Fela Durotoye, the leadership expert and motivational speaker, says teenage years are the most vulnerable stage in human life, hence, the need for strong mentorship and authentic leadership.
Speaking on Saturday at a teens career conference organised by The Everlasting Arms Parish (TEAP), Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) in Abuja, Durotoye said teenagers are most open to concepts and influences that can shape their lives for good or bad.
He recounted how unhealthy friendships as a teenager influenced many of his early choices, stressing that timely guidance could have set him on an easier path.
“If someone had come to me 40 years ago when I was 14 years old and said to me some of the things these young leaders will hear in this conference, my path would have been easier and smoother, my gift would have been stronger, and I would have had greater success,” he said.
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He identified three levels of engagement with young people — master, modelling, and mentoring—but noted that mentoring was the most effective.
“You have the model relationship where you show them what they are supposed to be and do. The challenge here is that they think it is because you are older and that’s why you are telling them what to do,” Durotoye said.
“Mentoring is by far the greatest gift you can give a teenager; when you mentor them, you do not give instructions, be available, ask questions and be more concerned about what they care about than what you care about.
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“I will advise that everyone, whether you have a younger brother or a child, be a mentor to somebody. There is somebody who is looking up to you and thinking that this is what my future can be.”
Nonye Soludo, wife of the Anambra state governor, spoke on the need for parents to instil values in their children from home.
She said parents have a responsibility to direct their children early in life, noting that “defining their purpose is very important”.
Soludo added that families work best when both parents play their roles effectively.
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Adebowale Olujimi, chief executive officer of Emadeb Energy Services, said mentorship has become extremely important in today’s world, as children increasingly want to determine their own futures.
On his part, Eva Azodoh, lead pastor of TEAP-RCCG, said the goal of the conference was to set proper role models for teenagers.
He cautioned that many young people risk idolising unexplained wealth over genuine hard work.
“The tendency for our children to look up to those who have made a lot of money to become their role model is very high… but we must teach the children that through hard work they can achieve and be excellent in life,” he said.
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