By Stephen Adeleye
The University of Abuja Leadership Centre on Thursday trained secondary school students in Kogi on leadership skills aimed at grooming them as agents of national unity and good governance.
Prof. Philip Dahida, Director of the Centre, said the training was designed to equip young people with leadership skills and values to drive positive change in their communities.
Dahida, represented by Prof. Adewale Banjo, stressed that leadership begins at home, adding that young people must be taught the right values 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,” he said.
He said the clinic is funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Centre of Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership.
Also speaking, Dr Japhet Omaye, Coordinator of the Kogi/Kwara Youth Leaders’ Clinic, said the initiative seeks to raise transformational leaders through mentorship programmes.
“We want to empower young people with leadership skills and values to make them agents of national unity, transformation and cohesion for governance,” he said.
Participants were encouraged to demonstrate improved understanding of leadership values, confidence in decision-making and commitment to ethical leadership.
Two trainees, Nicholas Omede, Head Boy of GYB Model Science Secondary School, Lokoja, and Anita Idris of Scintillate International School, expressed appreciation for the opportunity, pledging to share the knowledge gained with their peers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 1-day training, tagged “Youth Leadership Clinic (YLC)”, brought together students from various schools in the state.
NAN also reports that the programme, themed “Empowering the Next Generation Leaders”, featured a quiz competition and expert sessions on leadership, citizenship, civic responsibility, emotional intelligence and ethical decision-making. (NAN)
Edited by Thompson Yamput/Peter Amine
