Stakeholders Urge Purposeful Mentorship, Transformational Leadership for Nigerian Youths

Stakeholders Urge Purposeful Mentorship, Transformational Leadership for Nigerian Youths

…Aroyewun, Meranda, Benson, others task young people on character, competence, entrepreneurship

IKORODU, Lagos — Stakeholders at the second edition of Mentorship with HOA 2.0 have called for purposeful mentorship of young people to prepare them for responsible and transformational leadership, urging the younger generation to develop the skills, values and capacity needed to make meaningful impact in society.

They made the call on Saturday at the Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA Multipurpose Hall, Igbogbo, Lagos State, during the programme themed, “Leading with Purpose: Mentoring the Next Generation of Transformational Leaders.”

The session brought together young people, political leaders, professionals and community development advocates to discuss mentorship, personal development, career growth and youth empowerment.

In his opening remarks, the Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hammed Aroyewun, who hosted the programme, described it as an investment in people and a deliberate effort to prepare young minds for the responsibilities of leadership.

Aroyewun said leadership must begin with character, strengthened by competence and demonstrated through conduct, adding that it required vision, courage, discipline, empathy and the willingness to take responsibility.

> “This is more than a gathering. It is an investment in people. It is a deliberate attempt to prepare young minds for the responsibility of leadership and to raise a generation that will not only occupy positions but create meaningful change,” he said.

He said the challenges of insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and inequality required leaders who could think deeply, act courageously and deliver results.

According to him, the programme was designed to develop people who would inherit, improve and lead their communities, rather than merely occupy positions.

Aroyewun urged the mentees to listen carefully, ask questions and learn from the experiences of those who had walked the path before them.

He also advised them not to wait for titles before demonstrating leadership.

> “Leadership begins with the ability to identify a problem and do something about it. It begins with serving where you are. It begins with making a difference in your family, your school, your workplace and your community,” he said.

The keynote speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, said young people were talented, ambitious and full of ideas, but needed guidance and mentorship to translate their potential into meaningful achievements.

Meranda said potential alone was not enough, noting that young people sometimes needed experienced individuals to provide direction, correct their mistakes and open doors of opportunity.

> “Sometimes you need someone to show you the right path, someone to give you the right direction, someone to correct you when you make a mistake or someone to open a door.

> “And that is where mentorship comes into play,” she said.

She urged youths to maximise mentorship opportunities available to them, adding that experienced leaders had gone through challenges and failures from which younger generations could learn.

The Guest of Honour, Rep. Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, urged youths to take ownership of their future by establishing and registering their own companies.

Benson encouraged the young people to develop entrepreneurial skills, register their businesses and take practical steps towards achieving their goals and contributing meaningfully to society.

He said owning and building legitimate businesses would help youths develop a sense of responsibility, discipline and purpose while positioning them to contribute to economic development and leadership.

Benson also urged them to take advantage of available opportunities for personal development and remain committed to making positive contributions to their communities.

Leadership Must Be Measured by Impact

During a panel discussion, Mrs Enitan Oba, Council Leader, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, said transformational leadership should be measured by the impact a leader made rather than the position or achievements attained.

“For me, leadership must move from achievement to impact,” she said.

Oba said leadership was not merely about titles, positions, buildings or policies, but about the legacy a leader left behind.

“Leadership is not just about the things that we’ve been able to achieve. It’s about the legacy that we’re able to leave after us. That’s transformational leadership,” she said.

She added that transformational leadership was about the number of people a leader was able to transform, empower and develop.

Another panellist, Dr. Adeleke Dankuwo, Medical Director, Cute Hospital, Agunfoye, Ikorodu, stressed the importance of self-belief, perseverance, consistency and self-awareness in developing effective leaders.

Dankuwo urged young people not to underestimate themselves, saying they needed to recognise their potential and prepare for future opportunities.

“You have to believe in yourself, first and foremost. Don’t look down on yourself,” he said.

He also stressed the importance of integrity, vision, empathy and preparation, noting that leadership opportunities often came to those who had prepared themselves.

> “Leadership is something that you prepare,” he said.

He advised young people to invest in education, acquire relevant skills and continuously develop themselves in readiness for future opportunities.

Mr. Vinod Obasa, Chairman, Agege Local Government, said leadership often began with taking responsibility and adding value in whatever position one found oneself.

He urged young people to develop themselves and be ready to deliver whenever leadership opportunities came their way.

> “It's one thing to act as a young person. It's another thing to also make sure you deliver when it's time to deliver,” he said.

Mr. Damilare Orimoloye, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Sports, spoke on the importance of mentorship and personal development, urging young people to remain open to learning and guidance from experienced individuals.

He said effective mentorship should positively influence mentees and help them develop the capacity to achieve their goals and contribute meaningfully to society.

Mr. Tolupe Faniyi, another panellist, also emphasised purposeful guidance and continuous self-development, encouraging youths to build the right values and skills needed to succeed in their chosen careers.

The panel further emphasised discipline, emotional intelligence, responsibility, consistency, integrity and willingness to learn as qualities young people needed to develop to become effective leaders.

The second edition of Mentorship with HOA and featured discussions aimed at preparing the next generation for purposeful and transformational leadership.