Youths have been advised to be focused in their choice of career as well as get good mentors that will help them realise their dreams.
Various speakers gave the advice at the annual I.N.V.E.N.T (Inspiring Nigeria's Vanguard of Exceptionally Noble Talents) leadership summit and mentorship programme, which held at De-Hall Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos at the weekend.
The event, which was organised by Elderberry Integrated Resources Limited in collaboration with the First Bank Nigeria Plc, was graced by students from various secondary schools in Lagos State.
One of the speakers, Mr. Biodun Shabiolegbe, a human resources expert, cautioned the students not to listen to those who ask them to work smart but not hard, adding "everything in life has its stage; one has to first learn to work hard before one can work smart."
He maintained that character is a critical factor to one's competence, even as he asked them to be focussed and know what they want to become in life.
President of Elderberry Integrated Resources Limited, Mr. Elijah Olupona urged the students to make good mentors that will inspire them.
Olupona told the students to limit the time they spend on social networks as they consume much of their time and are academic distracters.
He also gave out the Facebook site of the I.N.V.E.N.T programme and warned that anyone added to the site who dresses indecently would immediately be disassociated from the site.
Similarly , Senior Associate, Banwo & Ighodalo, Mrs. Seyi Bella, gave a stimulating talk, urging participants to make good friends that will motivate them, stressing that they should not hold on to tradition if they intend to go far in life.
In an interview with Young & Next Generation, Mr. Okoro Francis, who is a teacher at The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Orishingun, Ketu, said he appreciated the efforts of the organisers and the essence of bringing the students to such programmes were quite enormous.
He said that the objective of the school was to groom the students in diversified areas so that they would not be found wanting in any field.
Aliu Lawal, a student who expressed gratitude to the organisers, said she learnt a lot concerning vision, planning and character building.
In an interview with the press, Olupona said that the programme was aimed at making the youths become better and responsible leaders. He said it targets all schools approved by the Lagos State government, especially the senior secondary schools.
National Mirror