Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has commended Prof. Steve Azaiki, a member representing Yenagoa-Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, over his efforts towards human capacity development in the state and beyond.
Dickson, while declaring open a two-day leadership training and enterprise programme organised by Azaiki, in collaboration with GOTNI Leadership Institute (Centre), in Jabi, Abuja, stated that empowering youths to be future leaders, a challenge Azaiki is passionate about, would be of immense benefits to the individual, the state and society at large.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, called on other individuals and organisations to contribute their quota to manpower and entrepreneurship development. The training, which had participants from Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency, as well as other Bayelsans from different walks of life, was aimed at empowering the attendees with vital knowledge and skills for effective leadership in their various personal endeavours, organisational settings and for the good of society.
Sponsor of the programme, Azaiki, disclosed that it was part of giving back to society, as he had been doing within and outside Bayelsa State over the years, adding that human capacity building at his personal cost was one of the promises he made to his constituents, assuring that more of such programmes would be done in the future, locally and abroad.
He acknowledged that youths from his constituency and the state had the potential to aspire to any height in life by dint of hard work and if given necessary support by leaders.
The former secretary to the Bayelsa State Government advised youths against preference for momentary cash handouts from leaders, urging them rather to seek support for personal development in order to be self-reliant.
Speaking on ‘The Challenge of Leadership in Nigeria,’ said: “I have always considered it necessary to contribute to knowledge and human development, as exemplified by many of my publications, establishment of the Azaiki Public Library, sponsorship of conferences, scholarship awards to deserving persons and active involvement in state and national service.
“These are more so as education, knowledge and experience are useful for effective leadership in Nigeria and Africa.” He lamented that the plethora of problems confronting Nigeria appears insurmountable despite the eggheads that abound, as there were sound academics and technocrats who could be of help, but the system of leadership and governance had emasculated them.