The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Mudashiru Obasa has called on Nigerian youths to come up with innovations and new ideas to address the pangs of poverty and unemployment in the country.
The Speaker gave this charge while receiving an award of Exemplary Leadership conferred on him by the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) in his office, Alausa Ikeja.
Obasa explained that with what the students had demonstrated, all hope was not lost, saying Nigerian youths were capable of taking over from the old generation by displaying good leadership qualities.
According to him, “I can say boldly, with what I’m seeing that our youths are ready to take over. We all want good leaders for Nigeria, we don’t want a country where only the rich will have their way and others do not.
“We want people with ideas, you must be innovative, you must have administrative ideas, you have to look inwards and bring out what others would have to embrace, with government’s support, we can eradicate unemployment and poverty,” the Speaker said.
He, however, urged the students to desist from tendencies that were encouraging factionalization in the students Union, saying that was the only way to build institutions.
While appreciating the association for conferring him with exemplary leadership award, Obasa maintained that it would be appropriate if the students continue to demonstrate sound leadership characters at all times.
The leader of the delegation, Luqman Salahudeen stated that NAPS decided to honour Lagos Speaker because of his style of leadership in the State.
Salahudeen who is the first Nigerian student to head the West African Polytechnic Union, explains that the Speaker had been piloting the affairs of Lagos Assembly without rancour or acrimony.
He noted that even though NAPS could not give the activities of the Lagos House in totality, the developments in some other legislative bodies in other state Houses of Assemblies where “speakers were being substituted like a football match,” members of the students Union were convinced with legislative duties in Lagos state.
“We appreciate your leadership, may be those (other Houses) who do not coordinate themselves can learn from you. Nigerian students are upcoming generation, we are very jealous of your achievements,” Salahudeen said.
Also speaking, the facilitator of the award, Abgabiaka Ahmed said the Speaker who is a fourth term member of the House had been part of the successes recorded in the House.
He argued that what was exceptional about Obasa was his belief in the youths, saying he had been supporting the youths in his constituency.
According to Ahmed, “If you say Lagos House of Assembly is worthy of emulation, the Speaker has been part of the team that makes it happens. Apart from the mighty edifice, I read in the news the kind of encouragement you give to the youths to grow politically.”
While giving the vote of thanks, the Deputy Majority Leader, Hon. Muyiwa Jimoh told the delegation that the Speaker run an open door policy, adding that the Speaker would create a special desk that would be in charge of attending to issues concerning youths.
He also expressed appreciation for the award conferred on the Speaker, adding that Lagos House of Assembly would continue to support the youths.