Youths Urged To Be Responsible and Prepare For Leadership

Youths have been advised to be more responsible and take up the mantle of leadership as they are the future and foundation of the nation.

The Delta State Commissioner for Youth Development, Chief Oghenekaro Ilolo gave the advice in his welcome address at a one day workshop organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Delta State chapter for members of Uniformed and Faith Based Organization in the State in Asaba.

Chief Ilolo who stated that youths are the foundation of any nation called on the Nigeria youths to rise up and take their proper place in the scheme of things in the nation.

The Commission urged the youths not to shy away from youth volunteerism as it was the basis to learn the rudiments of leadership, saying that there was an indifference to youth volunteerism in recent times in the nation.

He advised youths to start afresh so that the country can move forward even as he explained that volunteerism is rendering sacrificial services without expecting any financial reward.

He revealed that the Okowa administration had put together various programmes to galvanise the welfare of youth organisations in the State, even as he admonished youth organizations in the state to register with the Ministry for proper accountability.

According to Chief Ilolo, “Some Youth organizations are merely on paper but not on ground. They have no structure, no constitution to guide their affairs” saying that the Ministry would not recognise such youth associations.

The theme of the one day workshop, Winning Youth Volunteerism: A Radical Approach To Resolution” had two papers presented. Prof. Sunny Awhefeada from the Delta State University, presented his paper on the theme of the workshop while Mr Tony Okotie presented a paper on, “Building Army of Youth.”

According to the lecturers, “Volunteerism is doing something which has a positive impact on the society without having any expectation for a reward”, that volunteerism is heroism, sacrifice which enhances solidarity, harmony, trust, hope and optimism.

“Volunteerism rises up above regional, linguistic, cultural and racial limitation like Boys Scout, National Association of Nigerian Students among others, saying that volunteerism is a tool for positive youth development.

They stated that the purpose of volunteerism was to bring about positive change in the society, saying that volunteerism complements formal education in teaching skills, leadership, teamwork, problem solving, creativity, negotiation and others.

They concluded their lecture by calling on youths to go back to the basis, the rural communities and schools to form volunteer movements for national rebirth, quoting J.F Kennedy, Don’t ask for what America will do for you but what you will do for America” “Don’t ask for what Nigeria will do for you but what you will do for Nigeria.