The Chairperson of the Chair Centre, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, has called on Christians to recognise their crucial role in shaping Nigeria’s future.
Awosika, who is the co-founder of Afterschool Graduate Development Centre, said this while delivering a lecture as a guest speaker at Foursquare’s 11th Annual Public Lecture held last Tuesday.
While speaking on the topic, “Leadership in Nigeria and its Impact on the Next Generation,” the guest speaker explained that with Christians comprising approximately fifty percent of the nation’s population, their presence in government and public offices must translate into meaningful change.
She said, “If Nigeria fails, then all Christians have failed,” urging the audience to consider the implications of their representation in leadership positions.
“If we fail in our responsibilities of good representation, it is because we failed in our responsibilities to influence for God.”
Highlighting a systemic issue within the country’s leadership framework, Awosika asserted that “our value chain for leadership as a country is broken.” According to her, individuals do not assume leadership roles without a foundation; “nobody became a governor the day he was born,” emphasising that the values instilled in leaders during their upbringing are pivotal to their success.
Drawing attention to the broader implications, the Chairperson of the Chair Centre warned, “The children you do not educate will visit your mansions with guns at night.” She underscored the urgent need for proactive engagement in leadership development, stating that the consequences will be dire if society does not address its leadership failings.
“Our challenge right now is structural, and you cannot change the structural problem from one point,” she added.
In his remarks, the General Overseer of Foursquare Church in Nigeria, Rev.d Sam Aboyeji, appreciated the Chairman of the public lecture and governor of Ekiti state, ‘Biodun Oyebanji, the host governor and special guest of honour, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, who was represented by Mrs. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the Secretary to the State Government; and the guest speaker, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, chairperson of the Chair Center.
While lauding the past guest speakers, the general overseer explained that the annual public lecture which has attracted the participation of citizens from all walks of life, including government functionaries and corporate organisations forms part of the church’s contribution to the discourse on nation-building.
Speaking on the choice of topic for the lecture, Rev’d Aboyeji stated that the success or failure of any organisation or institution is determined by the capacity of its leadership, adding that strong and true leadership is required for the success of any entity.
“In Nigeria today, the next generation represents approximately 70% of the population, making them the largest demographic group. However, they frequently face stereotypes and misconceptions, which has overshadowed their contributions and realities. A number of our productive and versatile youths have opted to leave the shores of our nation in search of a better future.
“Leadership at all levels must therefore be intentional in its approach at modelling selfless and impactful leadership worthy of emulation by the next generation. Only then can we safely be guaranteed a bright and prosperous future as a nation? In the words of English-born American author and inspirational speaker, Simon Sinek, “leadership is not about the next election, it is about the next generation.” Leaders who embrace this perspective understand that their actions today will reverberate far into the future, influencing the trajectory of history and shaping the opportunities available to the next generations.
“As a church, we have identified the need to actively engage and absorb the nextgen into leadership positions within our fold and have taken steps to ensure that not only are our youths prepared to offer authentic and impactful leadership, they are also deliberately onboarded into positions of influence right from the local church level up to the national level of our operations,” he said.
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