Golden Integrated Empowerment Foundation in partnership with iCare Foundation, USAID, Teensmata and others, hosted its 4th grassroot leadership and Governance summit for Inclusive Development on Wednesday, March 7th, 2024, at the Youth and sports Centre, Ita- Elewa, Ikorodu, Lagos State.

In her opening speech, the Convener and Founder of Golden Integrated Empowerment Foundation, a non- governmental organization for widows and children, Ms Patricia Okosodo, spoke on the need for youth inclusiveness in governance and good leadership in our country.

she noted that every young person has potentials to be great, imploring the youths to be problem solver in the society, by taking the initiative, and also the need for mentorship, and sponsorship for these young ones.

She also reiterated, on the importance of grassroots leadership and it’s impact in the society, with emphasis on leadership as the tool that can enable youth create the change in their community and the society at large.

The event which had in attendance, Special dignitaries; Ikorodu Federal House of Representatives, Rep. Babajimi Benson, MHR, ably represented by Director- General of iCare foundation, Mayor Deen Sanwoola. The Vice Chairman chairman, Ikorodu local government and the Commonwealth Vice Chairman’s Chair- person, Aarebirin Hon. Princess Folashade Olabanji- Oba and also, the Founder of Dada Ahmed Foundation and legal practitioner, Barr. Ahmed Dada Abass. The commissioner for
Agriculture, Hon. Abisola Olusanya ably represented by the Director of Agriculture services     Hon. Ogunseye Olufemi Alaba and Mrs Andrea Okafor representing USAID and Teensmata amongst others.

In an interview with the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State governor on Youth mobilization, Hon. Alabi Opeyemi Oladimeji, spoke on the needs for youth to understand what politics entails, and not seeing it as a dirty game, but rather live up to the task, by creating the change, they so desire and also maximizing the current situation of the country to build momentum and capacity needed for the work, as leadership is about sacrifice.

In his statement, he emphasize on the need for youths to have a round sitting, as this would help to deliberate on matters, that are pertinent to the development of the country, and the need for mentorship, as this would help in  building exceptional leaders in the society.

Also speaking at the event is the Director -General, of iCare foundation, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, who enlightened the youths to familiarize themselves with people they don’t know, in order to have a clue about their characters.

In his statement, “leadership requires you to Do the Undo”, and also fact findings before making a final decision. He therefore, urged the youths to be conscious, in terms of reacting to information received from those around them.

The founder, Ahmed Dada Abass foundation and legal practitioner, Barr Ahmed Dada Abass, during his lecture, enumerated some pertinent criteria needed for community growth and competency in leadership. They are “1 Wealth without work, 2 Politics without principle- ‘ the notion that if you cannot beat them, you join them ‘ 3 Pleasure without conscience and lastly, religion without sacrifice ” . He emphasized on the need to be godly, as it helps one restrain from doing what will affect others negatively and also the need for compassionate leaders, as a good leader, must be able to show empathy to his followers.

In his statement, he stated that Nigeria has the capacity and potential to emerge as a great nation, but there are obstacles, that needs to be brought down in order to emerge as one of the top nations of the world. He reiterated on the uniqueness of a nation amongst it’s contemporaries, just like our nation Nigeria, is unique in its own way.

According to him, a leader must be able to see the future of what is ahead and points his people towards that direction, giving the necessary push in becoming the best version of themselves, also emphasizing on the need for good leaders in every strata of the society for effective governance. Leaders that would stand out, to rewrite history, as, there is need to redefine the concept of public service.

While admonishing the youths on inclusiveness in governance, the Vice- Chairman, Ikorodu local government and commonwealth vice chairman’s, chair – person, Aarebirin Hon. Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba, in her brief lecture, said,”Good character and quality education will successfully produce absolute freedom”. She also implore that women should be all they can be, however, they have to be prepared by getting the necessary education, not looking at the challenge they might incur on the way.

While speaking in an interview session at the event, she urged the women folk to occupy their space in the society, leading with love, passion, and also be conscious of the reason for been there. She emphasize on the inclusion of women in the political terrain, as this would enable them actualize their full potential.

In her speech, she noted that no one is useless, as each and every one of us,  has something unique that distinguish us from the others. She therefore, urged the women folk to break the limitations and barriers that might hinder them from becoming great leaders, not lauding over one another, when tried with power, but rather, emulate servant leadership, patience and character. As without followers, there cannot be leadership.

The Director, Agricultural service, Hon. Ogunseye Olufemi Alaba also  noted that young people need to come up with new innovative ideas, that would move the country forward,  with emphasis on the ongoing project carried out by the commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Abisola Olusanya, whose aim is to see that young people achieve a common goal and also create economic stability.

Golden Integrated Empowerment Foundation expressed their immense gratitude to their sponsors and volunteers. The foundation, which includes USAID, Teensmata, Damsy Foundation, and co-sponsors, acknowledged their invaluable support in bringing the program to fruition. Additionally, they extended their thanks to the dedicated volunteers from GIEF, whose unwavering commitment contributed to the program’s success. Together, they are working towards building a society that thrives on collaboration and support.