By Erharuyi A. Joe and Omoruyi Patricia Osayomore
The Edo State Government in partnership with Teen on Fire Leadership Initiative has organized the Teen Leader Shift Conference for pupils and youths in the State. The event which held at the Festival Hall, Government, Benin City, was the maiden edition of the conference tagged: “My Nation, My Responsibility”.
It afforded the convener and the contributors a platform to discuss the importance of engaging young people in the business of a progressive Edo State.
The State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, in his keynote address, said that his administration has implemented and executed several policies in the area of social welfare enhancement in line with the Making Edo Great Again (MEGA) Agenda.
He reaffirmed to the young people that he is committed to curbing gender-based violence, sexual harassment, child labour and other forms of abuse as well as ensuring the protection of the right to dignity of every resident in the State.
Represented by the Commissioner for Youths and Gender Issues, Hon. Andrew Emwanta, the Governor urged every resident to play their part in sustaining the policies of the State by informing the government of any form of aberrations or infringement on the rights of persons in the State.
He stressed that it is only when the government gets information that permanent solutions could be guaranteed residents, adding that it is the duty of victims and witnesses to report incidences of abuse to the appropriate authorities in order for government to prosecute the perpetrators.
In his words, “The days of conspiracy and silence are over as the State is committed to protecting the rights of residents in the State, especially that of the child.”
Governor Obaseki urged the convener, Mr Tejiri Jerry, to ensure the conference becomes an annual ritual so as to sustain the custom of inculcating leadership consciousness in the minds of the young people.
He decried the erroneous belief of some young people that education was a waste of resources, leading to the declining interest in leadership and education among some youths.
The Commissioner for Communication and Orientation, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, and discussant at the event, said “goal, objectives, and logical map are essential to leadership as well as excelling in the endeavours of individuals.”
He maintained that leadership begins from an individual’s immediate environment where people are expected to take charge with a high sense of self-esteem coupled with zeal and determination and posited that education is a key component to attaining leadership roles or positions, adding that education grants access to nurturing, building and maximizing potential and dreams in young people.
On her part, the Special Adviser, Strategy, Policy, Project and Performance Management (SPPPMO), Mrs. Sarah Ajose Adeogun, said that the youths are the future of the State. She appealed to all stakeholders to contribute their quota in ensuring the manifestation of the dreams of the young people as provided for in Governor Obaseki’s MEGA Agenda.
Addressing journalists during an interview session of the conference, the Director of the foundation, Teen on Fire Leadership Initiative, Mr Tejiri Jerry, said that part of the foundation’s objectives is using the private sector to assist the public sector in sustaining the development programs of the government.
He added that the initiative cuts across many sectors of the nation including private, public, religious, politics among others where they also render a combined service of collaboration with organizations which have common goals of nation-building and positive transformation of young persons.
The high point of the conference was the presentation of awards of commitment to nation-building and role model to the Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, Rev. Ben Akhigbe, Hon. Chris Nehikhare, Hon. Andrew Emwanta, and Mrs Sarah Ajose-Adeogun. Mr Tejiri Jerry said the awards are for their commitment to nation-building and role models to many.
