Kogi Youth Retreat Seeks Professional Mentors for Secondary School Students

The Maiden Kogi Youth Mentorship Retreat 2026 has called on professional associations and experienced individuals to provide mentorship and career guidance for secondary school students across Kogi State, as part of efforts to prepare young people for future academic, professional and leadership responsibilities.

The call was one of the major resolutions reached at the retreat, organised by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Kogi State Chapter, through the Office of the Secretary General, on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the OJN Foundation Event Hall, Zone 8, Lokoja.

The retreat, convened by the Secretary General of the NYCN Kogi State Chapter, Amb. Abdullahi Ismaila Abdullkadir, was held under the theme, Raising Purpose-Driven Leaders for Sustainable Development.

It brought together government representatives, professional associations, civil society organisations, educational institutions, youth development organisations and secondary school students to discuss the importance of mentorship, career development, leadership and responsible citizenship.

A major focus of the discussions was the need to connect students with professionals who can offer practical guidance, share their experiences and help them make informed decisions about their future careers.

Representatives of professional bodies, including the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) and Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), participated in the programme.

They took turns to educate the students on the requirements, responsibilities, ethical standards and career opportunities associated with their respective professions.

The retreat also recommended that professional associations in Kogi State establish or support mentorship networks through which students can receive career counselling, professional exposure and continuous guidance.

Secondary schools were equally encouraged to introduce structured mentorship and career guidance programmes to help students identify their interests, discover their abilities and prepare for future academic and professional opportunities.

Students from Army Day Secondary School, Government Science Secondary School, GYB Model Secondary School, Scintillate International College and Government Girls Secondary School, Sarikin Noma, were among those who participated in the retreat.

In his welcome address, the convener, Abdullkadir, said the initiative was established to raise a generation of young people guided by sound values, purposeful leadership, professional excellence and responsible decision-making.

He stressed that mentorship should not be determined by popularity, influence or social status but should be based on character, integrity, competence, experience and the ability to positively influence others.

He further explained that the retreat was not intended to be a one-day motivational gathering but the beginning of a sustainable mentorship movement that would connect young people with credible individuals capable of guiding their personal, academic, professional and leadership journeys.

Discussions at the event also highlighted the importance of discipline, determination, focus, hard work and consistency in achieving personal and professional goals.

Speakers cautioned students against negative peer influence, unhealthy relationships and premature sexual involvement, noting that irresponsible decisions could expose young people to unwanted pregnancies, interrupted education and other consequences that could affect their future.

They encouraged participants to prioritise their education, personal development, self-respect and responsible relationships.

The retreat identified the absence of structured mentorship opportunities as a significant challenge to youth development, observing that young people require access to credible mentors who can provide practical knowledge, professional direction and sustained support beyond motivational speeches.

It also stressed that mentorship should begin at the secondary school level, when students are developing their values, ambitions, character and career aspirations.

One of the significant outcomes of the programme was the grouping of participating young people according to their professional interests to facilitate continued engagement with professionals in their chosen fields.

The organisers described the development as an important step towards establishing lasting mentor-mentee relationships beyond the retreat.

Certificates of participation were presented to participants and mentees, while supporting organisations also received partnership certificates in recognition of their contributions.

Government representatives at the event included High Chief Amb. Oladele John Nihi, Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth and Student Matters; Hon. Charity Ijese, Special Adviser to the Governor on Women and Youth Mobilisation; Hon. AbdulKadir Ali, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youth Mobilisation; and Hon. Kerry Haruna.

The retreat received support from OJN Foundation, INGRA, RECEF, CESVO, Kogi State Progressive Ambassadors (KSPA) and Kogi Youth Farmers.

OJN Foundation provided the event hall, sound system, projector and technical support for the programme.

In its resolutions, the retreat also recommended that the Kogi Youth Mentorship Retreat become an annual event to provide a consistent platform for connecting young people with experienced professionals and accomplished leaders.

Other recommendations included stronger partnerships between government agencies, private organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and youth development institutions to expand mentorship opportunities.

The retreat further called for the integration of practical skills development, vocational guidance, entrepreneurship education and innovation into youth mentorship programmes.

In his closing remarks, Abdullkadir reaffirmed his commitment to sustaining the initiative as an annual platform for developing responsible, visionary and purpose-driven young leaders.

He said subsequent editions would build on the achievements of the maiden retreat through expanded participation, stronger institutional partnerships, improved mentorship structures and more opportunities for direct engagement between students and professionals.

He emphasised that the success of the initiative would ultimately be measured by the positive transformation, personal growth and leadership capacity developed among the young people reached.

The communiqué, signed by Abdullkadir as Convener of the Maiden Kogi Youth Mentorship Retreat 2026 and Secretary General of the NYCN Kogi State Chapter, called on the Kogi State Government, professional associations, educational institutions, parents and other stakeholders to embrace mentorship as a shared responsibility.

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