The first Lagos Youth Ambassadors have emerged at the Ibile Youth Academy, a Lagos State sponsored leadership training for fresh-out-of-school teens in the state.
The training programme which began in March gathered young people from all the local government areas of the state for the five-day training and then two weeks camping leadership and mentorship initiative.
During the week the first Lagos State Youth Ambassador emerged alongside ten district ambassadors from the academy’s maiden outing.
Master Lana Promise Elijah, a participant from the Ikeja Division, was dubbed the State Youth Ambassador, while Miss Shonibare Zainab from Lagos Island Division, Master Agbaje Maruf from Ikorodu Division, Miss Sarah Anakwe from Badagry Division, Master Badmus Oladipupo from Epe Division and Master Oparacha Winifred from Ikeja Division were named Divisional Ambassadors of the state.
Being the first of its kind, the Honourable Commissioner, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Mrs. Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf during the grand finale held in Ipaja Youth Hostel charged the winners of the Ibile Youth Academy to contribute positively to the development of youths in the state.
Akinbile-Yussuf enjoined the winners to step out with confidence as a team to push boundaries and to think outside-the-box while also showcasing good leadership skills in their various communities and divisions.
She said leadership training initiative was organised to harness the hidden potential and virtues of citizenship, patriotism and volunteerism in the youth.
While expressing gratitude to the state government for the initiative, the Youth Ambassador, promised to work with other divisional ambassadors in developing ideas and solutions to problems affecting the youths in the state.
The best ten participants have been offered further five weeks training in Lagos and Ghana by the Young African Leader’s Initiative (YALI).