EDUCATION
Abia Leadership Academy Graduates Pioneer Class as Otti pledges Commitment to Building Future Leaders
The pioneer class of the Abia Leadership Academy, cohort one, has graduated after successfully completing seven days of intensive training on leadership at Government College, Umuahia.
The training was organised by the Abia State Government for one thousand young Abians aged between 16 and 20 years.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony, Governor, Alex Otti reiterated his commitment to building future leaders that will uphold and promote the ideals of good governance in Nigeria and beyond.
Cohort one graduands in a group photograph with Gov. Alex Otti
Otti, whose speech was titled: “A New Pedestal,” said that he is intentional about developing the leadership attitude of the young people in the State.
“We are committed to getting it right with the younger generation. Otherwise, our wider development efforts will be in jeopardy,” Otti said.
“We are particular about developing the leadership attitude of our young ones, guiding them to think broadly and deeply to understand the values of empathy and good neighbourliness.
“The Abia Leadership Academy has been set up to begin the process of returning us to the ideals and values that made us distinct as a people in the wider human community.
“We have actively taken a conscious step to redirect the psyche and mental energy of our young people to the values and standards that once defined our communities.”
The Governor expressed satisfaction with the output, good behaviour, and enthusiasm of the participants and congratulated them on the skills acquired.
He further urged them not to raise shoulders in arrogance, but to elevate their vision.
The Governor said his target is to train thousands of young people over the next few years.
He directed the project committee to draw up modalities on how to deploy the 1,000 participants to secondary and tertiary institutions to share their knowledge with their fellow youths.
He also noted that the curriculum is currently being reviewed to ensure that what is being taught in the schools is in sync with the realities of the time.
The Chairman Abia State Civil Service Commission and a member of the Abia Leadership Academy organising committee, Eno Jerry-Eze described the Abia Leadership Academy as historic, saying that, with it, Abia is raising a critical mass of young leaders who believe that change is possible.
“This moment is indeed epochal because we are not just producing graduates. We are raising a critical mass of young leaders who believe that change is possible and who are equipped to drive it,” she said.
“We envision a future where the top 10% of professionals in any industry across the globe will proudly traced their roots to Abia Leadership Academy.
“Today, through this academy, we present a hub for young people who, beyond conventional education, have been equipped with future-proof skills, a rich, solution-driven curriculum that empowers them to become leaders of thought, policy, and innovation.”
Highlighting the content of the programme, the Lead Consultant and Programme Director, Mr. Johnson Abali thanked the Governor for his bold move to plant leadership skills in the young people and described the programme as an investment.
Mr. Abali informed the Governor that the participants were divided into five ports and groups, so that they can have an immense learning experience, saying that, “They have been immersed in leadership lessons, exposed to critical thinking frameworks, and challenged to imagine Abia in 2045”
Some of the participants including Clinton Salvation, Divine Okezie, Oluomachi Favour Otum among others, while thanking the Governor for the opportunity given to them to be trained, described the 7 days training at the Abia Leadership Academy as a life changing experience.
They said that the lessons learnt would sharpen their thoughts and make them able to contribute greatly to a better future for Abia State and Nigeria at large.