In a recent gathering at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima delivered a compelling message to young graduates, urging them to channel their potential toward shaping a brighter future for Nigeria rather than seeking opportunities abroad. The call to action came during a visit by the Chief of Staff to the President and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who led the graduating class of the second cohort of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative.
Vice President Shettima set the tone for empowerment, recognizing the diverse talents in the room and envisioning a future that includes future presidents, vice presidents, senators, members of the House of Representatives, governors, as well as leaders in various industries. He emphasized the need for graduates to reject disillusionment and embrace their potential within the country. Addressing the graduates, the Vice President dispelled the notion that opportunities abroad are inherently superior, stating, “Let no one make you feel inferior as a Nigerian. One out of every four black men is a Nigerian. Let no one deceive you that the grass is greener at the other end. Certainly, we can make it green on our home turf.”
The vice president challenges conventional leadership perception.
Acknowledging the challenges currently facing Nigeria, Mr. Shettima expressed unwavering optimism about overcoming them. He said, “Our country is going through some difficulties and challenges, but we are going to surmount it. We are going to cross the Rubicon. We are going to cross the Red Sea and take you to the land of opportunities and blessings.” Highlighting the digital prowess of the graduates, the Vice President encouraged them to leverage their skills for national development. “Most of you here are digital Wizkids – you are digitally savvy. Let no one deceive you about careering out of this country. Let’s stay here and make this country work. This is our country. The future belongs to you,” he affirmed.
Shettima challenged the conventional perception of leadership, shifting the focus from physical strength to intellectual agility. He emphasized, “The hallmark of true leadership is not the ability to lift a bag of cement, but the ability to come up with robust solutions to a nation’s problems.” In a bold assertion, the Vice President predicted a rebound for the country in the coming months and urged the graduates to reject negativity. “Say no to the naysayers and to the prophets of doom. It doesn’t serve any purpose. Our ability to accept each other; and our tolerance threshold will determine how far we can go as a nation. And the quality of governance is crucial to the goal and trajectory of our nation,” he added.
Advice to actively participate in shaping Nigeria.
Furthermore, Vice President Shettima called on the LMI graduates to actively participate in shaping Nigeria’s destiny. Recognizing their digital skills and newfound sense of purpose and national pride, he stated, “Their digital skills, combined with their newfound sense of purpose and national pride, have the potential to transform the nation’s landscape, and certainly, we can make it green on our home turf.” In response, Femi Gbajabiamila, the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative, commended the unique qualities of the young men and women in the cohort.
He emphasized the need for adaptation, acknowledging the changing times. Gbajabiamila noted the significant competition, with over 5,000 applicants vying for a spot in the program, highlighting the exceptional potential of the selected group. “These young men and women before us are going to be doing greater and mightier things than those who came before them last year. I wish I had somebody to mentor me when I was growing up. You guys are lucky,” Gbajabiamila expressed, emphasizing the importance of mentorship in personal and professional development.
This is a compelling vision for the country’s future.
Summarily, Vice President Shettima call for graduates to invest their talents and skills in the development of Nigeria presents a compelling vision for the country’s future. The emphasis on rejecting disillusionment, embracing national pride, and actively participating in shaping the nation’s destiny resonates as a rallying cry for the youth to be architects of positive change within their homeland. As the country faces challenges, the Vice President’s optimism and encouragement of intellectual leadership provide a roadmap for the graduates to contribute to the growth and prosperity of Nigeria.
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