116
By Tracy Moses
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has urged Nigerian youths to cultivate courage, strategic thinking, and competence as essential qualities for building enduring leadership capable of driving national progress.
Kalu made the call when he received a delegation from the Bridge Leadership Foundation, comprising graduates of a six-month intensive leadership training programme, during a courtesy visit to his office in Abuja on Thursday.
Addressing the delegation, the Deputy Speaker reminded them that true influence in leadership is earned through service, vision, and accountability. He stressed that leadership is not a title but a responsibility that demands discipline, empathy, and sound judgment.
He said, “Leadership is tested not in moments of applause but in moments of decision. It is the art of service, the practice of wisdom, and the courage to act when others hesitate. As a legislator and lawyer, I have learned that the power to lead must be exercised with principle, patience, and a relentless commitment to justice.”
Kalu told the young leaders that their credibility would be measured not by their ambition but by their preparedness, the depth of their ideas, and the impact they make in their communities.
The lawmaker emphasized the critical role of youths in shaping Nigeria’s democratic future, noting that the nation’s population structure places them at the heart of governance and development.
According to him, “Nigeria’s demographic reality shows that about 70% of our population is under 35 years old. Globally, youths constitute about 1.8 billion people, while in Africa, over 60% are below 25. Despite this advantage, youth representation in governance remains alarmingly low. In the 10th National Assembly, fewer than 4% of seats are occupied by persons under 35, while less than 1% of all elected offices nationwide are held by young people. This imbalance calls for action, the future cannot wait.”
Kalu reaffirmed that the 10th House of Representatives has placed youth empowerment and inclusion at the core of its legislative agenda.
“The House has championed bills aimed at breaking barriers that hinder youth political participation, strengthening the Not Too Young To Run law, and institutionalizing mentorship and internship programmes within governance structures,” he explained.
He added that other legislative efforts also focus on linking youth development to entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, and economic empowerment through effective oversight of federal programmes.
The Deputy Speaker further highlighted that the Federal Government’s policies are in sync with these legislative priorities, citing initiatives such as the National Youth Investment Fund, reforms in the National Youth Service Corps, and a 30% youth inclusion target in governance.
“In my role as Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review,” he continued, “I can assure you that constitutional reform is not just an academic exercise, it is the framework that defines our democracy. Our Committee is currently reviewing 86 bills across 13 thematic areas, including inclusive representation, governance, and transparency. We encourage young Nigerians to participate actively in this process through zonal hearings and memorandum submissions.”
He urged the young leaders to ensure that the outcome of the constitutional review reflects a modern Nigeria driven by inclusion, accountability, and citizen participation.
Earlier, the Programme Manager of the Bridge Leadership Foundation, former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, said the initiative was born out of the need to prepare Nigerian youths for the complex realities of leadership.
Imoke explained that 25 young Nigerians were selected from over a hundred applicants across 32 states and underwent rigorous training designed to strengthen their leadership and decision-making capabilities.
He said the participants had demonstrated strong potential and creativity, proving that with proper mentorship, Nigerian youths could rise to leadership excellence.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Agenda, Hon. Cyril Hart, emphasized that self-development remains the foundation of effective leadership, urging the participants to continue honing their skills and knowledge.
Similarly, Hon. Billy Osawaru advised the young leaders to harness their God-given talents to build a better Nigeria, noting that the path to greatness begins with a decision to serve and overcome challenges with determination.