In a bold initiative to strengthen leadership among Nigeria’s youth, the Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI) has entered a strategic partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to establish leadership development centres nationwide. The move, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), aims to equip young Nigerians with the ethical foundation and leadership skills needed to navigate and transform a nation facing numerous socio-economic challenges.
The announcement was made in Abuja by GOTNI Founder, Dr. Linus Okorie, during the official presentation of Miss Remarkable Akpan as the organisation’s new Executive Director. Dr. Okorie stressed the importance of cultivating visionary leaders, stating, “Our goal is to instil integrity, purpose, and excellence in the next generation of leaders who will shape Nigeria’s future.”
Miss Akpan, who emerged as Executive Director following a comprehensive selection process that began in August 2024, brings a wealth of grassroots experience. A changemaker since the age of 15, she founded the Mary Remarkable Foundation, which has championed education and humanitarian aid for underserved communities. Among her notable efforts is the provision of a borehole in Edonwik Village, Akwa Ibom State, offering access to clean water for over 300 people—a first in decades.
Speaking at the unveiling, Akpan underscored the importance of cultivating ethical leadership from within. “My goal is to inspire a new generation of young people who can think proactively and intentionally about how they can position themselves as problem-solvers across various sectors,” she said.
In a related development, the Director General of the NYSC, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has called for increased support for corps members in the areas of entrepreneurial training, mentorship, and funding access. Speaking at the Stakeholders’ Meeting on Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre in Abuja, Nafiu—represented by Dr. Ahmed Wada Ikaka, Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics—highlighted the need for actionable support that translates vocational training into real-world business ownership.
“The disparity between the number of corps members trained and those who actually become entrepreneurs is significant,” he noted, urging stakeholders to offer practical solutions and innovative ideas to boost the SAED programme’s effectiveness.
The developments signal a growing recognition of youth empowerment as essential to Nigeria’s future, combining leadership training with entrepreneurship as a dual path to national development.
