From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
Nigerians have been urged to deliberately invest time and resources in mentoring young people in character building and entrepreneurship as a pathway to raising responsible citizens and securing the nation’s future.
The call was made by the Dean, Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences, University of Ilorin, Professor Sa’udat Salah-Abdulbaqi, at the public presentation of the book, Kuliya of Ilorin: A Life of Purpose, and the unveiling of the Kuliyan Gari of Ilorin Emirate’s National Youth Mentorship Summit, at Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State.
Professor Abdulbaqi described mentorship as a purposeful process of guidance that equips young people with the right values and skills needed to thrive in society.
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“Mentorship is not accidental; it is a deliberate effort to guide the youth towards becoming responsible members of society,” she said, adding that “when we invest in mentoring our youth today, we are investing in the future of our nation.”
She noted that effective mentorship begins from the home, where young people are prepared mentally and morally for future responsibilities.
According to her, modern digital platforms can also be leveraged to enrol youths into mentorship programmes, employment opportunities and entrepreneurial training.
The university don urged young people to appreciate mentorship initiatives made available to them, describing such efforts as acts of charity and selfless service.
She further challenged the youth to cultivate a habit of giving back to society, no matter how small the contribution. “Everyone has something to give. Our little efforts can make life better for the less privileged,” she said.
Speaking at the event, the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, expressed happiness over the presentation of a book focused on mentoring and purposeful living.
He said the publication would serve as a valuable guide for young people on proper conduct and societal values.
In his review of the book, the General Manager of Gari FM, Ilorin, Barrister Mahmud Abdulraheem, described the presentation as timely, noting that the subject of the book had made significant contributions to societal growth and development.
“The life being examined in this book is one marked by service and positive impact, and there are lessons for everyone,” he said.
The Kuliyan Gari of Ilorin, Yusuf Olaolu-Ali, SAN, in his remarks, said every human being has a divine purpose, stressing that the line between good and bad conduct is often very thin.
He advised individuals to consciously contribute their quota to the growth and development of society, noting that collective efforts remain key to national progress.
Earlier, the author of the book and former National Auditor and Kwara State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mallam Biodun Abdulkareem, said he was inspired to write the book by the exemplary character and philosophical outlook of the awardee.
According to him, the book is aimed at rekindling the spirit of doing good and living purposefully among members of the public.
