Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, the leading youth organisation, has called for collaboration between the organisation and the Lagos State Government on youth empowerment and accelerating the development of the state and the nation.
The National President of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, Oluwatoyin Atanda, disclosed this when she led the organisation’s board members on a courtesy visit to the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Alausa, Ikeja, on Friday.
Atanda, who is also a Senior Special Assistant on Establishments and Training to the Governor of Lagos State, noted that Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria is blessed with talented young people equipped with great leadership qualities who have been contributing to the development of the state.
She commended the Governor for his administration’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment, especially for entrusting young professionals with significant responsibilities in his government, which she described as a testament to his visionary leadership.
“JCI is a membership-driven global network of dedicated and enterprising young leaders, ages 18 to 40. Founded in 1915 (We are 110 years old) and active in more than 5000 locations across 120 countries, JCI takes its members on a leadership journey, providing an environment for them to develop their true potential through projects, events, trainings, and programs aligned with various areas of development opportunities,” she said.
She explained that Junior Chamber International, Nigeria, has embarked on several sustainable projects, events, trainings, and programs since its inception 68 years ago that have contributed to local, regional, and national development. She stated that members of the organisation continue to assume key roles in community development by providing sustainable development opportunities to young people in Nigerian society.
The President recalled that Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria was pivotal to the establishment of the monthly environmental sanitation in the state, which was later adopted by the Federal Government when its members carried out stakeholder engagement within selected communities across major parts of Lagos State in 1981 to proffer solutions to the many environmental pollutions observed.
Speaking on the organisation’s civic responsibility commitment, Atanda said, “JCl advocates for July 10 as International Human Duties Day, promoting the balance of rights and responsibilities for global progress. JCI Nigeria supports this through advocacy, leadership forums, and collaborations, aligning with the UN SDGs to drive sustainability, peace, and social justice.”
In his response, the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria for advancing youth development and its contributions to state and national development.
The governor explained that he has known about JCI since university. He described members of JCI as smart, intelligent young people.
“For us as a government, we see the vision and the things that you do in JCI, and it resonates well with how we do what we do in Lagos State. We are excited about your election as the JCI National President, and we hope that you can bring your experience in government as Senior Special Assistant on Establishments and Training to bear in your position in JCI and vice versa,” Sanwo-Olu said.
