By Nneka Nwogwugwu
The Unilag Mass Communication Alumni Association (UMCAA) is set to organise a lecture series that will discuss strategies for effective Youth Leadership in Nigeria.
The President of the Association, Vincent Oyo, in a press statement, announced that the fourth edition of its distinguished lecture series will hold on 15 July, 2021.
The event which will hold at the university’s main auditorium, will discuss on the theme, ‘Communication Strategy Options for Youth Leadership: Reflection On #EndSARS.”
In a communique sent to NatureNews, the event will develop communication strategy options for youth leadership.
According to the communique, “There is no doubt that Nigeria is at a crossroad, with talk of secession, or at least self determination, trailing unchecked insecurity, unemployment of youths, economic downturn and general discord among peoples of the federating nations of the Nigerian state.
“Nigeria Bureau of Statistics reports that youths make up 70 per cent of Nigeria’s population. The youths therefore, form the bulk of the unemployed and the restless in the society. Their frustrations with the society, amptly demonstrated during the #ENDSARS protests, should be routed to positive goals.
“How to address and mobilise them for nation building and productive engagement, in the face of the daunting demands of the New Digital Technology and its New Economy, is a big challenge to government, society, church (mosque) and the business community.
“There is no doubt that if the energy, resources and the talents of the youths are harnessed, their frustrations should be considerably checked, and society would be the better for it. Somebody say the energy of the youths is seeking direction.
“Youths have been in the position of leadership in the past, as well as in the present day. France, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand have young leaders. Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Vladimir Putin became leaders of their nations at relatively young age.
“Even in Nigeria, Generals Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Muhammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha and Abdusalam Abubakar became Nigeria’s helmsmen at relatively young ages too.
“The challenge is to get Nigeria’s young to re-focus on nation building, forsake criminal activities and use of drugs, choose to stay back in Nigeria and not become economic migrants in Western metropolitan countries whose economies have matured and set.”
The association noted that the subject would revolve around the growing “discordant tunes” in Nigeria, and the “poor reach out of government policies” to the youths in the country that make up 70 percent of the population.
As part of the programme, there will be a selection of the winning entry for the UMCAA Entrepreneurship competition targeted at students of Unilag’s Mass Communication Department.
Its aim is to “imbue entrepreneurship ideas, encourage empowerment, and reduce overdependence on paid employment,” the association’s president said.
Among keynote speakers include, the Head Pastor of the Covenant Nation church, Mr. Poju Oyemade and the event will be chaired by Pro-Chancellor/ Chairman of Council, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Chief Lawson Omokhodion.
The panelists would include a mix of media experts including the owner of Smooth FM, Mr. Fred Ohwahwa.
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