Akire of Ikire-Ile charges youths on leadership

Akire of Ikire-Ile charges youths on leadership

A prominent traditional ruler in Osun State, the Akire of Ikire-Ile in Ola-Oluwa Local Government Area, Oba Abdulazeez Olatunbosun Adebamiji has charged Nigerian youths to be ready to take up leadership positions.

Addressing participants at a political summit organized by the Osun State chapter of the Nigeria Youths Congress (NYC), held at the sogbo Holiday Inn, Oba Adebamiji said the roles played by youths in the political stability of the country are commendable.

Describing the youths as leaders of tomorrow, the monarch said " that the youths are the leaders of tomorrow is undeniable, but our society needs to take cognisance of the type of youths we produce or train, that would be capable of facing future challenges."

While charging the leaders to be focused, Oba Adebamiji stated that "before you can become a leader, you must have been a follower. Bad leaders breed bad followers. If as a follower your mentor is bad, you also end up a bad leader.

"It is quite impossible to give what you don't have. Only the youths with proper orientation, native intelligence and incorruptible minds will be able to face and overcome the challenges and invariably turn things around for good. It is on this note that I enjoin you to dine and wine with responsible leaders, so as for you to also emerge as good leaders in the nearest future. You should also be focused and start to think of what you can do for your country and not what your country can do for you.

"Let me reiterate the fact that Nigeria is now at a time when youths have to be careful as the 2023 general elections are drawing closer. Don't allow politicians to use you as instruments or agents of destruction. If they cannot use their children to foment trouble why must you present yourself for such evil?

"Also, it's important to state that the politicians should realize that it is in an atmosphere of peace that they can deliver the dividends of democracy to their teaming supporters, knowing full well that the electorate are yearning for real dividends of democracy a. The blood of citizens does not worth the allures of any political office. Leadership of various political parties should therefore call their supporters to order in order to embrace peace.

"Having said this, I like to appeal to all stakeholders: the politicians, electorate, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), media handlers and so on who are participants in the activities that would usher in new set of political leadership in the country to eschew anything that would undermine the credibility of the 2023 general elections.

"It is pertinent to state that angels don't descend from heaven on election days to cast vote, it is we the citizens who choose our leaders. We should therefore vote wisely. Our decision will determine the caliber of people who will govern us.

"We have examples of many of our past leaders who held various positions of authorities during their youthful days. A good example is General Yakubu Gowon who was Head of State at a very young age and served the nation creditably. There are so many other examples and we can borrow a leaf from these great men of history.

"Today, do we have youths that can be entrusted with positions of authorities? Do we have youths with integrity and conscientious ready to serve with the fear of God? These are pertinent questions which we should all answer in the anals of our minds," he added.