A Lagos-based leadership expert, Pastor Fela Durotoye ; the Senior Pastor of Harvest House Christian Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, Rev’d Gbeminiyi Eboda; a former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Oluseun Abimbola [SAN]; a Lagos-based business coach, Dr Olumide Emmanuel; and a brand consultant, Dr Leke Alder, have urged Nigerian youths not to give up about the situation of Nigeria but rise up to contribute their quota to the development of the country.
They made the call during ‘Men on The Move Conference 2.0’ with the theme: ‘’Love, Equip, Align, Deliver [LEAD], which took place at Jogor Centre, off Liberty Road, Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
The event, which was the second edition, was organised by Rev’d Eboda, featuring plenary sessions, panel discussions, breakout sessions, musical performances, raffle draw, and a host of others. There were many syndicate sessions.
The thought leaders and pastors emphasised the need to reset the country through the right leadership, stressing that everyone, including the youths have a role to play. They urged Nigerian youths and leaders to embrace visionary leadership.
Speaking on the essence of the event, Eboda said: ‘’ Every June globally men are celebrated. You all know that there are so many things that are focused on just the female gender. We are not against that. We are just saying it’s also important that the man is well looked after. To a large extent, everything revolves around the man. If you can fix the man, you can fix the world. Everything started with one man. So, God started with Adam, and from Adam we had the formation of the woman, and we had the rest of humanity. There is so much pressure on the male gender. The male gender is an endangered species. So, we put it upon our heart to organise an ecosystem for men, where men can rise, thrive, and lead. It begins with self-leadership. Last year was our first event. We had a huge turnout of over 3000 men gathered. This year we have crossed that number. That also tells us that there is a need in men for community. Men need spaces where they can connect with other men, where they can be vulnerable without being judged, where they can be open, where they can be mentored. No matter where one is in his journey, he still needs mentorship’’.
In his remark Emmanuel, who spoke on the theme: ‘Developing Investment Mentality’, urged men and youths to eliminate toxic mindset in order to maximise opportunities. The pastor charged youths to rise up, saying foreigners would not solve Nigerian problems.
He said: ‘’ Don’t give up. No one will do anything for you. No one will solve any problem for you without your direct involvement. So, get involved in your own life and take responsibility with consistency and focus, you will get there’’.
In his submission, a brand and strategic leadership consultant, Alder, said focus was pivotal in achieving great vision and plans.
Alder said: ‘’Don’t look at the situation of Nigeria. Nigeria has nothing to do with your future. Don’t lose focus. Trial will come; even in your trial, you must be a leader. You cannot afford to give up. If you give up on your nation, if you give up on your future, you have given up on your heritage. You have to fight it.
”To reset the country, we need to rally it around a central vision, send it to them so that they can see. There is nothing this generation cannot accomplish. Some people have to sit down round the table and fashion out a vision for the country’’.
Also speaking, Durotoye urged Nigerian youths to embrace excellence and become nation builders, saying great nations were built by those that wanted to do their best in their little ways.
According to him: ‘’Nation-building is accepting responsibility, not looking for people to blame. Blaming is not a leadership skill. The point is what each and every one of us will do to solve the problems we can solve individually with what I have . The leader that we need is in front of the mirror. Go there and you will find the leader’’.
Speaking at one of the syndicate sessions , the former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abimbola (SAN), said anyone holding a leadership position must leave lasting legacies for generations to come.
One of the high-points of the event was the presentation of cash prizes to some outstanding students which was done by Rev’d Samson Ajetomobi, Dr Jinmi Awokola, and Dr Alde
