Immediate past Speaker of the House of Representatives and Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has tasked Nigerian youths on nation-building.

Speaking at the launch of the third cohort of the Legislative Mentorship Institute Gbajabiamila urged the 50 selected participants to seize the opportunity to elevate others as they grow into leadership roles.

Addressing the participants, Gbajabiamila emphasized that true leadership is defined not by the ability to bring others down but by the capacity to uplift.

“The great thing about leadership is how many people you pull up. As we try to pull you up, my prayer is that in your time, use whatever you learned here to pull others up,” he said.

The Chief of Staff underscored that the path to leadership is often fraught with challenges, stating, “The road ahead will not always be smooth, but it is by overcoming these obstacles that true leaders are made.”

“I hope and pray that you see it as a privilege and not as a right because there are no rights in this world. Everything is a privilege either from God or from someone for whatever reason,” Gbajabiamila said.

He challenged the trainees to make every day count, emphasizing that their selection was based on the potential to lead and drive positive change. “You are not here because you are lucky, neither are you here because you are better. You have been chosen because we see in you the potential to lead and drive positive change,” he stated.

Also speaking, Director General, National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, Prof Abubakar Sulaiman, said the trainees were embarking on a journey that will challenge them, enrich them, and prepare them for the pivotal roles they are destined to play in shaping the future of our nation.

He said: “You will have the privilege to engage with some of the finest minds, both nationally and internationally, explore the intricacies of our legislative processes, and contribute your own insights to the ongoing discourse on governance and democracy.

Our hope for you is that throughout your time here, you will not only absorb knowledge but also inspire others through your actions and your commitment to the principles of good governance.

“NILDS is more than a place of learning; it is a place of transformation, and as the institutional home of the LMI, we strongly believe in nurturing leaders who are not only equipped with technical skills but who are also driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to make a difference. We are excited to see how each of you will grow, evolve, and contribute to the legacy of the LMI programme”.