By Eniola Akinsipe
The Visionary of the Catch Them-Young initiative, Mrs. Ayodeni Aluko, has urged political leaders and policymakers across Nigeria to reconnect with their roots and invest deliberately in primary education, describing it as the foundation upon which enduring leadership and national development are built.
Aluko made the call while speaking on her passion for youth development and the driving force behind her initiative, which focuses on nurturing children from an early age to become responsible, visionary leaders.
According to her, many of today’s leaders once sat in modest primary school classrooms, nurtured by teachers who instilled discipline, resilience and ambition in them. However, she warned that forgetting those humble beginnings often creates a disconnect between leadership and the realities faced by ordinary citizens.
“Every president, governor or public office holder passed through primary school,” she said. “That is where character is formed. That is where dreams are born. When leaders remember where they started, they govern with empathy and a deeper sense of responsibility.”
Aluko, who has a background in science but followed her passion for media and communication, said her journey shaped her understanding of how early exposure and guidance can influence a child’s future. She stressed that leadership is not accidental but cultivated through deliberate mentoring and quality education.
“Good leaders are not produced overnight,” she noted. “They are nurtured from childhood. They are shaped in classrooms, guided by teachers, and influenced by values learned at an early age.”
The Catch Them-Young initiative, she explained, is designed to identify, mentor and support children in primary schools, equipping them with leadership skills, confidence and moral grounding. She argued that if governments and private stakeholders channel more resources into basic education, the country would experience reduced crime, stronger communities and a more stable political future.
“If we invest properly in primary education and create opportunities for even one or two children in every school, we will begin to see real transformation,” she said. “When young people are given direction and support, they grow into responsible citizens.”
Aluko also delivered a pointed message to leaders whose families reside abroad, cautioning that neglecting the nation’s educational system could have long-term consequences.
“Some leaders may feel secure because their children live overseas,” she said. “But the decisions we make today at home will determine whether this country remains stable and prosperous tomorrow. A nation that ignores its young people creates problems that eventually affect everyone.”
She called for a renewed commitment to strengthening public schools, improving teacher welfare and creating mentorship platforms that connect children with positive role models.
Addressing young people directly, especially those in primary schools, Aluko encouraged them to remain focused and disciplined, reminding them that their backgrounds do not define their futures.
“Stay committed to your studies. Build your character. Dream big,” she urged. “The effort you put in today will shape who you become tomorrow.”
Reaffirming her belief in early intervention, Aluko maintained that national transformation must begin in the classroom.
“If we truly want a better Nigeria,” she concluded, “we must catch them young.”
