Deputy vice chancellor (DVC), University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), Prof Daniel Nwachukwu, has urged youths to create impact in their environment by doing something spectacular and to imbibe the leadership qualities of former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela and former US president Barack Obama.
He disclosed this during a birthday celebration in honour of Obama by Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation (DULF), an Enugu based NGO and young African Leadership Initiative last Saturday.
The UNN DVC, who was represented by Dr Chris Anieroi, said the youths were the future hope and that they should start early to imbibe the features of quality leadership.
“The youths are the hope that we see for a better and future Nigeria. Youths should start now to build their way to lead tomorrow,” he said.
In a speech at the event, the founder of the Daniel Ukwu Leadership Foundation, DULF, Mr Daniel Ukwu said they deemed it necessary to celebrate Obama because of his interest in the future of youths which he exhibited through his brain child, the Young African Leadership Initiative, YALI, that has been empowering youths in Africa.
“As a Foundation, we at Dulf believe that youths are truly the future leaders anywhere in the world, Nigeria inclusive. We at DULF are creating awareness and advocacy amongst our youths on future benefits of young African leadership initiative to themselves concerning future capacity building through the available agenda initiated by former American President Obama to inspire, encourage, motivate Africa youths to future leadership capacity building services.
“We believe that leadership is an opportunity either in business or service delivery so that you do not waste the opportunity only to enrich yourself and your family but others who may not have opportunity to say thank you. We also believe that future leaders are identified, they are nurtured, they are equipped, they are mentored for big task of responsibility ahead,” he said.
Ukwu said that it was because they align themselves with Obama’s initiative in remodeling the youths that they celebrate him for the good legacy he is bequeathing to African youths and leaders of tomorrow.
“We believe that good leaders must be character driven to make positive impact and leave a positive legacy like Obama through Young African Leadership Initiative called YALI who is a role model to youths in Africa in particular Nigeria,” he said.
Highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the birthday cake specially made to commemorate Obama’s 64th birthday that took place on August 4, 1961.
