Youths in Ondo State have been charged to prepare for specific leadership roles, especially sustainable and developmental leadership.
Special Adviser to the Ondo State Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, on Political and Mobilization Matters, Akin Akinbobola, made the remarks at the inauguration of the new executives of the Ondo State chapter of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) at the International Event Centre (The Dome), Igbatoro road, Akure, on Monday, 13th June, 2016.
He said “Without the youths, especially those between the ages of 18 and 35, there is no tomorrow.”
Akinbobola pointed out that today’s youths are tomorrow’s leader of Ondo state specifically and Nigeria generally.
“It is an incontrovertible fact that late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, during his time, invested in the youths of this country, especially in the Yoruba nation.
“That is why, today, the Yorubas are the most advanced educationally and industrially, with a lot of exposure.
“Awolowo had followers and adherents (my father was one of them) who believed in him squarely.”
He affirmed that Dr Olusegun Mimiko is a product of Awolowo’s scientifically developed programmes, stressing that “Awolowo stood for the people, he established the first television station in Africa, first stadium, first university, and a host of other firsts.
He made reference to Late Chief Ajasin’s compassion, “even when he could not pay salaries for about 9 months due to deliberate sabotage by the then NPN-led federal government, Ondo State people stood behind Papa Ajasin because he worked for them and they knew it.
“The Baba Ajasins of this world are no more, but the Iroko of this world is here with us, some of us have tried to define the compassionate leadership ingenuity of Iroko as a case study and the need to establish a leadership training project with ‘IROKOISM’ as the focal point in leadership development scope.
Akinbobola further revealed that almost all other state governments across the country are now replicating the programmes of Dr. Mimiko which include; free Bus Shuttle, Mega Schools, Abiye (safe motherhood) programme, Neighborhood Markets among others.
He introduced to the youths to a Leadership Development Program, known as ORANGE YOUTH NETWORK, a network already established in all the local governments of the state.
He added that “It is a leadership development program that is designed to acquaint and instill in youths the ideology and philosophy of the great IROKO that gave birth to the programs we are celebrating today.
He expressed optimism that Ondo State can be the breeding ground for future Irokos that will lead the state to the “land of canaan.
“Interested youths could reach Mr Marcus Olubodun on 07033977390 or Mr Israel Fagbemigun on 08138662963.” He said.