Holds Igala National Youth summit.
Mentorship and purposive value reorientation of the youth have been described as portent keys to unlock cultural and national growth and development.
This was disclosed by Samuel Jibrin Dunga, a University lecturer in a lecture titled”. Empowering the Young Generation of Igala Leaders” delivered at the 12th edition of Igala Youth Forum of Nigeria held on Saturday in Lokoja.
The paper which was originally prepared by Idris Ejima Aruwa, highlighted the need for the youth to consider themselves as leaders, noting that a leader is one who inspires, guide and influence a group of people into achieving a common goal.
He added that everyone is ultimately a leader in his or her spheres, either in the homes, Association, place of work, place of worship, immediate community and the larger society, as we all influence the behavior of the group.
The paper noted that leadership can be political and apolitical, however, in reality, there would be need to influence, inspire the people to take actions and decision making process, adding that, to lead people to take action,, one needs to negotiate, collaborate, manage conflict ,resource allocation and when all these are in place politics has taken place.
He highlighted the sybernatic relationship between empowerment and mentorship, stressing that without mutual ties with mentors and mentees , no amount of empowerment would yield desired results.
He charged the older generations to give the youth the tools , opportunities and self confidence needed to take control of their lives and make impactful decision, thereby helping them to unlock their potentials so that they can contribute meaningfully to themselves, communities- Igala kingdom -and national growth and development.
While identifying mentorship to be a relationship where an experienced individual shares knowledge, skills and purposive advice to help the mentees grow personally, required provision of guidance, career support, social and emotional support that will help the youth become a better leader in the society.
He decried the loophole in the Igala society which has no organized leadership mentoring attributes, even as no effort is made by past and present leaders to institute any formal mentoring for the younger generations.
He averred that in other climes formal mentorship of princes who are likely to become kings existed, however ,it was and still lacking in Igala nation.
He added that once AtaIgala is coronated, , it is expected that the next princes in line will relocate from the palace to a distant land in order not to be seen as threats , thereby creating tutelage vacuum with its devastating effect, that has continued to be upheld by the political class .
While not casting aspersions on the older generation of Igalas for not mentored the youth , including their children, lamented that they have failed to develop a pool of successors that will take up the mantle of leadership after them .
According to the erudite scholar, the tools to empower the present generation should be focused on sound education and effective communication, saying formal and informal education is a sine qua non to participate in political activities and to build bridges across borders.
He said an effective communication is imperative skill in leadership, which assist to build trust and encourage collaboration towards a common goal, stressed that the ability to communicate in the language of the recipient is very crucial even as he advocates for teaching and learning of Igala language.
He challenge the people to give opportunity to the youth by ways and means of access to gainful employment, entrepreneurship programmes and resources to pursue legitimate goals. ” Whenever these opportunities are made a available, one should take advantage of it to begin leadership drive . One has to use the position to positively influence and help people in the society. Igala culture values the concept of “who you help” this is considered as a major leadership quality ” .
He charged the new generation of Igala political Leaders, to inculcate the culture of community helps, create employment, and mentoring to galvanize youth for self reliance, urge for emulation of Senator Jibrin Isah Echocho, Hajia Salamatu Balwa, Late Seidu Ogah, Muritala Yakubu Ajaka and host of others who have used their public lives to create massive employment for the youths
He opine that to achieve good leadership status, one must be intentional as it is a skill to be learnt through training, experience and continuous efforts, urge the youth to perspire to achieve these qualities for personal empowerment rather than queueing for political leaders for handouts.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of award for deserving Igala sons and daughters who have shown consistent interest in the welfare and wellbeing of the youth.
Participants where drawn from Igala indigenes in tertiary institutions across the country .
