Abuja: The University of Abuja Leadership Centre conducted a training program on Thursday for secondary school students in Kogi, focusing on leadership skills to prepare them as future agents of national unity and good governance. This initiative aims to instill essential values and skills needed for effective leadership in young individuals.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Prof. Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, emphasized that the training was designed to equip young people with leadership skills and values to drive positive change in their communities. Spearheading the event in his stead, Prof. Adewale Banjo highlighted that leadership begins at home, and young people must be taught the right values from an early age to build a strong foundation for effective leadership.
Prof. Banjo further elaborated on the importance of leadership traits in driving developmental agendas at all societal levels, underscoring the necessity of a strong foundation, sound education, and the right values. The clinic, funded by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Centre of Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership, aims to achieve these goals.
Dr. Japhet Omaye, Coordinator of the Kogi/Kwara Youth Leaders’ Clinic, also highlighted the initiative’s purpose to raise transformational leaders through mentorship programs. He expressed the desire to empower young people with leadership skills and values, positioning them as agents of national unity, transformation, and cohesion for governance.
Participants in the program were encouraged to demonstrate improved understanding of leadership values, confidence in decision-making, and a 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 their appreciation for the opportunity and pledged to share the knowledge gained with their peers.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the one-day event, tagged ‘Youth Leadership Clinic (YLC)’, brought together students from various schools across the state. The program, themed ‘Empowering the Next Generation Leaders’, featured a quiz competition and expert sessions on leadership, citizenship, civic responsibility, emotional intelligence, and ethical decision-making.