The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development is organising a study tour of Canada for youth leaders to Queen’s University, Toronto, Canada.
The aim is to ensure that youth leaders in Lagos State are well equipped with the wherewithal required to perform at a global level.
In his keynote address at the Press Briefing/Signing of the Joint Agreement on the program themed :”Empower Lagos”facilitated by Future Perspectives, the Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mr Mobolaji Abubakre Ogunlende said, “this is more than a ceremonial event; it is a reaffirmation of the State Government’s unwavering dedication to youth development, global exposure and inclusive leadership.
“It exemplifies what we can do when we embrace partnership, vision and deposit great investment in our young people.
“This tour not only broadens our youth leaders’ perspectives but also equips them with relevant skills to contribute meaningfully to policymaking, innovation and community impact back home.
“It will empower our youth leaders to think globally, lead confidently and act with a strong sense of civic responsibility.”
According to the Commissioner, the study tour with focus on “Leadership in Innovation and Sustainable Development ” will afford the participants the opportunity of gaining hands-on experience in key areas such as the Innovator’s Mindset, Strategic Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Design Thinking, Business Model Development, Governance and Digital Transformation.
“The participants will experience rich cultural immersions, including a tour of Queen’s and Kingston community;1000 Islands Boat Cruise; the Majestic Niagara Falls; the Dunin Deshpande Innovation Centre;the Ignition Cafe; the Ingenuity Lab Research Institute; the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts; and the Amazon Fulfillment Centre.
“In addition, our youth leaders will also participate in the prestigious Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship, hosted by Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business.”
Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Mrs Toyin Oke-Osanyintolu stated that “Empower Lagos”is not just a call to action; it is a movement, a bold declaration that our young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow, but the changemakers of today.
“Through this initiative, we are not merely opening doors; we are building bridges to a future where Lagos shines even brighter on the global stage, driven by energy, innovation and leadership of its youth.”
Mrs Oke-Osanyintolu disclosed that the Canada Study Tour, the third in the series was a transformative journey designed to expand minds, ignite dreams and sharpen the leadership skills of the youths that will shape the state’s destiny.
She added that by learning from the best global practices in leadership, governance and enterprise , our youth leaders will return equipped to innovate, inspire, lead and make a change in ways we can only begin to imagine.
Talking on the Study Tour Overview, Executive Director, Future Perspectives, Abby Asekun stated that the programme is packaged to give participants life transforming experience both from the academic and practical perspective with entrepreneurial courses embedded in it to make the youth leaders well rounded at the end.
Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria , Lagos State Chapter, Engineer Ibrahim Adigun, Transformational Leader, Oyekunle Adeojo, State Ambassador, Obadare Adenekan and Badagry Youth Ambassador, Bukola Aladesulu who spoke on their expectations from the study tour promised to maximize the opportunity by taking it with seriousness, participating actively in every aspect of it in order to justify the resources channelled into it by the state government. (vitalnewsngr.com)
