The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mojisola Meranda, has charged the pioneer fellows of the Lagos Youth Development Institute (LYDI) to embrace digital innovation and lead with transformative vision.
She gave the charge at the Lagos Youth Leadership Conference 1.0, held on Wednesday at the Nigerian-German Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Speaking on the theme, “Future-Proof Leaders: Harnessing Digital Innovation for Impact,” the eminent legislator congratulated the graduating fellows and lauded the initiative, describing it as “a visionary platform.”
The leadership institute is an initiative of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State Chapter, under the leadership of Engr. Adigun Olalekan Ibrahim, MNSE, aimed at training the next generation of leaders.
In her remarks, Meranda emphasized the importance of initiatives like LYDI in nurturing youths for personal development and leadership positions.
She noted that laws alone cannot make a society function perfectly:
“It takes leaders; disciplined, polished, and forward-thinking, who embody values to legislate effectively. Leadership without polish is like innovation without structure.”
She urged the young leaders not only to apply the rigorous leadership trainings they have received to make the world better but also to explore digital innovations, ensure their social footprint reflects integrity, and channel their creativity towards the common good.
While commending the youth umbrella body and specifically LYDI leadership, the Deputy Speaker reminded the fellows of the expectations upon them to be inspirations to their contemporaries. She encouraged them to put the leadership values learned during the months-long of intensive training into practice, adding: “Lagos is watching, Nigeria is waiting. The future belongs to those who are prepared in mind, in conduct, and in purpose (like yourselves).”
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the institute, Comrade Ademosu Jamiu described the leadership hub as the response of Lagos NYCN to youth development explaining that it is specifically designed to raise ethical, productive and purpose-driven leaders grounded in the youth umbrella body’s core values of professionalism, productivity and publicity.
He recalled that the institute received applications from over 600 young individuals across the state but outstanding 30 were selected after rigorous assessments. He announced that the 23 graduates have gone through intensive 12 weeks of topnotch hybrid learning sessions with over 15 facilitators, two international trainers and institutional partners on foundations of transformational leadership and personal development, entrepreneurial leadership and career advancement and capstone training and experience to make them future-ready.
“We adopted a flexible hybrid model combining virtual and physical learning, civic immersion visits, and mentorship labs ensuring every participant learned not only what leadership is but how leadership works. The results have been incredible. We recorded over 600 applications, 23 selected fellows, 15 expert facilitators, 10 field visits, more than 120 hours of active learning, and 10 impactful community projects
across Lagos. Each number tells a story, a story of a young person who has found purpose, confidence, and clarity,” Ademosu said.
He expressed optimism that the fellows are ready for leadership across communities and public and private institutions as he appreciated the opportunity to lead the leadership hub.
He expressed gratitude to the various partners which he said included LEAP Africa, GIZ Nigeria, LASRAB, Civic Hive, InnerBloom Academy, Mind the Gap, American Corner, and the various Lagos State Ministries and Agencies.
“Beyond the numbers, the true measure of LYDI’s success lies in the stories of our fellows. Young people who once doubted their potential are now leading projects across communities in Lagos. Some have launched civic initiatives, others have taken up leadership roles in youth organizations, and many have become advocates for
governance, innovation, and development,” Ademosu added.
On his part, Engr. Adigun expressed delight in delivering on yet another item on his P3+ agenda adding that youth empowerment should not only be government’s responsibility.
Adigun who doubles as the Chairman, Conference of State Chairmen of NYCN (CofC) described LYDI as a project after his heart while also appreciating the various partners who helped transformed the vision into a celebrated institution.
He added that the initiative was also the prove Lagos NYCN’s status as a partner in progress with the state government to further development the youth space.
“The bigger picture is to ensure that the youth development space in Lagos is better for it. Of course, Mr. Governor; Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu will be proud of this because one of the reasons he’s added plus to his THEMES agenda is that no one is left behind and that’s exactly what we are doing with our youth-oriented initiatives like LYDI,” he remarked.
While the highlight of the event was the formal graduation ceremony for the 23 young individuals and induction as pioneer fellows of the institute, the event also featured presentations from notable speakers as well as panel session on the theme, capstone pitch presentations by the fellows, fireside chat session on the topic “leading with innovation”, LYDI Roadmap, as well as recognition of outstanding youth and partners.
Other notable dignitaries in attendance included the immediate past chairman of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA; Hon. Rasaq Ajala, the Senior Special Assistant to the State Governor on Wealth Creation and Employment; Tijani Saheed, the immediate past vice chairman of Agege Local Government; Hon. Gbenga Abiola and the director of youth development, Lagos State Ministry of youth and social development; Mr. Saka AbdulLateef among others.
