Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri
Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr. Agboola Dabiri has tasked the participants of the ongoing Eko Youth Academy, EYA, to develop a State anthem for the youth that would be adopted and recited at every youth gathering across the State.
The over five hundred youths who are undergoing leadership training in different centres across the five divisions of the State would be exposed to leadership training, administrative skills and management capabilities among others.
Agboola gave the task on Monday while addressing participants of the Academy at the Ikeja Youth Centre venue of the training programme for youth within the Ikeja axis of the State.
The Commissioner disclosed that the process of composing the anthem would in addition to the leadership skills that would be impacted on the participants promote critical thinking, creativity and team spirit among the youth.
He maintained that participants would be acquainted with the required soft skills that will make them resourceful and excel in today’s society, emphasizing that the youths have many inbuilt ideas that they can explore to better the society.
“The ability to make decisions and be able to adapt to different situations easily without any noticeable lacuna or deficiency is the essence of education”
“The whole essence of this training programme is among other things to let our graduates know that they don’t need to be stereotyped or believe that they can on break even in their fields of study alone. On the contrary, we want to build youths who can be adaptable to any society they find themselves and also excel in other fields other than the core areas of study in the university.” Agboola stated.
He used the occasion to warn the participants against drug abuse, disclosing that it was in recognition of the prevalent use of hard drugs among youths that made the State Government embarked on a massive awareness against the substances tagged LASKAD, Lagos Kicks Against Drug Abuse.
Giving an overview of the Eko Youth Academy, the Director of Youth Development in the Ministry, Mr. Bode Adams explained that the idea was in continuation of the Ibile Youth Academy which produced the present divisional Youth Ambassadors and as well as the State Youth Ambassador last year.
He added that the Academy seeks to teach youths on leadership initiative, prepare them for leadership position, promote patriotism and mutual understanding among other sterling qualities that would make them handle leadership positions successfully in the future.
The State Youth Ambassador, Mr. Lana Promise advised the participants to explore the opportunities embedded in the programme. “I want to urge you not to look down on the programme because it is free but be ready to maximize every of the various sessions for your personal benefits and development.
