Participants at the 2023 Nelson Mandela International Day has advocated for selfless leadership in Africa in commemoration of the day in Lagos.
The event organised by the University of Lagos, Akoka in collaboration with the Education Writers’ Association of Nigeria (EWAN); a group of journalists reporting education in the country and beyond is in commemoration of Nelson Mandela Day, at the 3rd edition of the UMOJA African Students Leadership Network Summit, themed “Making more Mandelas” on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the Deputy-Political Consul General South-African Consulate in Lagos, Busisiwe Dlamini has implored Africans to Individually and Collectively look into the life of former South-African president Nelson Mandela, what He was and what He stood for to make a greater and better approach to the people’s needs in the Continent.
She emphasized that Making more Mandela like-minded people would help develop the Continent politically economically socially and culturally.
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The Vice Chancellor University of Lagos Prof. Folashade Ogunsola who was represented by the Dean of student affairs UNILAG Prof Musa Obalola admonished African Youths to build strong political and economic commitment that will make African Continental better.
In his remark, the Research Associate Professor at the Institute of Africa and Diaspora studies, University of Lagos, Dr. Kayode Eesuola, advised that Africans should find their way back to their roots, recognize those things in Africa that can aid competition with the Western World, tap into available resources and collaborate with foreign ideas for Improvement.
The Chairman, Education Writers Association of Nigeria, EWAN, Mojeed Alabi, noted that materialism, crave for Power, wealth and fame has override the foundational meaning and purpose of leadership in Africa.
Alabi said that EWAN would encourage improvement in educational system towards better political leadership participation amongst the youths in the African Continent.
The Representatives of the young generation from Nigeria and South-Africa who formed the bulk of the panelists advised that there should be Involvement of youths in the forefront of policy formulation and implementation as well as education at the grassroots so that uneducated and unemployed youths would not be at the mercy of politician’s exploitative acts.
They appealed to Leaders to back them up and not stifle their voices while they learn to recognize, accept and respect their difference and diversity in unity.
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