By Moses Adeniyi
The Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Olusegun Dawodu, has said the possibility of translating the massive infrastructural development and economic investments in the State to human development cannot be a reality without preparing youths to become better leaders.
The Commissioner, who said this while declaring open a two-day Transformational Leadership Workshop for young leaders with the theme; “Engaging the Young for Nation Building” in Lagos, said the importance of strengthening capacity for youths is important to develop transformational leaders who will create valuable and positive change.
According to him, the State Government was taking deliberate measures to transform followers into productive leaders.
He stressed that the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has been engaging a good number of young people to be part of policy formulation and implementation some of whom held key positions in the Government.
Dawodu mentioned that the workshop which was channeled along this end, “will focus on building the capacity of young leaders and inspiring one to become better leaders and to align the policy thrust of the State Government with that of their own and group plans in order to move Lagos forward.”
“Also,the Lagos State Youth Academy had produced young people who are contributing positively to the growth of the State,” he added.
In his contribution, Permanent Secretary, MYSD, Dr. Olugbenga Ayoola, stated that the workshop was designed to build the capacities of the youths as leaders of tomorrow and enable them play a part in nation development with “their vibrancy, energy, education, resourcefulness and engagement for the prosperity of the society.”
He further stated that young people with their potentials must be groomed and harnessed for the overall development of the State and the Country at large.
According to him, the Transformational Leadership Training Workshop would be extended across the three State’s Senatorial Districts for 750 young leaders.
“It will make use of facilitators, breakout sessions, videos, group work, case studies, personal reflections, speakers’ experience/note, slide presentation and life applications to create a transforming learning experience,” he said.
In her remarks, Executive Chairman, Victoria Island LCDA, Princess Rashidat Adu, urged the youths to justify the huge resources invested on them by the State Government in terms of capacity building by practicalising what they gained at the Workshop to become better leaders.
The Workshop was aimed at developing “Thoughtful, Articulate, Noble, Self-governing, Foresighted, Open, Respectful, Mannered, Excellent and Devoted (T.R.A.N.S.F.O.R.M.E.D)” leaders.