Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC) says current challenges in Nigeria are as a result of institutional neglect that has eroded values in the people, especially the youth.
Bakare, made the remarks as a Keynote speaker at “Passing the Torch Mentorship Initiative” programme to commemorate the 60th birthday of the Convener, Mr Idorenyen Enang, held at Marriot Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday.
He lamented that politicians had become excessively consumed with the next election rather than the next generation, resulting in some challenges confronting the nation.
“The consequences are visible everywhere, as a generation that is highly exposed, technologically connected, intellectually aware, yet many lack direction due to lack of mentorship.”
Bakare said there is need for Nigerian leaders to begin to mentor the younger generation in values that could be sustained for nation building.
According to him, nation building is impossible without leadership continuity, pointing out that vision without succession eventually dies.
“Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not just build political structures, he built people.
“His influence shaped several leaders, like late Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande, Adekunle Ajasin among others who carried aspects of his vision into governance and public administration.
“In Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto played a foundational role in preparing and positioning Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for national leadership.
“Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Pan African ideals are not fully translated into ensuring institutions that could shape future generations of thinkers and statesmen.
“Nigeria has progressively lost many of the structures that once enabled effective trans-generational capacity building” he said.
According to Bakare, mentorship is nothing difficult but the problem is that people are scared to either mentor or be mentored.
Bakare lauded the celebrant, describing him as a unique person who had mentored many in society.
“Enang is a living embodiment of mentorship. I have personally had the privilege of mentoring him just like he has mentored so many young people.
“I am particularly delighted that the celebrant chose to celebrate his 60th birthday by continuing bringing the issue of bridging the generation gap and mentoring younger Nigerians for a public discourse rather than throwing alist party.”
Also speaking, Enang, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Corporate Shepherds Ltd, said that Nigeria has the capacity to replicate what its past leaders and older generations had done.
The celebrant, who founded the Passing -The Torch (PTT) Initiative, a platform for mentorship, said it would advance leadership continuity, nation building and mentorship in Nigeria.
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The business mogul and an Executive in Residence at Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University said there is a huge need for value change in Nigeria, especially for the younger generation.
He pointed out that in spite of challenges and some bad leaders being emulated by the younger generation, the present generation could be mentored to progress and value change.
“I thank God for the gift of life at 60 and most importantly for the interest to mentor people.”
He pledged to ensure that titans continue to emerge from the mentorship process in Nigeria.
The panelists, Dr Ini Abimbola, Mrs Julia Oku-Jacks, Mr Femi Odugbemi, Mr Ayo Adio and Fola Niyi-Duale who moderated, reiterated the need for mentorship in Nigeria but noted that there is need for leaders to have what the younger generation can emulate.
The panelists also agreed that most importantly the torch to be passed must be of high quality, high values and must have substance.
They also stressed the need for institutional mentorship, pointing out that individuals alone cannot mentor a nation.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the highlight of the event was the launch of a book ’60 Navigational Truth’ written by Inang.
The book reviewer, Charles Odenigbo Esq. said the book is one of the greatest gifts that Inang could give as a mentor to his proteges.
He said that those in leadership and all sectors of society, including people in correctional centers would find the book very useful, as it will inspire deep change.
