By Ifeoma Ikem
The Alumni hall of The Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, was literarily agog with excitement as guests, members of other institiutions gathered at the 36th convention and investiture of Junior Chamber International (JCI) Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology Lagos.
The 36th president of Junior Chamber International Nigeria, Yaba College of Technology, Jackson Adewale Ayika, said that this year JCI activities would not have seen the light of day if not for the resilience of members and God Almighty.
“Our projects which have to some extent been disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic and other happenings in our country, our selfless services, commitment and innovation were the key to every successful work.
“I will state that my tenure as the president was easy upon all the challenges we faced though it is obvious that our strides speaks for itself today,” he said
Jackson Ayika reiterated that the challenges was as an opportunity that help JCI to connect through networking globally which help us to achieve greatly. “Your network is Your Network he said” when you network outside the four corners of your class and within your comfort zone it helps you until you graduate and it makes it easy for you to exploit around the world.
“I will continue to support the JCI and will also urged members to always be committed with the services of humanity.” as a youth i will advise us to always engage in selfless service because “Service to humanity is the best work of life. We should not wait for reward before we get things done as the rewards that await a volunteer are enormous and more than what that person would have asked for” he added.
Earlier, the father of the day, Arc Sheriff Olashina Ayodele-Oja acknowledged the JCI Yabatech members for their committment and services of humanity as very commendable.
Addressing media men in Lagos Sherrif said that youths involvement in JCI help them to network. Apart from networking it help them meet and connect with friends.
Speaking on the theme: ‘Thriving in Turbulent Time,’ he said that it really shows that the students of Yaba College of Technology are focused and determined.
According to him, “without doubt, all activities of organisations, including yours, have spent many months this year managing the impact of COVID-19. Indeed, it’s a dynamic, turbulent and unprecedented period with mind-blowing challenges but with the Junior Chamber International Yabatech members i am overwhelmed. What we need is join hands, work together as community to achieved our aims.
“we must refocus our plan and develop new strategies to thrive during these turbulent times,” he said.
Agbaje Abdulhakeem Oluwasegun, the general secretary, National Youth Council of Nigeria, commended the JCI for the programme, especially considering the challenges of the pandemic has given the Young people on how thrive in turbulent times.
Abdulhakeem said that he will like the programme to extend the course to other institutions for them to emulate because it inspires the youth with sense of belonging.
“I will advise the youth not to let what is happening in the nation to affect them, rather be focus as they are the bedrock of any society,” he noted.