Sanwo-Olu, Adebutu Reiterate Commitment to Youth Leadership
Sanwo-Olu, Adebutu Reiterate Commitment to Youth Leadership
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; renowned industrialist, Chief Kesington Adebutu; and First Bank CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu, have reaffirmed their dedication to youth empowerment and leadership development.
Their commitment was highlighted as over 3,000 young people from across Nigeria convened in Lagos for the seventh Ambassadors Summit to chart pathways for youth development and leadership advancement.
Represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Establishment and Training, Oluwatoyin Atanda, Sanwo-Olu pledged that his administration would continue to drive youth-focused initiatives. “We will keep supporting every effort and investment in our young people. They are the future,” he assured.
The governor emphasised that empowering young people must remain at the heart of national planning, noting that Lagos would continue to prioritise education, skills acquisition, and leadership programmes.
Adebutu, the sponsor of the summit, urged young Nigerians to embrace discipline, vision, and service in their pursuit of leadership. The industrialist, represented by his daughter, Abiola Olorede, called for deeper youth involvement in nation-building. “Strength is not defined by mere numbers or physical vigour. True strength lies in vision, discipline, courage, and wisdom. In all you do, let service to humanity be at the heart of your ambition,” Adebutu said.
He stressed that wealth only becomes meaningful when used for the greater good.
Highlighting the key lessons her father instilled in her to navigate through life, Olorede said, “Your word is your bond, and people should know what you represent. He also emphasised the value of hard work, because failure is inevitable, but you must learn from it.
He taught me to always have a vision and believe in myself, to practice financial discipline because you can’t get far in life without it, and above all, never to forget the God factor.”
Delivering the keynote address titled “Leading through Financial Uncertainty: Strategies for Sustaining Growth in Turbulent Times,” First Bank CEO, Olusegun Alebiosu, urged participants to sharpen their skills, resist herd mentality, and build resilience.
“The most important factor of production in the 21st century is finance. To succeed, you must understand the dynamics of finance, invest in assets, strengthen your resilience, improve your skills, and above all, seek God’s guidance,” he said.
Convener of the summit and CEO of Amborion Consulting, Joshua Oyeniyi, described the event as a transformative platform for capacity building, networking, and leadership renewal.
“This gathering marks a major milestone in our shared mission to advance youth development and prepare more young people for leadership and nation-building. Our theme this year, SURGE—Strategic Leadership for Turning Challenges into Opportunities, is not just a slogan but a clarion call for this season.
“In a world facing unprecedented challenges, true leadership means turning adversity into opportunities for growth. This summit equips you with practical tools for strategic decision-making, adaptive leadership, and innovation. It also offers valuable networking opportunities that will expand your influence across Nigeria and beyond.
“My hope is that this summit serves as a catalyst for groundbreaking achievements in your leadership journey and a deeper awakening to your ability to create opportunities for yourself and others,” he added.
Other dignitaries in attendance included the Minister of Youth, Ayodele Olawande; Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo; wife of the Lagos State Governor, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Ayodele Ogunsan; Amazon U.S.A Product Manager, Ahmed Ogundimu; and American Airlines Business Manager, Itunu Taiwo, among others.
