“Power Is Not Given, You Take It”: Civic Voices Rise in Ibadan Leadership Summit

Civic stakeholders, thought leaders, and youth advocates have called for a reinvention of Nigeria’s leadership culture through intentional mentorship and inclusive governance. In a city known for its intellectual legacy and political depth, a new chapter of civic awakening unfolded today at the American Corner, Jericho, Ibadan, where veteran statesmen and young changemakers convened for a high-level forum themed: “Governance and Mentorship: A Pathway to Sustainable Leadership.”

The forum, convened by Chief Solomon Adewole, who also marked his birthday at the event featured a robust lineup of speakers including cultural historian Oloye Lekan Alabi, Veteran journalist, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole, former Oyo State lawmaker Hon. Seyi Adisa, governance strategist Bayonle Fesobi, public affairs analyst, Prince Adeyemo Adedeji, youth parliamentarian Temiloluwa Oyeniyi, and leadership advocate Kawthar Salahudeen.

In his welcome address, Chief Solomon Adewole emphasized the urgency of equipping young people with the tools and mentorship needed to step into leadership. “This gathering is not just a talkshop, it’s a declaration. We cannot afford to remain spectators while the destiny of our nation is determined without us. This is the time for young people to rise, not in noise, but in knowledge and action.”

Delivering the keynote speech, Mogaji Soladoye Adewole set the tone by underlining the role of intergenerational collaboration. “Governance is not the inheritance of the old alone; it is the duty of the prepared. If we do not teach the young how to lead, we cannot blame them when they misgovern.”

Oloye Lekan Alabi, in his signature style, transported the audience through Nigeria’s pre-colonial traditions of leadership. “There are role models and there are mentors,” he said. “Role models inspire from afar, but mentors walk with you. In our culture, governance was a sacred trust, built on wisdom, responsibility, and respect. We must return to those roots while modernizing our approach.”

Hon. Seyi Adisa emphasized that mentorship is not a title but a process. “It takes frequent dialogue, accessibility, and intentionality. Power is not handed down out of pity, people must rise and take it. But to take power, you must first understand the weight it carries.”

Bayonle Fesobi challenged participants to balance passion with clarity. “Zeal without knowledge is dangerous. We’ve learned so much, yet we haven’t translated it into wisdom. Leadership is not about noise, it’s about systems,  and understanding those systems is the first step to changing them.”

Prince Adeyemo Adedeji, a seasoned public affairs analyst, emphasized the need for deliberate cultivation of leadership values from the ground up. “Governance isn’t an emergency assignment, it must be built on preparation, character, and wisdom. Let young people grow their roots deep before they aim to rise high.”

Kawthar Salahudeen, in a deeply moving presentation, addressed the structural barriers women face in politics. “We must build systems that don’t just allow women to be seen, but to speak, lead, and thrive. Mentorship is how we break the cycle of exclusion.”

Temiloluwa Oyeniyi, representing the new wave of young female leaders, reinforced the call for strategic learning. “If you don’t know the rules of the game, you’ll always lose. Our generation must move from vibes to value, from noise to knowledge.”

Organized in collaboration with American Space Ibadan, the event marks what organizers hope will be the beginning of a long-term movement to nurture the next cadre of responsible, informed, and courageous Nigerian leaders.