Balarabe, Bamali Advocate Leadership Training for Youths
John Shiklam in Kaduna
The Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe, has said that the state government is strengthening its education institutions to empower the youths to enable them realise their potentials.
She started this yesterday in Kaduna while declaring opened a leadership training programme for youths in the state
The programme tagged, ‘Youth Leaders Clinic’, was organised by Kaduna State Post graduate students, Abuja Leadership Centre, University Abuja.
Represented by one of her special advisers, Mallam Rilwan Hassan, the deputy governor described the training as a unique opportunity for educating young people on leadership knowledge, skills, and patriotism required to guide Nigeria towards a brighter future.
“Youths are the foundation of the progress of any nation.
Their energy, creativity, and determination are vital to positive change.
“Leadership, however, is not about merely holding positions. It is about responsibility, solving problems, and inspiring others.
“We will continue to prioritize education, health care, and social protection to provide the tools our children need to succeed”, she said.
According to her, the training aligns with the steps necessary in producing youths with focus and knowledge.
Balarabe said, “Programmes like compliment government efforts in preparing the youth for leadership.”
She urged the youths to shun bad habits, the president embrace patriotism and be good ambassadors of Nigeria.
According to the deputy governor, “A true leader carries out his or her responsibilities diligently and is a role model.
“Leadership at any level comes with responsibility, whether you are a class monitor or a headboy or head girl in your school.
“Effective leadership requires carrying everybody along regardless of tribe or religion by ensuring that everyone is treated fairly.
“In Kaduna state, we are priotising initiatives that promote youth empowerment by strengthening our education system, which includes the provision of skills and vocational training for young people. “
She commend the Kaduna Post graduate students at the University of Abuja (PhD and Msc students) for the training. stressing that “their commitment to mentoring the next generation is commendable.”
Also in his remarks, the Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, said patriotism, honesty, integrity, fairness, and courage are the important ingredients of leadership.
“You can never be a good leader if you choose to stay by the edge.
“A leader must be able to take decisive decisions that are beneficial to the people. Nepotism should be set aside. “You have to look at competence above tribe and religion”, the emir said.
Speaking further, Bamalli said “a leader must be patriotic if we want to stand tall in any part of the world. That is what will earn you respect.
“You have to be assertive and take courageous decisions even if some people are opposed to you, so long as the decision is in the best interest of the generality of the people.”
The emir encouraged tertiary institutions to initiate lecture series that will expose the youths to leadership skills.
He commended the post graduate students for the initiative.
In his remarks, the Director, Abuja Leadership Centre, University of Abuja, Prof. Philip Afaha, explained that the programme is one of the interventions of TETfund.
Represented by Prof. Joseph Golwa, Afaha said the programme aimed at addressing the problem of leadership deficits in human societies.
“The issue of leadership deficit is a problem all over the world.
What our postgraduate students are doing today is to train the young ones on leadership skills”, he said.
