Speakers at the just concluded Future Leadership Conference held at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Kofo Abayomi, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday expressed optimism that the country will be great again despite her current challenges.
In his keynote address, the convener of the conference, Mr. Mark Idiahi, said it was time Nigerians especially the youths started wishing the country well.
Idiahi noted that the conference, (in its fourth edition) was borne out the passion to right the several wrongs in Nigeria as a nation.
He further explained that the youths have prominent roles to play in developing the country, hence the reason for convening the programme to instil the right ideas to achieve a great nation.
Delivering his lecture, Prof. Joseph Mba, a professor of Strategic Management and Entrepreneurship said the problem with the average Nigerian and the youth, in particular, is character.
Mba stated that until the youths learn to deploy positive character in their daily activities, the country may not move forward.
“The problem with an average Nigerian youth is character. For brands to succeed or perform ahead of its competitors, it must have a positive character. Character is everything. A Nigerian with the right character will not kill or hurt his fellow Nigerian irrespective of the religion or political ideologies he or she practices. We need people with the right character to move the country forward and that must begin with all of you in this hall,” Mba said.
Also speaking at the conference, the Principal Consultant/Founder Adstrat BMC LTD, Mr. Charles O’Tudor said Nigerians and indeed Nigeria can attain her desired spot in the comity of nations if all works on having a positive DNA.
O’Tudor who broke away from the usual norm by leading the participants at the conference in a five minutes worship and prayer session also hammered on the need to draw closer to God for a sustainable growth and development.
Other speakers also reiterated the need for youths to start participating actively in politics. They noted that if France can produce a 39-year-old-President, Nigeria should even be able to produce a much younger president considering the large availability of young human resources already doing exploits in their various fields of specialization.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to some deserving personalities.