‘Youths must be nurtured to promote good leadership, development’

As group honours Akintola Williams at 100th birthday

President of the Nigeria-Britain Association, Shola Tinubu, has lamented the negative influence of the society on youths. Tinubu said while the children at a young age are very intelligent and creative, things turn around when they become adults.

“From my interaction with the children, I found out that they have high values and ideas compared to our current leaders so we need to see how we can safeguard them from the society and support their ideas including development,” he stated.He spoke at the 3rd annual Akintola Williams youth debate organised by the Nigeria-Britain Association (NBA) in collaboration with the Association of International Schools’ Educators in Nigeria (AISEN).

Tinubu, who is NBA president lamented the situation where society has played a major role in dampening the productivity of children, especially when they become youths.“While young, they are very intelligent and creative but when they turn adults, everything changes and you begin to wonder what went wrong.

The debate, which took place at the British Council office, Ikoyi was in commemoration of the 100th birthday celebration of the esteemed Patron, Pa Akintola Williams and it featured schools across the nation. Tinubu explained that the event was aimed at promoting critical thinking and articulate speech among young people.

He added that everyone could do better and leave a mark in the society no matter the age. Also speaking, the vice president of Nigeria-Britain Association, Steven Forbes stated that two senior students from the competition would be granted internship opportunity in other to give them proper exposure.

The finals saw Riverbank School, Lead-Forte Gate College, Treasure House School, Corona School, Supreme Education Foundation Schools, and Meadow Hall College compete at different categories (junior, middle and senior).