The conference, which held at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, attracted Yewa youths from across the country and in the diaspora, who brainstormed on the socio-economic development of the area and the expected roles of the youth leaders.
Head of Social Performance, Dangote Cement Ibese, Mr. Ademola Ojolowo said that the company partnered the Youth Association and sponsored some Yewa youths to the conference because of its recognised need for continued empowerment of the youths with up-to-date information and social network required for the present socio-economic situation in the country.
He disclosed that no fewer than 37 youths from the host communities were sponsored by the company from their bases across the country, with all expenses paid.
According to him, this is “because we believe knowledge is power and more informed the youths the better for the society.”
Ojolowo added: “Youth leadership training is of paramount importance to the management of Dangote Cement given the state of economic uncertainty and social challenges bedevilling the nation now. How are you playing to your strengths, mobilising your team, steering organisational change and restoring confidence in these challenging times is what the conference is all about and that is why we took keen interest in it.”
He explained that the company has executed various empowerment programmes in the mould of vocational training with start-up kits with the underlining philosophy that formal education is no longer enough for stable future for youth but additional vocational training so that the youths of the area can be self-employed gainfully and be useful to themselves and the society at large.
With the theme ‘Empowering Youth: Leadership, Civic Engagement & Active Citizenship’, engaging sessions were held on building youth capacity for effective participation in local governance and community development, opportunities and prospects for community development through active citizenship, building resilient businesses and strategies for overcoming challenges, at the conference.
A session on ‘Border Dialogue for peace and youth empowerment in Yewaland’ held on the last day, with speakers and panellists drawn from the Industry, Academia, Government, and Civil Society. Chairman of Dangote Cement, Ibese Youth Assembly and a representative of Ibese Community at the Conference, Mr. Ajayi Idowu, commended the management of Dangote Cement Plc for sponsoring host youths to the conference, while underscoring the importance of such an educative conference for the youths to continued peaceful co-existence with the Plant.
A Youth representative of Ijako Orile, Prince Ewedairo David said: “The Conference was an eye-opener for us, and the event has brought about a paradigm shift in our perception, especially on the common misplaced parlance among the youths that education is a scam. “Personally, I have come to realise that good education is required to maximise effectiveness of natural talents, and I promise to cascade key lessons from the conference to other youths in my community.”
President, Yewa Youth Association (YYA), Jabar Ayelaagbe, commended Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant for supporting the Conference and pledged that the Association is committed to redefining youth engagement in Yewaland for inclusiveness and socio-economic development.
The community leader promised that the Yewa youths would work with the management of Dangote Cement to sustain the prevailing peace and tranquillity, pointing out that no development can come from an atmosphere of violence and business disruption.