By Seyi Taiwo-Oguntuase
Reporter, Lagos
There is an African adage which says the world was loaned to the elders by the children.
Therefore, it goes without saying that today’s youths would end up being tomorrow’s leaders. It is a tradition set by nature that every generation would have its chance of leading a society.
This is why in every proactive society, structures are always put in place by current leaders to help the successive generation perform better so as to move the society forward in all spheres of life.
In Nigeria where leadership is synonymous with corruption; the leaders of tomorrow have painfully become intellectually malnourished and financially miserable.
To help protect the sanctity and hopes of these youths, it has become imperative for other sections of the society to give hope to the youths through well-articulated programmes aimed at pointing them at other ways they can help themselves remain relevant to the world.
This perhaps informed Christ Crusaders’ Deliverance Ministries based in Akute area of Ogun State to organize a national empowerment youth summit.
Tagged Setting Agenda for Futuristic Realities, the youths had the rare privilege of being exposed to ideas that can improve their lives and move them forward on all fronts.
The summit kicked off with a marriage counseling session handled by the founder of Best Spring Foundation, Aramide Oikelome.
During the session, Oikelome explained that marriage is a journey of a lifetime and that the way they handle their lives now will determine how their future turns out.
She also told them that before embarking on the journey that marriage is known to be, they must make sure they are ready for it.
“Marriage is a journey of a lifetime. Before you embark on the journey, make sure you are ready in all ramifications. Don’t live your life carelessly so that you will not regret it in the end,” she said.
She however challenged young ladies not to sell themselves cheap because of whatever challenges they may be facing at the moment, noting that any life issues should be seen as a stepping stone to greatness in life.
Giving an insight into her early life, Oikelome said it can only be by the grace of God and the determination she had to keep herself and not to mess around.
“If you as a young lady allow yourself to be used any how, those guys will just use and dump you but if you keep yourself they will respect you for who you are.
“Don’t be alone in the room with a woman or a man when you are not married to that person, it is dangerous. And also as a lady, do not dress up in front of your brothers, either younger or elder brothers, it is not good. Even if you are living in a one-room apartment, take your clothes to the bathroom where you had your bath, dress up there before you come to your room.”
She further advised young ladies to desist from dressing indecently, advising them to cover their bodies properly to avoid harassment from men.
“I will advise you all to love God, fear him and also prepare for your future, prepare financially, morally, physically, emotionally and be ready to take responsibility. Even when you are still single you can begin by taking responsibility for your siblings and parents so that when you are fully married, it will not be strange to you,” she advised.
Furthermore, the event had an avenue for a panel which handled the interactive session, with the discussion focusing on the role of the youth in a democratic society.
The discussants include Iyanu Ogunkoya, Seyi Shobayo, Joseph Ahonsi, Ifeanyi Ishie and Miracle Ugbah, all of who are members of the church’s youth department.
They all stressed the need for youths, especially Christians, to participate in politics so as to contribute their own quota to nation building and turn the country around for Christ.
According to Ogunkoya, it is important for the Christian youth to actively participate in politics so that the country will be a better place for everyone.
“To me, it is important for Christian youths to be involved in politics so that we can have a better tomorrow and the country will be a better place for everyone.”
Shobowale said when more Christian youths become involved in politics, it will help sanitise the whole political system of our country as they would do things the right way and rule with the fear of God.
He also said there is need to empower them for optimum performance and that the youths must not waste their vigour on irrelevant things that will not do the country any good.
In his own view, Ahonsi noted that youths should be encouraged to participate in politics so that they will do what God expects them to do and come up with new ideas.
Hear him, “Nigerian youths are talented and up to the task of taking leadership positions in this country. We should be given that chance and opportunity to prove our worth. My advice to my fellow youths is not to misuse the opportunity.”
Ishie argued that it is necessary for the church to inculcate good manners, good values into the youths so they don’t emulate our bad leaders. He also said there is need for the youths to change their orientation and focus on the ways to move the country forward.
Ugbah, in her own contribution, said Nigerians constitute the main problem of Nigeria, stressing that the major problem of this country is that majority of its citizenry are greedy and self-centered.
“If we actually consider assisting ourselves and being concerned about others, the country will be a better place to live in.
The youth president, Seun Adeniran implored the youths to be more responsible and live an exemplary life. He appealed to his colleagues to be models for the rest of the world as Christian ambassadors.
However the youth pastor of the church, Pastor Yemi Adebisi, while delivering his address, spoke on seven vital things the youths need to know if they hope to succeed in life.
He said these include setting achievable goals every year, dreaming big and believing in their dreams. Other things are, the need for youths to work out their plans on daily basis, for them to be warfare-oriented, be teachable and always ready to learn from the mistakes of others. He urged them to accept their errors and harped on the need to move with dreamers who will move their lives forward rather than with dream killers who do not have any meaningful thing to add to their lives.
Other activities at the summit were raffle draws; Bible quiz competition among the different branches of the church, song ministrations, special rendition among others.
Winners of the quiz competition were presented with various gifts items.
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