The
event which didn't begin at the scheduled time later began at about 11:00am
with the opening prayer said by Pastor Dave Ogbole. After this, the moderator
Dr. Ikpanor asked both stanzas of the Nigerian National anthem to be sang; this
was of course preceded by the introduction of guests present; Notable from
amongst them, the guest speakers Ms. Laura Utume and Mr. Adejo Oko and also the
lead speaker Prof. Yakubu Aboki Ochefu. Others included the Jukun community of
Benue State, Convener of LEAD Benue Mr. Akula Samson and his LEAD team, Senator
A.B Mark was represented and a host of others.
The
moderator Dr. Elijah Ikpanor without much ado introduced the Chairperson of
LEAD cooperative, Dr. Victoria Egwaor Daaor who was standing in for the
Coordinator of LEADBenue to give the opening remarks.
In
her short and concise remarks Dr. Daaor on behalf of the Coordinator Mr.
Lazarus Msaaga Apir offered apologies for his absence stating that he was
unable to arrive the country within schedule to meet the event. Mrs Daaor
encouraged participants to further stand behind LEAD to place it on the
threshold of history for society's betterment.
She emphasized that "we must
open up our minds to true change and move away from mediocrity".
She stated that "the young people have
proven aggressive due to frustration and assured further that LEAD would create
a platform where true progress will be made and our people will vent". She
assured participants further of their safety throughout the symposium.
After
the opening remarks, it was time to get down to the business of the day, it was
then that the moderator introduced and read the citation of the first speaker,
Mr. Ogiri Adejo.
Mr.
Ogiri in his exquisite presentation had a lot of high points;
Notable
"quotable quotes" from his presentation are highlighted below:
"Give
me just one generation of youth and I'd transform the whole city"
-
The youth are the true spine of the society and a lot of things do not happen
because the young people ignore their true strength"
-
"Politics is the currency of man's interaction with his fellow men".
-
"youths not oil; are the nation's true wealth"
-
"The youths don't decide the debts taken or how they are spent but we pay
and why can't we ask for a place in decision making?"
-
"The youths are the highest determinants as to whether a candidate and
their party wins or loses an election"
-
" We have an advantage today as youths, if ignored this will become a
time-bomb".
Ogiri's well prepared presentation
basically was a clarion call for the youths to rise to the occasion and take
their rightful place in leadership. His 40 minutes’ presentation centrally was
to the notion that it is time for the young Nigerians to take their currency
back and situate themselves in the proper positions.
As
an interlude, Dr. Ikpanor did include that as youths we needed to reshape our
thinking; he opined further that scaling our priorities "properly"
had become necessary the moment we realized that we would not be
"easily" granted a sit at the table. He asked that we change tact in
the war we have been fighting as we have been fighting wrong. In his words;
"Let us shift our arsenals from
attacking elders on social media to building blocks for our own future by the
instrumentality of the PVC".
With
this he introduced and read the Citation of the second speaker; Ms Laura Utume.
Mrs
Utume's 45 minutes’ presentation was another classic. It was an "all high
point" presentation. Notable "quotable quotes" from her
presentation are;
-"We
have no democracy in Nigeria, we have civil rule. The generation now must
change the narrative."
-"The
youth is that extremely important and greatly acceptable value for transaction
that is used in the negotiation of power"
-"The
true power brokers are the youth but we have sacrificed our place on the altars
of short-sightedness"
-We
lack basically the capacity to discuss the primary issues; because we have made
it thus".
-"
Mentorship, objective followership and apprenticeship have lost their true
essence. We would rather today identify the people who tell us the not so true
and convenient statements than the lot who tell the uncomfortable but
progressive truth".
-"To
be able to get any kind of freedom, religious or political; you must first have
economic freedom".
-"
We need to stand together or we would all fail. They know this and they do not
want to see us happen".
-"
It will not be easy;
The protectors of the status quo and
the brotherhood of indifferent pessimists will be mitigating factors against us
but we would go beyond their believes IF we stand together"
-"
We are the LEADers of tomorrow; tomorrow is now, none else is coming".
-
"Nothing about us that is without us is for us".
She
closed her beautiful paper harping on integrity and the need to stand together.
She
emphasized that choosing wise battles will go a long way to getting it right as
she asked the fundamental question;
"Where
are those who died fighting for politicians’ pre-elections in history today"?
The
answer is visible to the blind and audible to the deaf: Nowhere in history.
In
his interlude, Dr. Ikpanor in his usual superb style did drop a question that
left the audience "pin-drop" silent;
"How
can we ever be included if we talk down on our generation more than we promote
them"?
It
was time now to usher in the "big wig"
The
moderator read the enviable citation of the lead speaker after a short break.
The
citation of Professor Ochefu left everybody in wait and need there be emphasis
that he did not disappoint? He didn't.
Prof.
Y.A Ochefu began by appreciating the effort and stating that young people (the
oldest of whom was 38 then) did what LEAD today attempts as far back as 96; a
group he was a nucleus part of, one that would later give birth to the Benue
Advancement Plan.
He
said;
"We sent the document to the
UNDP to critique' the UNDP said it was a master document but asked if we were
sure Benue had the executive capacity to implement the ideas".
He
threw the same question at LEAD's effort.
Professor
Ochefu's One hour presentation was breath-taking and pure class.
Every
moment was a high one. Notable "quotable quotes " from the
presentation are highlighted. below;
-
" it is one thing to have the energy and passion to do something
positively and another new thing to choose wise company".
-
"If we stand strong when tested, we learn and grow from the process".
-"Young people must learn to
climb the ropes and have their pedigree tested. They must grow. A man who has
never been head boy of his school cannot want to be Senator of zone C from
nowhere; people should grow".
-
"If
you cannot communicate your ideas, it is either you are trying to mask your ignorance
or you are helpless".
-
"Where you want to go, a lot of people will not; some cannot, when you
find them, move on. Suffer together, more importantly, go together".
-"Leaders
must stand strong by standing for something; they must inspire others
following".
-
"Situation Variables in leadership determines how one rules. You rule
depending on society’s state…in peace, prosperity or war; Rule. A balanced
leader however can combine this variables and rule".
-"These
things have been done before, why not again?"
The
astute academician concluded by charging the younger generation to continue in self-development
and encouraged LEAD Benue kind of ideas as they ultimately will lead to giant
strides.
The
moderator at this juncture opened spaces for questions to be taken on all three
presentations.
Reactions
and questions from Kenneth Ati and another lady representing the Jukun
community drew out answers from the Professor.
Of importance was his mention during
this response; that one of Benue's most successful governors Apolos Aper Aku
did deliver because he assembled some of the best brains Benue had at the time;
unlike the situation now where judgement stinks with political colouring than
capacity.
He
concluded by saying "what is lacking is youth opportunity…We've said all
that needs to be said and all we need is someone to work. Somebody who would
pick up the documents and do".
Closing
reactions were interesting and contributions from Pastor Dave Ogbole who
charged all to train themselves and stay prepared amongst others closed the
event.
The
very fulfilling event came to a close at about 03:00PM
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