Lagos Deputy Speaker Meranda Urges Youths to Lead with Integrity and Purpose
Kathy Kyari
The Deputy Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Honourable Mojisola Meranda, has charged young people to embody integrity, discipline, and purpose as they step into leadership roles, stressing that true leadership goes beyond laws and policies to include personal values, polish, and ethical conduct.
Honourable Mojisola made the call while delivering her goodwill message at the maiden edition of the Lagos Youth Leadership Conference, a visionary platform designed to nurture a new generation of forward-thinking leaders.
Meranda, who expressed delight at the success of the initiative, commended its organizers and supporters “for believing in our youth” and “making this a reality.” She noted that empowering the younger generation remains a crucial step in securing the future of the nation.
“There’s a usual popular saying that empower a woman and you empower a nation. That also goes for our very energetic youths. Empower the youths, and the future is secure,” she said.
The Deputy Speaker emphasized that while legislators are responsible for shaping policies that secure the future, laws alone are not enough to build a great society.
“It takes leaders — disciplined, polished, and forward-thinking individuals — who embody the values we seek to legislate into the system, Future-proof leaders are not only tech-savvy, they’re emotionally intelligent, culturally aware, and ethically grounded.”
Highlighting the importance of self-awareness and presentation, Meranda reminded participants that leadership begins with self-mastery.
“Leadership brings with it self-mastery — how you think, how you speak, how you present yourself to the world. Dressing right, smelling good, speaking with clarity — these are not trivial details. They reflect respect for yourself and for those you seek to lead,” she remarked.
She urged the youths to balance digital innovation with human essence, ensuring their online presence reflects their values.
"Let your digital footprint mirror your integrity. Let your creativity serve your community. And above all, let your growth be anchored in values that cannot be disrupted by trends,” she added.
Speaking after the event, Meranda expressed satisfaction with the impact of the three-month leadership training and described it as a “fantastic platform” that must be sustained.
“I’m really impressed with what is going on. We need to encourage our youth. If we say youths are the future leaders of tomorrow, it starts now,” she said.
Offering advice to the graduates, the Deputy Speaker urged them to make the most of the opportunities ahead and to extend the knowledge they have gained to others.
"After this program, they shouldn’t go back inside. They are out already, and they need to explore every opportunity that has been given to them,” she said. “They need to be given opportunities to train others. By doing that, it goes in a circle, it will touch everybody and that’s the only way to go.”
Meranda reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to youth empowerment, saying, “Lagos is watching. Nigeria is waiting. The future belongs to those who are prepared in mind, in conduct, and in purpose.”
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