By Saheed Afolabi
The chairman of Ibeju Lekki LG, Mr Abdullahi Olowa has revealed how impactful the Mentors Platform will be to youths.
The council boss described the program as an avenue to inspire the youths to become productive.
Over one thousand youths from different parts of Lagos converged in Ibeju Lekki for the maiden edition of The Mentors Platform which was used to inspire young lads in choosing a beneficial career path.
The speakers at the Mentors Platform include, Daniel Awe, the head of African Fintech founders and seasoned banking professional, Adebanjo Otukomaya, Admin officer Lekki Free Trade Zone, and the member of the house of representatives, representing Ibeju Lekki federal constituency, Honorable Adebayo Balogun.
Others include, Chairman of Igbobgo Baiyeku LCDA, Builder Sesan Daini and the Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State, Abdulkabir Ogungbo.
The council chairman of Ibeju Lekki said the purpose of the Mentors Platform is to empower the youths and make them competitive anywhere in the World.
He stated this generation of young lads must be engaged and linked up with Mentors who would add more values to their lives.
Olowa believes Ibeju Lekki is the local government of destination and must have a youthful population that’s competitive.
“I mean citizens that are empowered, i mean citizens who are naturally competitive. People that can stand their own anywhere in the World.
“This is the generation of the people that we aspire to have so every now and then, we must engage with them, speak to them and try and bring them to forum where they can link up with people who can bring serious values to their life. I think that’s where the inspiration is drawn from.
“In life when you’re focused on achieving a certain goal, you are going to employ so many strategies. We are building a foundation in Ibeju Lekki, we are building a consensus, we are telling people that we are the local government of destination and of course we need to have a youthful population that is competitive.
“We want to build youths who can stand on their own anywhere in the World. If you leave the shores of Nigeria and go to the US or Europe.
“This revolution started about three years ago when we decided, we where going to invest in people and this was what informed our policy direction when we went to partner with a foremost university to build the capacity of our young ones, we are now talking to them. We are bringing our undergraduates from the university to tell them that you can start moulding your life right from when you are in school.
“Don’t let anyone deceive you that you can make it in Nigeria today, I am bold enough to let you know that they are deceiving you. What alot of people lack is the discipline to succeed, and the ability to remain focus to their goal. Once you have this, you will definitely achieve great things.”
MHR, Hon Balogun advised the youths to take advantage of the Mentors Platform to build their future.
The speakers charged the youths to take their career choices seriously and start mapping out their future.