Feature: An evening with Kwara's future

By Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha

I had the privilege of hanging out with no fewer than 80 vibrant, enterprising, highly cerebra and intellectually mobile selected young Kwarans yesterday (Sunday), the ambience was electrifying.

It was initially meant to create a platform for our teaming youth to interact, network and above all get the needed push, it however ended up opening my eyes to the abundance of untapped goldmine and economic potentials which ironically is not buried beneath, rather it lays idle on the surface. 

I believe very sincerely that if what I saw in those young Kwarans is what we reflect as a people, there is a great hope of better future for Kwara state. 

The attendees cut across all spheres of life from students, academics, entertainers, cinematographers, agriprenuers, tech guys, online media practitioners among others.

Surprisingly, as I learnt during the interaction, that it was arguably the first time such a gathering will bring them all together in that kind of convivial atmosphere, I then wonder what could have been, had there been a platform to genuinely harmonise, harvest, polish and unleash their individual and collective potentials, filled with positive adrenaline.

I understand, from our interactions that a number of them struggling to thrive in their area of interest are confronted with several challenges, which to me, are not peculiar to Kwara youths alone and if we allow such challenge (s) to weigh us down, it is not real but amounts to mere 'excuse'; perhaps, challenges are those critical preconditions for sustainable success and greatness.  

I encourage them all to do a soul search and think about extending our horizons to the global front. We must think beyond Ilorin, Kwara state or Nigeria, the urge to be global competitor will inspire us to offer values that are not only outstanding on the local front, but comparatively on same pedestal or better off values accessible elsewhere. 

This cannot be achieved without necessary information, skills, mentorship, support, and collaborations. 

On my part, I have vowed to henceforth at intervals hangout, engage, mentor, encourage and push the Kwara youth to success in my own little way.

In the next couple of weeks, my team and I, will come up with strategic and realistic steps to concretize the takeaways from the historic and unforgettable hangout.

Thanks to all that made it possible and especially to the attendees for widening my intellectual horizon and once again reassuring me that indeed the future of Kwara is secured and in safe hands.

Mal .Lukman Olayiwola Mustapha is the

Chairman BoT, Sobi 101.9FM, and the

Rebirth Captain for Kwara Rebirth Forum