A specialist in youth
development, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura has identified leadership and entrepreneurship as key factors to consider in youth development aimed at national development.
Dr Lebura, who stated this in a keynote speech at the 2016 “Youth Lead Africa Project”, held at Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), stated that leadership is one phenomena that has been greatly misconstrued.
“Leadership is a concept that we know so much about as a people theoretically, but would hardly imbibed practically, especially because we mistake it to mean position,” he said.
In his paper titled “The Role of Youth in National Development,” Lebura said Leadership “is all about responsibility and accountability based on her understanding of our personal span of influence.
“It is not about being seen, but making impact and such impact being felt by the people that we come in contact with on a daily basis,” he said.
He emphasised that every opportunity one gets to make contribution should be taken with utmost regard and responsibility with the consciousness that every minute of the day would be accounted for some day.
On entrepreneurship, Lebura said it can transform Nigeria, but that the culture of entrepreneurship must first be imbibed by everyone.
“Entrepreneurship is another trending word that could easily transform the fortunes and status of this country, if properly imbibed by everyone, especially the called,” he said.
According to him,” the called” in this context means those who have the capacity to become entrepreneurships, either innate or acquired.
While thanking the school authority for giving the opportunity to host the event, the Student Union Government (SUG) president, Miss Nnah Faith Barigboto, noted that excellence in education goes beyond academics.
According to her it becomes of essence only when it is geared towards empowering the students in leadership and entrepreneurship threats.
In his speech, Ag Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Blessing Didia thanked the students for the Youth-lead Africa Project initiative, which he said, is innovative.
The Ag Vice Chancellor, who was represented by his Special Assistant, Mr Sydney Enyindah, assured the students that the school authority will give them necessary support, as long as they abide by the rules and regulations of the institution.
The event was organised by the SUG of RSUST for its members.

Sogbeba Dokubo