ABS GUEST OF THE WEEK

 

 “Capacity Building, Youth Mentorship Will Guarantee Afenmai a Prosperous Future”

_Dr. Mohammed L. Ahmed (B.Eng., M.Sc., PhD)

 

🖋️ Enaholo J.K.
auchiblog@gmail.com

+2348069055018

Ad

This week’s Guest on AUCHI BLOG & SERVICES is a young man from the sacred Kingdom of Auchi. Hailing from the Utsogun Heritage zone of Auchi, he is one whose love for his roots cannot be downplayed in view of his giant strides at placing the nodal town, his home on the map.

Time and time again he has been heavily involved in speaking truth to powers that be, recommending sane solutions to the myriad of problems being faced by our beloved country and initiating socio-cultural projects whose economic potentials are capable of geometrically catapaulting any socity from zero to enviable heights.

The Community’s Eye enagaged Dr. Mo La otherwise known in many quarters as ‘EGHOGHO’ in an exciting conversation in view of xraying the need for capacity building for the youth and discouraging corner-cutting attitudes that are detrimental to sustainable growth for the people of Afenmai in particular and for Nigeria in general.

The Engineer explains what capacity building means to him alongsides the import of same for youth and for a sane society

“Building the capacity of our youth is the only way to a guaranteed future. Young people are blessed with enquiring minds and I’m constantly looking for how to put those minds into productive use. Everywhere you look, there are problems to be solved in the world. Those problems can only be solved by only those who are well-equipped. In today’s world, there seem to be very few jobs despite numerous challenges that abound everywhere. Young people must be equipped to face these challenges. In our immediate locality, if we could find ways to provide avenues for young people to build relevant skills, I am certain most of the vices we hear every day would never have occurred in the first place. For instance, the world is moving at an astronomical rate in terms of information and data technologies and the new opportunities in these areas are capable of exposing every young person to significant economic power. What if I tell you, that with the right skills, we can create technology hubs where our young people can earn reasonably from their skillsets? This is the reason I always clamour for young people to build themselves by acquiring relevant skills.”

Whilst looking at the import of capacity building and empowerment as key to sustainable wealth and a guaranteed future alongsides glaring embezzlement of funds by public servants (Politicians) who are constantly betraying the trust of the people Dr. Mo La points the way to go.

“Nothing changes by itself, until people demand for a change. Selfishness and primitive accumulation are inherent in most humans. In fact, as humans we don’t need so much to live a good life especially if there is an equitable distribution of resources. Greed is the reason why our system is broken. Being in a position of authority is to ensure good life for the generality of the masses and not for the accumulation of what belongs to all to yourself. The truth is, what goes around, comes around and if you use your position to enrich yourself, at some point in your lifetime, you would definitely encounter the consequences of your actions. If you don’t directly suffer from it, your close relation would. I have always maintained that being in a position of authority shouldn’t be a ticket to accumulate wealth at the expense of the people. The fact is being in a position is a ticket to a life of privileges in itself. It opens doors and provides you access to numerous privileges at your beck and call.  

Until everyone of us demand for a change, nothing will really change. We must ensure that the right people are entrusted with leadership roles. For us to do this, every one of us must be part of the system that throws up leaders.”

Furthermore, in view of growing Afenmai using the right hands and minds for the job, he posits that the onerous task of righting the wrongs of society is not exclusively for the leaders alone as it is in the collaboration of both leaders and the led that the desired changes manifest. The led must know now that they wield the greatest power in the process of governance he says.

“Afemai people deserve the best because we are generally good people and I believe very many Afemai people have and would continue to exemplify themselves. Collectively, as a people we must be deliberate in the ways we do things. Nothing happens by chance, we cannot continue to do the same things and expect the different results. Its time we try new things to achieve different results. If we want a society where the majority are fulfilling their dreams, then we must identify people with the right qualities who can deliver that society. I think the masses have the most role to play in this. They shouldn’t allow themselves to be cowed by temporary pecuniary gains. If only the masses realized the amount of power they wielded, people in authority would worship them and always fulfil promises. There is much more to benefit when the right persons who may not necessarily have the most money to hand-out get to the positions. The truth is, when someone pays their way into a position, it becomes an investment that must yield rewarding returns. There is need for a total overhaul of the mindset both by the leaders and the led. There is no amount of instant gratifications that can provide good healthcare systems, safety and security of lives and properties or jobs for our teeming youths. When the right people are in charge and the right things done, everybody wins.”

To draw the curtain on our conversation, the academic opines that in his view, the people of Afenmai are strengthened by the presence of peaceful coexistence which has so far engendered a substantial level of development for the people. He calls on well to do Afenmai Sons and Daughters to mentor the younger generation for a prosperous Edo North going forward.

“A key part of our strength is our peaceful coexistence. We are very welcoming and receptive to people from other parts. Our people are peace-loving, resilient and hardworking. These qualities only need to be channelled and deployed towards productive ventures. Every part of our community has a thing or two to contribute and with the right leadership, we can make our part of the country an economic hub. 

I don’t think we have a lot of drawbacks, except that we have not been able to harness the potentials within us and with us. Those who have been blessed haven’t been able to collectively use their resources to uplift many. If everyone of us who has succeeded in whatever we do could mentor one or two others, I think we would be better off as a people.”

Dr. Mohammed is the convener of Eghogho Festival (a cultural carnival\fiesta that showcases and promotes the culture and tradition of  Afenmai people). He currently works in the Northumbria University and Canterbury Christchurch
University both in the United Kingdom where he teaches Human Computer
Interaction and Research Methods respectively.

Ad

He is Certified by several local and International regulatory organizations; the American Society of Quality as a Quality Process Analyst, International Software Testing Qualification Board as a Software Tester, Teaching in Higher Education as an Associate Fellow, Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria and the Nigerian Society of Engineers as a registered engineer.

When not studying, Mohammed is teaching and mentoring young people in education and career as well as volunteering for community development initiatives. He is happily married to Dr. Jemila Momoh and blessed with 3 lovely Children.

Dr. Mo La is currently in the race for the occupation of the Rep Seat in view of representing the good people Etsako Federal Constituency. “It's a new dawn for Etsako, Let's use big ideas to make the difference.” He says.