AKINWALE ABOLUWADE
The DOHAL Foundation has called on African youths to take active roles in politics, governance and leadership, stressing that their participation is critical to addressing the continent’s development challenges.
Guest Speaker at the Foundation Day Annual Public Enlightenment Lecture 2026, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, made the call while delivering a lecture entitled ‘Why African Youth Must Get Involved in Politics’ at the Auditorium of Precious Cornerstone University, Campus 1, Garden of Victory, Old Ife Road, Ibadan.
Pastor Emmanuel, who spoke on the challenges confronting the African child, identified poverty, hunger, inadequate access to education and bad leadership as some of the factors undermining the development of young people across the continent.
He noted that uninformed citizens were more vulnerable to manipulation, urging Nigerian youths to move beyond participating in elections as voters and aspire to become decision-makers in the country’s political and governance structures.
According to him, Africa needs young legislators, entrepreneurs and other professionals who are willing to contribute their expertise to public service and national development.
He observed that sometimes, individuals who identify and expose gaps in society contribute more to development than those occupying political offices.
On the role of the church in preparing young people for leadership, Pastor Emmanuel acknowledged that religious institutions were making efforts but stressed the need to do more in equipping youths for future responsibilities.
He encouraged young people to aspire to leadership in all spheres of life, noting that they possess the energy, technological skills and educational opportunities needed to make meaningful contributions to society.
Citing the biblical injunction that no one should despise their youth, he urged them to develop their capacities and position themselves for leadership opportunities.
The guest speaker also reminded politicians that political leadership was a public trust which must not be betrayed, adding that those entrusted with authority would ultimately account to God for their stewardship.
He urged political office holders to prioritise the welfare of the people and national development above personal interests.
While expressing concern over the plight of Nigerian youths, Pastor Emmanuel warned against the recruitment of young people into criminal activities, political thuggery and other forms of violence.
He stressed that the country could not afford to lose its young people needlessly, urging them instead to deploy their creative abilities and intelligence towards nation-building and the advancement of humanity.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and African Union Ambassador for Political Affairs, Pastor Akin Akinpelu, said the African Union remained committed to building a prosperous, integrated and powerful continent.
He noted that Nigeria and Africa were waiting for young people to take up their responsibilities in driving development, but emphasised that leadership opportunities would not automatically come to them simply because they were young.
Drawing from his personal experience of growing up under difficult circumstances, Pastor Akinpelu said resilience, hard work, proper preparation and determination were necessary for young people to overcome challenges and compete favourably on the global stage. He maintained that youths must develop the capacity to take responsibility rather than expect power to be handed over to them on sentimental grounds.
In his remarks, the Founder of DOHAL Foundation, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, expressed fulfilment over the foundation’s efforts in helping young people become entrepreneurs and achieve economic independence.
The event also featured testimonies from beneficiaries of the foundation’s entrepreneurship empowerment scheme.
One of the beneficiaries, Alobo Emmanuel Adebayo of Hephzibah Farms and Animal Health, explained how the one hundred thousand naira grant he received in 2024 helped him expand his poultry and gardening business.
Another beneficiary, Titiloye Olugbenga Gideon of Kings Farm, said the grant enabled him to actualise his long-standing ambition of establishing a piggery business through the acquisition of a quarter plot of land.
The foundation disclosed that 40 young people received one hundred thousand naira each in 2024, while 14 beneficiaries submitted reports on the progress of their businesses.
Of the 14, seven beneficiaries with verified progress reports were selected for further empowerment, receiving additional grants of two hundred and fifty thousand naira each at this year’s event.
They include Alobo Emmanuel, Titiloye Olugbenga, Adekunle Dara, Olaoye Anuoluwa, Omotosho Grace, Ajetunmobi Fiyin and Opayinka Seun.
In separate goodwill messages, representatives of the Oyo State Commissioners for Science and Technology and Women Affairs commended the foundation for its commitment to youth development.
The representative of the Commissioner for Science and Technology described the lecture theme as timely and significant, noting that young people were not merely leaders of tomorrow but also had important roles to play in present-day societal development.
The Vice-Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University recalled that DOHAL Foundation was established following the heartbreaking loss of a young lady, Dorcas Oke, more than two decades ago.
He said the foundation had since made remarkable contributions to the lives of many African youths.
The Chairman of the Foundation, Bishop Theologian of the Anglican Church, Dapo Asaju, also commended the founders, reaffirming the foundation’s commitment to investing in young people and preparing them for leadership and nation-building.
In her remarks, the Co-Founder, Reverend Mrs Tokunbo Oke, expressed delight at the impact of the initiative and called for greater partnerships to expand its reach and improve the lives of more African children.
The programme was attended by students from Excellent Academy, Blossom Academy, Urban Day Grammar School, Saint Louis Grammar School and Christ Life School, among others.
The DOHAL Foundation was established more than two decades ago following the death of Dorcas Oke, a young lady who passed away after a brief illness.
Her death, which was described as a heartbreaking loss by the Vice-Chancellor of Precious Cornerstone University, became the inspiration for an initiative aimed at improving the lives of African children and empowering young people to become self-reliant.
Since its establishment, the foundation has continued to invest in youth development through entrepreneurship support, education and public enlightenment programmes.
