Young professionals charged to prepare for leadership roles

Olumuyiwa Alade Ajibola, president of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), has charged young professionals in the country to advance their creative and innovative talents while also deriving great values from the mentorship of accomplished older professionals in preparation for the future.

Ajibola gave the advice during the first APBN young professionals virtual summit on Saturday.

He said the summit will provide young persons the much needed additional propelling force for a very fulfilling future for the association and its constituents.

“In order to make the required impact in National development, Nigerian Professionals must not only be seen, they must also be heard,” he said.

“Apart from helping to ingrain the ideals of the APBN in them early in their professional lives, it is our hope that their youthful drive and ability to innovate will also enrich the gains of the constituents from the Association.

“The APBN is ‘your body’ established by our forebears to promote the collective objectives and interests of the Nigerian Professionals, created as one Association through its values prepositions, its knowledge power, its capabilities in initiating, reviewing and refining policies to achieve the best in purpose and effects, as well as, providing leadership and executive capacities for both the public and private sector programmes.”

Ajibola encouraged professionals to tap into benefits from economic and social impact programs, both locally and globally.

He also said violators of professional conducts should be held accountable by the professional bodies

In his paper presentation, Toyin Ayinde, first national vice-president, Nigerian Institute Of Town Planners, admonished the young professionals on strategies that will give give them enough leverage to improve their careers.

He among other things urged the professionals to seek the help of a mentor, network, raise their standards, identify their goals and build a professional resume.

“One of the most efficient ways to prosper in your chosen profession is to ask for the help of a mentor. Get in touch with an expert who is in the position that you see yourself in the future. Consult with them and take note of their advice and guidance. Above all, you must be able to get out of your comfort zone to put your mentor’s advice to good use,” Ayinde said.

“Building a successful career takes time, effort, endurance, and patience. It is the same thing with building institutions and the professions. If you’re willing to sacrifice some time and you’re willing to get out of your comfort zone, you will succeed.”