LAGOS ( Sundiata Scholar) – Prof. Abiodun Adebayo, the Vice-Chancellor of Covenant University (CU), Sango-Ota, urges alumni associations to create and provide mentorship for students in order to inspire and empower future generations.
Adebayo made the call at a legacy summit organised by University of Calabar (UNICAL) Alumni Association, Lagos Chapter, on Saturday in Lagos.
Theme of the Summit was : “Uniting Generations, Inspiring The Future”.
Adebayo, who was the Keynote Speaker, said that providing mentorship and possible apprenticeship were excellent ways to empower young people to succeed.
“It allows them to have someone to look up to, who can provide guidance and support.
“Mentors can help young people navigate life’s challenges and provide them with the necessary tools to succeed.
“We can leave an enduring legacy to impact the alma mater, the alumni association , and the world for years.
“As the saying goes, ‘We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give’.
“By passing the torch, we can give back to society and ensure that the legacy of excellence,”Adebayo said.
He added that the problem Nigeria was facing today, in this 21st century, was leadership challenge.
“In the rapidly evolving landscape of the 21st century, leaders face an array of challenges that demand innovation , adaptability and resilience.
“The role of a leader has transformed significantly, and the dynamics of today’s globalised and interconnected world present unique obstacles.
“Effective leaders are visionary, but their success lies in clearly sharing and motivating others to buy into the vision.
“They are also very persistent, tenacious, and enthusiastic about the vision, thereby inspiring and encouraging others to follow suit,”Adebayo said.
He added that ineffective leadership had a detrimental effect on morale and productivity in the workplace, by creating an atmosphere of mistrust, fear, and poor motivation among team members.
“It may also lead to stagnation of the growth of the organisation,”Adebayo said.
Prof. Florence Obi, Vice-Chancellor, University of Calabar, said that in spite the current situation in the country, the university was turning a new leaf.
Obi ,was represented by Prof. Eyong Eyong, Dean of Postgraduate School, UNICAL.
She encouraged the alumni to keep pressing and she prayed for all to rise and inspire the future.
“In UNICAL, we have more accredited added courses now and also have over 90 postgraduate programmes, established Centre of Gender Studies and Center for Asian Studies.
“We will be celebrating 50th anniversary of this institution next year by God’s Grace, which will come up during the next convocation in March 2025.
“We want all the alumni to participate because we want to re-enact the old good days and times.
“We will spend time together to experience what the institution was then and now.
“It is time for the alumni to get up by supporting and collaborating with us in order to drive the vision and goals of UNICAL,”she said.
In his opening remarks, Dr Emmanuel Onyenuche, Chairman, Unical Alumni Association, Lagos Chapter, said that the alma mater had always been beacon of excellence.
Onyenuche, Medical Director, Waterfalls Hospital, Lagos, said that it was their collective responsibility to ensure that UNICAL continued to shine for generations to come.
“This may be through our continued support, whether it be through mentoring current students, contributing to scholarships or participating in university initiatives, so we can make a lasting impact.
“This is a chance to reflect on the journey we have undertaken since leaving the Malabo Republic and to consider how we can continue to contribute to the growth and success of our university,” he said.
Onyenuche said that the summit would also delve into how younger generations could leverage older generations to enhance results in any given sphere of life.(NAN)