Speakers At Conference Urge Youths To Be Focused

Speakers at the First International Leadership Conference have urged Young Christian Workers (YCW) of the Catholic fold to be transformation agents through display of leadership traits that will lead the nation to the Promised Land. At the event held at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Ojota, Lagos and themed: “Positioning the young Christian leader as an agent for world transformation,” Msgr. Livinus Ukah, Chaplain of YCW in his remarks tasked young people to look beyond what is happening in the society today because it is demeaning.

“Even the way elections are held is nothing to write home about. Our leaders do not have the skills to lead and they are not even patriotic. If they were, they would lead us right. If our youths equip themselves properly and ideologically to respond to the reality of our time, then there is hope, otherwise, they will be like those who are leading us today.”

He noted that Nigerian government is not fair to the youths.

“There is high unemployment rate, increased crime rate and everybody is feeling the pinch of the economic crisis; the economy is in the woods. The media people should be like those in the Western world and attack social structures,” he said.

While commending the role of the church in positioning young people, Msgr. Ukah said, “The church is doing well. I also know that a great number of pastors go to Aso Rock, as if they are going to Mecca, just like Mbaka, and the Church reprimanded him. Two weeks ago, we also saw many people going to Aso Rock, but will that solve our problem? A religious leader should maintain a critical distance to be relevant.”

Monicah Wanjiru, who is from Kenya and the general secretary of the international coordination of YCW said: “The theme of the conference is very relevant today because as you know, there is a charge for young people to take up leadership responsibilities in order to change what is happening around them. Young people are agents of transformation. We are here today because of the effort of those who came before us, but it would take our own efforts to go another 50 years.”

Other speakers at the conference are Dean, Lagos Business School, Dr. Enase Okonedo, Executive Director, Leadership Paradigm Consultants Ltd. Dr. Ikonta Gab and Managing Partner MOHspire Ltd., Martins Abraham.