works done,” he said.
Similarly, a Human Rights activist, Mr Femi Falana, SAN advised young people especially students to organise themselves and pursue patriotic objectives, saying an organised people can never be defeated or suppressed.
Falana, a keynote speaker at the conference said that young people suffer deprivation due to mismanagement of the economy by the government.
According to him, hope of students are dashed, dreams shattered even those who were graduates have the fear, they may not get a job.
“As students, you must be united, you must be organised to demand for your right.
“Nigeria is a country of limitless opportunity and as such if young people are organised, they can demand for their right and get them,” he said.
He urged organisers of the conference to collaborate with human right to sensitise young people on their right to enable them make headway.
Earlier in his address, Convener of the conference,Mr Segun Odufuwa said that youth leadership conference has not only impacted young people but has changed their views as future leaders in the country.
Odufuwa, who doubles as Founder, Superior Performance Global Network(SPGN), said that the biggest testimony of the conference was about youths believing in themselves to achieve success and whatever they intend to achieve in life because we do follow-up on the attendees.
“We have impacted many because over the years we have consistent followers since the maiden edition till the 6th edition.
“Initially many of them don’t believe in themselves due to circumstances and failures that infuses depression.
