…As IBLCDA organises Mentorship session with HOA 2.0
By Bose Adelaja & Adetomiwa Adewoyin
CITIZENS COMPASS— The Deputy Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly,
Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, on Saturday, disabused the minds of many Nigerian youths from taking up politics as a career, rather, she advised them to build competence as they aspire to take up leadership positions across the country.
Meranda was speaking as the guest speaker, at a Mentorship session with HOA 2.0, in Igbogbo-Baiyeku Local Council Development Area (IBLCDA), Ikorodu Division, Lagos State.
The programme was held at IBLCDA Secretariat with the
theme, “Leading with purpose: Mentoring the next generation of transformational leaders”, with hundreds of Nigeria youths in attendance.
Meranda, in her speech titled “Leading with purpose, mentoring the next generation”, admonished the youths to position themselves in their chosen fields.
The Deputy Speaker expressed pleasure at the turnout of participants at the event.
Meranda urged the youths to be solution centres saying, “Do not ask what position am I worth, but ask, what problems am I prepared to solve.
“Being a politician is not a profession”
“Build your competence, protect your integrity, increase your knowledge and wherever you find yourself, you will find a solution to it.
“If your leadership ends with you, you built a position, if it lives beyond you, you have built a legacy”
“Live with purpose serve with humility learn with curiosity, act with courage and learn as you rise”
Also speaking, a Member, Federal House of Representatives representing Ikorodu Constituency, Babajimi Adegoke Benson, called for continuous working and growth among the youths. He said, “I want you to be as successful as me and even more”.
At the event, a host of panelists comprising whos and whos in Lagos were on ground to do justice to the theme.
While welcoming participants to the event, IBLCDA Council Chairman, Omo’ba Hammed Olalekan Aroyewun, said the mentoring programme, the first of its kind, was an investment in people for leadership responsibilities.
He said it was aimed at raising the next generation of transportational leaders in Nigeria.
According to him: This is more than a gathering. It is an investment in people, 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.
Our theme, “Leading with Purpose: Raising the Next Generation of Transformational Leaders,” speaks directly to the kind of leaders we need.
Leadership must begin with character. It must be strengthened by competence and demonstrated through conduct. It requires vision, courage, discipline, empathy and the willingness to take responsibility.
As an administration, we believe that investing in people is one of the most enduring investments any government can make. We are not merely developing infrastructure. We are developing the people who will inherit, improve and lead our communities tomorrow.
We are particularly honoured to have distinguished leaders with us today. Their experiences across public service, legislation, policy, community development and institutional leadership offer valuable lessons for those preparing to take up leadership responsibilities.
We thank them for accepting our invitation and for choosing to invest their knowledge and experience in the next generation.
But let us be clear: the challenges before us will not be solved by rhetoric alone.
Insecurity, economic hardship, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure and inequality require leaders who can think deeply, act courageously and deliver results. We need leaders who can challenge what is wrong without losing sight of what is right. Leaders who can disagree without becoming destructive. Leaders who can pursue ambition without sacrificing integrity.
That is why this programme matters.
To our mentees, this programme is about you. We do not see you merely as beneficiaries. We see you as leaders in the making.
So, listen carefully. Ask questions. Challenge ideas respectfully. Learn from the experiences of those who have walked the road before you.
But, most importantly, do not wait for a title before you begin to lead.
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.
The future of Igbogbo/Baiyeku, Lagos State and Nigeria will not necessarily belong to the loudest voices. It will belong to the most prepared, the most principled and the most purposeful.
And today, we begin that preparation.
I therefore welcome you once again to the Mentorship Session with HOA 2.0.
May this session inspire new ideas, build lasting relationships, deepen our sense of responsibility and raise leaders whose impact will be felt for generations to come.
Among the panelists were Hon. Vinod Obasa, the Council Chairman, Agege Local Government, Enitan Jessica Oba, Council Leader, Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Engr. Gbenga Ogunlewe,
Director, Mechanical Department, Lagos State Public Works Corporation (LSPWC), Ayodeji Awosika, Founder, Web3Bridge among others.
