Pastor Tunde Bakare, Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church (CGCC), has said that the current challenges in Nigeria were a result of institutional neglect that has eroded values in the people, especially the youth.

Bakare made the remarks as a Keynote speaker at the “Passing the Torch Mentorship Initiative” programme to commemorate the 60th birthday of the Convener, Mr Idorenyen Enang, in Lagos yesterday.

He lamented that politicians had become excessively consumed with the next election rather than the next generation, resulting in some challenges confronting the nation.

“The consequences are visible everywhere, as a generation that is highly exposed, technologically connected, intellectually aware, yet many lack direction due to a lack of mentorship.”

Bakare said there is a need for Nigerian leaders to begin to mentor the younger generation in values that could be sustained for nationbuilding.

According to him, nationbuilding was impossible without leadership continuity, pointing out that vision without succession eventually dies. “Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo did not just build political structures; he built people.

“His influence shaped several leaders, like late Bola Ige, Lateef Jakande, Adekunle Ajasin, among others, who carried aspects of his vision into governance and public administration.

“In Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sarduana of Sokoto, played a foundational role in preparing and positioning Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa for national leadership.

“Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Pan-African ideals are not fully translated into ensuring institutions that could shape future generations of thinkers and statesmen.

“Nigeria has progressively lost many of the structures that once enabled effective trans-generational capacity building,” he said.

According to Bakare, mentorship is not difficult, but the problem is that people are scared to either mentor or be mentored. Bakare lauded the celebrant, describing him as a unique person who had mentored many in society.

“Enang is a living embodiment of mentorship. I have personally had the privilege to mentor him, just like he has mentored so many young people.

“I am particularly delighted that the celebrant chose to celebrate his 60 years by continuing to bring the issue of bridging the generation gap and mentoring younger Nigerians for a public discourse rather than throwing a party.”