The Speaker of the Nigeria House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has advised the youths to take their destiny into their hands and dream big to succeed and impact their world.
The Speaker said Nigeria was in dire need of young people who can stand bold to make a difference and make the country successful.
He stated this In a speech titled “Leadership in Challenging Times” delivered at the Graduation ceremony of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI) Fellowship Programme, in Abuja. The LMI is an initiative founded by him to develop the next generation of legislators and ethical public sector leaders.
Gbajabiamila said that graduation ceremonies herald the possibility of new beginnings.
He told the graduates that they were graduating at a time of great uncertainty in the world.
” I encourage you, our soon-to-be fellows, to revel in that feeling so that when the day of disappointment and despondence comes, you can look back on this day and be inspired by that sense of promise and possibility, to try again and to try better,” Gbajabiamila said.
He noted that the failure of leaders to mentor young people is the bane of Nigerian society, hence the establishment of the Legislative Mentorship programme.
The Speaker said; ” Your achievements, including today’s graduation, demonstrate your discipline and dedication. Now you must prepare to do more than ever before. Devote yourself to lifelong learning so your mind is never closed to the possibilities in your world. Determine in your hearts that you will wake up every day for the rest of your lives determined to change the world for good.”
He added that the trainees through the mentorship programme, have an added advantage to do even great and bold things.
The Director of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative and Special Adviser to the Speaker on International and Inter-parliamentary Affairs, Mr Dapo Oyewole said that the trainees have been properly prepared for the future.
Oyewole said that the 74 LMI graduates have received the knowledge that would last them a lifetime.
A board member of the LMI Board, Mr Ike Neliaku, reiterated that investment in human capacity building is needed for the sustenance of democracy.
Similarly, the Director General of the Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, said that it was an important initiative to expose young Nigerian men and women to the fundamentals of legislative practice and procedure, involve them in the governance process and stimulate their zeal for public service, especially in the legislature.
He said; “The relevance of this initiative assumes a greater significance given the relative age of the legislature compared to the executive and the judiciary. It is the least understood arm of government and an easy target for criticisms and attacks. This is not unusual, nor is it unique to Nigeria. Several studies, including one by our Institute, have shown the pervasiveness of poor perception of parliaments worldwide.”
He said that the institute has absorbed one of the trainees while challenging the others to take their new roles seriously.
The Country Representative of Konrand Adeneir Stiftung, Marija Peran, said that the successful graduation of young persons means Nigeria is ready for the future.
Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Epelle, commended the Speaker for the internship programme which would offer young people the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and skills in leadership.
Other goodwill messages at the event appreciated the initiative.
Some of the beneficiaries of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative said that they benefited a lot from the programme and would take the knowledge back to their constituencies.
The theme of the programme is “Building the next generation of Nigeria’s public sector leaders.”
Mercy Chukwudiebere
