LASG inaugurates leadership training for youths

The Lagos State Government has kicked off the 2024 five-day Ibile Youth Academy Divisional Training at the Onikan Youth Centre in the Lagos Island area of the state.

This was as the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, said the programme was created to inspire and develop the next generation of leaders.

Ogunlende, who delivered a keynote address at the opening ceremony, on Monday, said, “The Ibile Youth Academy is a flagship initiative of the Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development.

“It is designed to nurture leadership qualities, foster community engagement and promote volunteerism among young Lagosians.

“It is a crucial platform to equip our youths with skills, knowledge and values needed to become catalysts for positive change and take up leadership roles.

“At the core of the Ibile Youth Academy is the drive to foster leadership, civic responsibility and personal growth. The platform instills five essential values: integrity, responsibility, self-discipline, perseverance and excellence which are principles that define outstanding leadership and success in any endeavour.”

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary, Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu, noted that the programme was a transformative journey of capacity building, personal development and collective growth, equipping young minds to lead with innovation and integrity.

Oke-Osanyintolu maintained that the Ibile Youth Academy had become a beacon of hope for young people across Lagos State because it served as a platform to harness their talents, instil leadership values and provide them with the tools to thrive in today’s dynamic world and position them to play their role in driving sustainable development, fostering social cohesion and building resilient communities.

The permanent secretary implored the participants to approach the training with an open mind and determined spirit and maximise their opportunity for growth, networking and collaboration so that they can emerge more confident, capable and prepared to take up leadership roles in various spheres of life.

The year’s Ibile Youth Academy has generated more interest among the young people in Lagos as over 3,763 applications were submitted, showcasing the immense talent and ambition within the youth out of which 1,228 applicants who scaled through the selection process were invited for the physical screening held across the five divisions of the state.