The Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, has identified poor leadership as one of the factors retarding the development of Nigeria, saying there was need to inculcate the right leadership qualities in children from a very tender age.
The centre made the observation at the training of secondary school students in leadership skills to enable them become agents of national unity, transformation and cohesion for governance.
The training was held during a youth leadership clinic on in Lokoja on Friday with the theme “Empowering The Next Generation Leaders”.
The clinic, funded by TETFUND Centre for Excellence in Public Governance and Leadership, aims to equip young people with leadership skills and values to enable them become agents of positive change in their communities.
The director, Abuja Leadership Centre, Prof. Philip Dahida, emphasised the importance of leadership training for young people with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in leadership roles, saying this was the only way to overcome the leadership problems in the country.
Represented by Prof. Adewale Banjo, Dahida stressed that leadership begins at home and that young people should be taught leadership traits from an early age.
“Leadership traits are essential for driving developmental agenda at all levels of society.
You need a strong foundation, sound education, and the right values to provide effective leadership at all levels,” he said.
Coordinator of Kogi/Kwara Youth Leaders’ Clinic, Dr Japhet Omaye, said the initiative aims to raise emerging transformational leaders through mentorship programmes.
“We want to empower young people with leadership skills and values to enable them become agents of national unity, transformation, and cohesion for governance,” Omaye said.
