Over 2,500 Ogun students gather for future leaders assembly

More than 2,500 secondary school students from across Ogun State converged on Mowe for the 2026 Future Leaders Assembly, a youth leadership and civic engagement programme organised by the Dare Adeboye Foundation in partnership with the state government.

The event, held at the Youth Centre in Redemption City, drew students from over 150 schools, along with teachers, policymakers, and youth development advocates to discuss leadership, innovation, and citizenship.

Organisers said the assembly, themed “Think Global, Act Local: Raising the Next Generation of Leaders,” was aimed at equipping young people with leadership skills and exposing them to governance, diplomacy, and problem-solving.

A key highlight was the second edition of the Ogun State Secondary School Model United Nations, where students debated national and global issues such as unemployment, education, and workforce readiness in a digital economy.

The Permanent Secretary in the Ogun State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, Oluwatosin Oloko, said young people must be equipped with the knowledge and values to tackle emerging challenges. She noted that the Model UN exposed students to diplomacy, teamwork, negotiation, and conflict resolution, describing it as vital for preparing future leaders.

She added that leadership begins with everyday actions like integrity, discipline, compassion, hard work, and excellence, and that the future belongs to those who can think beyond their immediate environment while contributing positively to their communities.

Oloko reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to education and youth programmes under Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration.

A board member of the foundation, Temiloluwa Adeboye, said the assembly was created to inspire critical thinking, innovation, and responsible leadership among young people.

The event also featured the Global Voice Challenge, a public speaking competition on how young people can shape Nigeria’s future in a global world. Twelve finalists selected through essay submissions delivered speeches before a panel of judges.

Victor Oluwadamilare emerged as overall winner, receiving a N300,000 scholarship award. Balikis Otunuga took first runner-up with N200,000, while Ambassador Oreooluwa got N100,000 as second runner-up.

Participants also took part in a nation-building workshop and a “President for a Day” simulation exercise to strengthen public speaking, civic awareness, and leadership skills.

The Dare Adeboye Foundation said the initiative is part of its efforts to raise a generation of young Nigerians equipped to contribute to community development, national growth, and global engagement.