Speakers at The Platform: Young Professionals Bootcamp (YPB) 2026 have charged young Nigerians to embrace self leadership, responsible citizenship and intentional living as pathways to lasting impact and societal transformation.
The speakers, Dr. Owen Omogiafo, Group Chief Executive Officer of Transcorp, Seun Fakorede, former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Osun State, and Toyin Poju Oyemade, Founder of Storyteller Media Productions, made the call during separate sessions held at the event on Thursday, June 25, where they addressed participants on leadership, excellence, responsibility and personal legacy.
Speaking on the topic, “Self Leadership and Leading Others,” Dr. Owen Omogiafo described leadership as a continuous journey rather than a final achievement. According to her, effective leadership starts from within, stressing that no one can successfully lead others beyond the level at which they lead themselves.
“The kind of leadership you exhibit when leading others cannot exceed your self leadership,” she said.Omogiafoemphasized
Omogiafo emphasized that every leader must intentionally develop character, competence and discipline in order to influence others positively.
She further urged participants to become the kind of leaders they would willingly follow, noting that leadership is rooted in personal accountability, emotional intelligence, resilience, discipline and the ability to maximize relationships.
“Leadership is a journey and not a destination,” she stated.
She explained that many people focus heavily on external leadership positions without first building the internal qualities necessary for sustainable influence and growth. According to her, self-awareness and emotional maturity remain critical pillars for anyone seeking to lead effectively in personal life, career and society.
In another session on “Responsible Citizenship,” former Commissioner for Youth and Sports in Osun State, Seun Fakorede, challenged young people to redefine success beyond fame and public recognition.
Fakorede said the true measure of success lies in the number of lives positively impacted rather than how popular an individual becomes.
“The true definition of success is not by how well you are known to others, but by how many lives you impact,” he said.
Encouraging participants to break mental limitations, Fakorede stressed that excellence is attainable regardless of one’s background or present level in life.
“The only way you can limit yourself is in your head. Excellence is achievable at any level,” he added.
He further noted that responsible citizens are not passive followers of existing structures but active contributors to societal development. According to him, responsible citizens do not merely follow “systems,” but intentionally redesign and improve them for the benefit of others.
“Responsible citizens don’t merely follow systems, they redesign systems,” Fakorede stated.
Also speaking at the bootcamp, Toyin Poju Oyemade, Founder of Storyteller Media Productions, delivered a thought-provoking session on “The Pillars of Words,” where she emphasized the importance of perspective, intentionality and self-reflection.
According to Oyemade, perspective shapes decisions, relationships and the legacy individuals eventually leave behind.“Perspective really matters,” she said.
She encouraged participants to constantly evaluate the direction of their lives by asking themselves critical questions capable of shaping their future and personal values.“What’s my attention? My relationship? My legacy?” she asked.
Oyemade explained that the quality of one’s words, focus and relationships ultimately determines the kind of influence and impact such a person will have on others.
The sessions collectively centered on intentional growth, responsible living and purposeful leadership, with speakers repeatedly urging young professionals to prioritize personal development, societal impact and meaningful relationships.
Participants at the bootcamp described the sessions as insightful and transformational, noting that the discussions challenged them to rethink leadership, citizenship and personal purpose beyond conventional success metrics.
