Otti: Grooming Young Minds Into Leaders Of Tomorrow

EBERE UZOUKWA, PhD

“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” – Ralph Nader

Leadership has always defined the fate of societies. Nations rise and fall not merely by the abundance of resources but by the quality of their leaders. True leadership goes beyond occupying positions of authority. It is about influencing change, inspiring hope, and creating pathways for others to thrive. The essence of leadership therefore is not confined to today but to the future, moulding young minds who will step into tomorrow with vision, courage, and values.

This is why deliberate investment in youth leadership is not a luxury but a necessity. When young people are nurtured, mentored, and empowered, they carry with them the ideals that safeguard societies from collapse. It is in this light that Governor Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, has charted a bold path in Abia State by establishing the Abia Leadership Academy, a visionary initiative designed to groom young Abians into transformational leaders.

The Academy, which just graduated its pioneer cohort of 250 participants aged between 16 and 20, is more than a programme, it is a movement. In his address titled “A New Pedestal”, Governor Otti reaffirmed his commitment to building future leaders who would uphold values of empathy, integrity, and neighbourliness, describing the initiative as a conscious step to redirect the psyche and mental energy of the younger generation. “We are committed to getting it right with the younger generation. Otherwise, our wider development efforts will be in jeopardy,” he declared.

The week-long training immersed participants in leadership lessons, critical thinking, and futuristic visioning, with each group tasked to imagine Abia in 2045. It was designed not to inflate egos but to elevate visions, preparing these young leaders to think beyond self and focus on community, innovation, and service. Pastor Eno Jerry-Eze, a member of the Academy’s organizing committee, aptly described the initiative as epochal, emphasizing that Abia is not just producing graduates but raising a critical mass of young leaders who believe that change is possible and who are equipped to drive it.

The brilliance of the Abia Leadership Academy lies in its timing. At ages 16 to 20, participants are at a formative stage where values, discipline, and vision can be most effectively instilled. Training them in ethics, innovation, and problem-solving at this stage ensures that they will not only excel individually but also lead responsibly in the future. Participants themselves testified that the experience was life-changing, boosting their confidence, sharpening their thinking, and inspiring them to contribute meaningfully to society. With the Governor’s plan to expand the training to thousands of young people and to send graduates into schools and institutions to mentor others, the Academy is set to ignite a ripple effect of leadership across the state.

Governor Otti’s commitment to grooming leaders is not in isolation. His broader vision for Abia includes reviving industries such as the recently announced acquisition of Star Paper Mill, once the state’s largest employer. By combining economic renewal with human capital development, Otti is laying the foundation for a self-sustaining future where visionary leadership and enterprise go hand in hand.

The Abia Leadership Academy therefore represents a bold departure from the old order. It is a deliberate attempt to ensure that tomorrow’s leaders are not products of chance but of conscious grooming. By catching them young, Governor Otti is sowing seeds of leadership that will blossom across sectors, producing not just professionals but leaders of thought, policy, and innovation. In the years to come, Abia will be recognized not only for its resilience but also for producing men and women who, having been trained early, carry with them the torch of transformational leadership.

Indeed, leadership is about tomorrow, and with Governor Otti’s vision, the tomorrow of Abia and Nigeria is already being shaped today.

– Dr. Ebere Uzoukwa is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Public Affairs.