PLO LUMUMBA COMMENDS VICTOR CLETUS, IIYM ORGANISERS FOR YOUTH LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
As Dele Momodu Urges Youths to Pursue Leadership, Says Capacity Matters More Than Age
Renowned Pan-African scholar, Prof. P.L.O. Lumumba, has commended Victor Cletus Mfon and other organisers of the 9th Impact Leadership Conference and Awards 2026 for promoting youth mentorship and leadership development in Nigeria.
Lumumba, Grand Patron of the Impact Initiative for Youth Mentorship (IIYM), gave the commendation while addressing participants virtually at the conference held on October 3 at Oriental Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The conference, themed “Reimagining Nigeria: Youth Leadership, Governance and National Greatness,” brought together speakers who challenged young Nigerians to build their leadership capacity, uphold integrity and participate actively in governance and national development.
Lumumba, who described Cletus Mfon and Betty Jobando as his mentees, emphasised the importance of sustained mentorship in preparing young Africans to take responsibility for the continent’s future.
Delivering the keynote address, veteran journalist and media entrepreneur, Chief Dele Momodu, urged young Nigerians not to allow age, setbacks or the challenges of the political environment to discourage them from aspiring to leadership.
“It does not matter whether you are old or young. If you have the capacity to run, please run,” Momodu said.
He noted that opportunities for young people to make an impact extended beyond politics to business, technology, agriculture and other sectors, stressing that capacity, resilience and access to resources were critical to success.
Momodu also identified funding as a major challenge facing young entrepreneurs and professionals, commending IIYM for providing a platform dedicated to mentorship and youth development.
The Founder and Convener of IIYM, Victor Cletus Mfon, said the initiative was established to equip young people with practical leadership lessons, mentorship and opportunities to prepare them for positions of responsibility and influence.
Also speaking, HRM Oba Peter Oluwole Ipadeola Akinyooye III, urged Nigerians to take responsibility for shaping the country’s future rather than waiting for change to come from elsewhere.
“We have to take our lives into our own hands. We have to do the right thing at the right time to shape Nigeria and put Nigeria on the pedestal of greatness,” he said.
Guest speaker, Amb. Emmy Kosgei Madubuko, spoke on purpose, leadership and personal responsibility, encouraging young people to identify their gifts, develop their abilities and use them to make a positive impact.
Dr. David Assogba stressed that attaining a position of influence was only one aspect of leadership, noting that character, integrity and competence were essential to sustaining influence and achieving meaningful results.
Another guest speaker, Toyin Bakare, challenged young Nigerians to recognise their responsibility in the development of the country and contribute to building a better future.
