Prominent religious leaders and motivational speakers have called on Nigerian youths to take ownership of the nation’s future by remaining focused on its goals and vision, and by actively contributing to its development.
Speaking at the ‘Men on The Move Conference 2.0’ themed ‘Love, Equip, Align, Deliver (LEAD)’, the speakers urged youths not to lose hope in the country despite its challenges, warning that meaningful change cannot happen without their active involvement.
Among the notable speakers were nation builder Pastor Fela Durotoye, Convener and Senior Pastor of Harvest House Christian Centre, Akobo, Ibadan, Rev’d Gbeminiyi Eboda, business coach Dr Olumide Emmanuel, brand and leadership consultant Dr Leke Alder, and former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Seun Abimbola (SAN).
The event, which featured plenary sessions, panel discussions, breakout sessions, musical performances, and a raffle draw, focused on empowering men and encouraging national transformation through purposeful leadership.
In their various sessions, the speakers emphasized the urgent need for a national reset driven by visionary and responsible leadership.
They challenged Nigerian youths to stop shifting blame and instead take responsibility for shaping the country’s future through positive actions and values-driven leadership.
Speaking on the topic: “Developing Investment Mentality”, Dr Emmanuel, urged men and youths to eliminate what he described as 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 presentation, a brand and strategic leadership consultant, Alder, said focus was pivotal in achieving great vision and plans. He urged the youths not to look at the situation of the country as a reason for their failure but to remain focus.
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.
He emphasized the need for a central vision to reset the country and his firm belief in the capacity of the Nigerian youth to achieve greatness, saying “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 become nation builders by accepting responsibility and embracing excellence adding that great nations were built by those that wanted to do their best in their little ways.
“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 what we should to solve the problems we can solve individually with what we have. The leader that we need is in front of the mirror. Go there and you will find the leader”, Durotoye said.
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A former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Abimbola (SAN), speaking during one of the syndicate sessions said anyone holding a leadership position must leave lasting legacies for generations to come.
Speaking on the essence of the conference, the Convener, Pastor Eboda said the event was in response to men’s celebration in the month of June globally as well as a the need to create a platform for boys and men to get focus and attention.
Describing men and endangered species, Pastor Eboda said men are usually under intense pressure, hence the need to create an ecosystem for men to thrive and mingle without been judged.
He said, “As you are aware, 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’’.
He added that this year’s edition is also bringing the age gap by introducing competition for boys across the various schools in the state.
The conference concluded with the public presentation of Pastor Eboda’s new book entitled “Anchorman Man” as well as presentation of cash prizes to outstanding students at the earlier conducted school competitions.
