Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has urged young Nigerians to develop relevant skills, actively participate in governance and contribute to nation-building, stressing the importance of preparing the next generation for leadership.
Sanwo-Olu gave the charge while speaking at the Seyi Tinubu 41st Birthday Colloquium, where he highlighted the need to create opportunities for young people to thrive and participate meaningfully in shaping Nigeria’s future.
The Governor commended Seyi Tinubu, the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, for bringing young Nigerians together to deliberate on issues affecting their collective future.
Using Lagos State’s Blue Line rail project as an example, Sanwo-Olu explained that sustainable development requires patience, continuity and collective commitment across successive administrations.
He noted that the rail project, first conceived in 1983, became a reality four decades later, demonstrating that projects initiated by one generation may be completed by another.
Reflecting on his career journey from surveying to banking and eventually governance, the Governor said proper planning was essential to development, just as surveying the ground was necessary before commencing construction.
Sanwo-Olu also recalled that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought him into government while he was in his 30s, describing the experience as one that provided opportunities for young professionals to challenge ideas, engage in constructive debates and grow into leadership positions.
He urged young people to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and participate actively in community meetings, ward meetings and budget hearings, noting that At the Seyi Tinubu 41st Birthday Colloquium, I spoke about the importance of building a future where young people have the opportunity to thrive.
As we celebrate Seyi, the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, I commend him for bringing young Nigerians together to discuss the future we all share.
Lagos teaches us that progress takes time and collective effort. The Blue Line, first conceived in 1983, became a reality 40 years later through the efforts of successive administrations. That tells us that some of the most important things we start today may be completed by those who come after us.
I trained as a surveyor before becoming a banker and, eventually, your Governor. I know that before you build, you must first survey the ground. That is why I spoke about where we stand as a state and the work still ahead of us.
When HE President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought me into government in my 30s, his cabinet was filled with young professionals willing to challenge ideas and push boundaries. He gave us room to debate and grow. That is how leaders are made.
To our young people, I say keep showing up. Decisions that affect your lives are made at community meetings, ward meetings and budget hearings. Get your voter card, participate and take your place in shaping the future.
Master a skill, whatever you choose to do. Work at it until you become so good at what you do that your ability speaks for itself.
Build for home, too. Travel to learn if you must, but keep a foothold back home and bring your knowledge and ideas back to help build our communities.
To my generation, we have a responsibility to clear the path. We must mentor without expecting anything in return, hire young talent and make room for the next generation to lead.
As I prepare to hand over the reins in a few months, my hope is that we finish what others started, begin work that others can continue and leave behind a solid foundation for those who come after us. decisions affecting their lives are often made at these levels.
The Governor further encouraged youths to master their chosen skills and strive for excellence, emphasising that competence and dedication would enable them to distinguish themselves professionally.
He also advised young Nigerians to maintain strong connections with their communities, even when travelling abroad or elsewhere to acquire knowledge and experience, urging them to bring their expertise home to support local development.
Addressing his generation, Sanwo-Olu called on established leaders to mentor younger people, create employment opportunities and provide platforms for the next generation to assume leadership responsibilities without expecting personal rewards in return.
As he prepares to hand over power in the coming months, the Governor expressed hope that his administration would complete projects inherited from previous administrations, initiate sustainable programmes for future governments and leave behind a solid foundation for continued development.
Courtesy: Lagos Panorama
