•••youths are the architects of their own future, says Hakeem Shagaya
Yesterday, 22nd January, 2022, the University of Ilorin Students Union welcomed as Special Guest of Honour and presented an award of Excellence to the CEO and Managing Director, Karmod Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Hakeem Shagaya.
The Erudite Journal of Leadership and Development (EJLD), an annual publication of Students Union, University of Ilorin was staged in Honour of Rt. Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Alhaji Hakeem Shagaya graced the popular event as the Special Guest of Honour and he was coveted with the award at the “2022 Student’s Union Leadership Summit and the launching of the 8th Edition of Erudite Journal of Leadership and Development” (EJLD) at the University of Ilorin Auditorium.
While addressing the students and the attendees, the CEO and Managing Director, Karmod Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Hakeem Shagaya, called on youths to become the architects of their own future by showing more interests in the political development in Nigeria and participate actively in the political leadership selection process.
“Sitting on the fence when things are going wrong in the nation amounts to a tacit endorsement of bad leadership and continuous rape and underdevelopment of the nation. Nigeria belongs to all her citizens. And the right for citizens to participate in the governance process or selection of those that should genuinely represent their interests in leadership positions, in a democratic government at all levels, is guaranteed by the constitution,” he said.
Shagaya also registered his voice as Panelist, “standing aloof or grumbling in one’s private space, or on the social media about the ills of successive governments, without taking any legitimate, realistic steps, aimed at reordering the patterns of events that are contrary to the will of the people, makes one complicit in the continuing failure of leadership in our land. It is imperative to note that your singular vote can make a difference in the choice of who represents you as a councilor, local government chairman, at the House of Assembly, National Assembly, governor or at the highest level, the presidency. But without a valid voter’s card, automatically you make yourself irrelevant in performing this very important constitutionally given right.”
In an event attended high profile personalities across the country, viz a viz; The Emir of Ilorin, Alh Ibrahim Sulu Gambari ably represented by the Balogun Gambari of Ilorin; the Oluwo of Iwo Land, Oba AbdulRasheed Akanbi; Vice Chancellor of University of Ilorin, Prof. Sulyman Age ably represented by the Deen Students Affairs; Senator Ibrahim Yahaya Oloriegbe ably represented by Mallam Bolaji Aladie; Mallam AbdulAzeez Yinka Oniyangi amongst others. Shagaya called on all Nigerians of voting age, who had not yet registered as a voter to take “the important step of making themselves eligible for voting in the coming elections by taking advantage of the ongoing Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) voters registration exercise, as our vote is not only our power but our life, in a way.
According to Shagaya whose objective is given as advocacy for “transparent, purposeful leadership, ethical reorientation, peace and uplifting of humanity”, a well utilised electoral vote will give the electorate the “power to not only design the future they desire but also help in shaping a Nigeria of their dreams. As citizens begin the process of surviving the problems of unemployment, insecurity, poor healthcare delivery, infrastructure decay among others by using their votes wisely.”
Following Alhaji Hakeem Shagaya to the event are; The Director General of Salmon Shagaya Foundation, Alhaji Mufutau Akanbi Oke; The Director of Mobilization of Salmon Shagaya Foundation, Alhaji AbdulRaheem Eshe; the Kwara Central Coordinator of Sheriff Shagaya Movement, Comrade Babatunde Sikirullah Ayinde; the Director of Media and Publicity of Sheriff Shagaya Movement, Basheer Luqman; the Directors of General Duties and Special Duties, Mr. Kola Salman and Mr. Abdulrasaq Arogunmosa respectfully; Women Leaders of Sheriff Shagaya Movement amongst others.
