The President of African Development Bank (ADB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has tasked Nigerian youths on value reorientation in order to ensure transformation of Nigerian, adding that there is need for a massive rebirth and proper financing of education for a new Nigeria.
He stated this Saturday in Abuja at the maiden 2020 prize presentation ceremony and graduation of 53 leadership ambassadors organised by the Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL), with the theme: “leadership excellence and the secret of weaving diversity into national cohesion”.
Speaking virtually, Adesina said that to produce effective leaders, the society must hold the leaders accountable for the roles they played in national development, noting that there was need for a rigorous learning culture that would challenge the youths on skills development and creativity.
He said: “Leaders are change agents for good governance. For the Nigeria we hope for, we must prepare and build a leadership pipeline that will translate to effective management of human capital. It is important for leaders to listen to public opinions. Those who give up easily in the face of criticism are not leaders. Leaders always have clear visions and keep visions simple.
“Effective leaders must learn to appreciate diversity and desire development. The culture of rigorous learning enables strong academic and mental growth and exposes global interactions and it fosters excellence. There is therefore urgent need for a massive rebirth and proper financing of a new education system for a new Nigeria as well as full transparency of governance system.”
Also speaking, the Chairman Governing Board, Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL), Prof Anya O. Anya, said the prize was aimed at identifying and reinventing a new culture of leadership in Nigeria, hence the selection of young Nigerians to lead the charge.
He said: “The Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL) is an intervention by some eminent Nigerians to chart a new course of deliberate action aimed at identifying and reinventing a new culture of leadership in Nigeria. This paradigm will also raise a stronger credible successor generation of leaders for the nation, on a sustainable basis and across different sectors of our society.
“In summary, Our Mission is to institute and project a truly Nigerian leadership Prize that will inspire Nigerians to lead a life larger than self, for community, nation and humanity. It is envisaged to be the highest, most reliable, and prestigious single leadership Prize in Nigeria. The Prize targets Nigerians of all ages, who have shown Outstanding, Credible, Exemplary, and Sustainable success, with clearly identifiable value addition to Nigeria’s development.”
