FULafia Vice Chancellor charges youths on nation building

The Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Professor Shehu Abdul Rahman, has advocated for more participation of youths  in leadership and entrepreneurship in Africa.

According to the vice-chancellor, exempting the youths from participation in the areas would undermine the development of nations.

Professor Abdul Rahman, who spoke at the Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI), Nasarawa State Network Summit, described youths as the future leaders of a nation, adding that "any nation without youths cannot have a bright future.

Commending the students of FULafia for their participation in the programme, Abdul Rahman, who was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Partnerships, Professor Usman Samaila Dakyes, said to the youths that "your choices and actions today as youth will determine your future tomorrow.”

Describing the importance of the event, Abdul Rahman said that such platform could help improve their public speaking skills and connect them with other Africa’s young leaders.

While declaring the event open, Abdul Rahman advised the students to join YALI to shape their future.

Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) is a vibrant online community started in 2010, in the White House, Washington D.C., with participation of 115 young leaders from across 46 Sub-Sahara Africa.

The programme was first hosted by a former America President, Barrack Obama.

The YALI Network has 640,000 members with the vision of building leaders and equipping them on how to effect change around important issues in communities.

YALI Network was established in Nasarawa State in year 2018 with Barr. Emmanuel Kuza as its pioneer coordinator.

The event was held at the Management Information System (MIS), Permanent Site Campus, (FULafia), with the theme: "The Youth Emergence: Leadership, Politics, Entrepreneurship, Financial Inclusion and Innovation".

Speaking also, the Librarian, Federal University of Lafia, (FULafia), Professor Abiodun Iyoro, thanked Abdul Rahman and the Management of the University for partnering with the YALI to host the 2023 Summit.

He advised the young Africa’s leaders to position themselves to benefit from the riches offered by globalisation.

While appreciating the vice-chancellor,  the Coordinator, Young Africa Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network, Nasarawa State, Blessing Emmanuel Ibi, said that the collaboration between her organisation and FULafia was in the interests of both parties, saying that it would help in shaping the futures of the country’s youth.