The Executive Director of the Sentinel Oasis for Love and Care Initiative (SOLCI), Barr. Haroun Harry Audu, has called on young people to embrace servant leadership and translate their influence into tangible community impact.
He made the call during the 2nd Edition of the SOLCI Youth Servant Leadership Training and Roundtable held at Gidan Bege, City Ministries of ECWA, Jos, on Thursday, June 4, 2026, with the theme: “From Voice to Impact: Advancing Youth Influence for Social Good.”
Audu said Nigeria stands at a critical moment in its history, noting that the country has a median age of about 18 years, making it one of the youngest nations globally, with over 60 percent of its population made up of young people.
He stressed that while Nigeria’s greatest resource is its youth population, that advantage can only become meaningful if young people choose responsibility, character, and problem-solving over complaint and passivity.
Quoting John C. Maxwell, he said, “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,” adding that leadership must be understood as service and responsibility rather than position or recognition.
Audu explained that the theme of the programme reflects a necessary shift from expression to impact, urging young people to move beyond opinions on social media and instead take responsibility for solving real community challenges.
He also noted that while social media has amplified youth voices, “societies are not transformed by opinions alone, but by actions, initiatives, and service,” urging participants to commit to solving at least one problem in their communities.
He referenced the 2025 cohort of SOLCI Sentinels, who demonstrated servant leadership through a community clean-up initiative, describing it as proof that leadership begins when individuals take responsibility for their environment.
The keynote address was delivered by Miss Keren Rachael Danjan, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of SOLCI and Senior Legislative Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Danjan said nations are not built by accident but through the collective values, choices, and actions of citizens, stressing that personal responsibility is central to national transformation.
She emphasized that young people must move from criticism to contribution, and from complaints to solutions, noting that meaningful change requires both individual discipline and collective effort.
According to her, patriotism should be understood on three levels: emotional attachment to the country, ethical responsibility to do what is right, and transformational contribution through the use of skills and resources for societal good.
Danjan also highlighted the growing power of social media, warning that influence must be used responsibly for positive change rather than complaints, division, or misinformation.
She further stressed that leadership does not require titles or positions, but consistent personal actions that contribute to nation-building, urging youths to embrace innovation, take positive risks, and remain committed to service.
The event also featured a panel discussion where participants engaged Ziyaul Dauda Adamu, Nuhu Gaina, Dr. Kyermun Samuel Dapiya, Maryam Bint Musa, and Gabriel Elekpa.
The panelists explored the theme “From Voice to Impact: Advancing Youth Influence for Social Good,”addressing key issues around youth influence, servant leadership, civic responsibility, and community development.
Discussions focused on how young people can move from online expression to real-world action, use social media responsibly, avoid performative activism, and build inclusive communities across ethnic and religious lines.
They also emphasized mentorship, consistency, ethical values, and practical community engagement as key drivers of long-term impact.
Participants were challenged to adopt servant leadership mindsets and take immediate practical steps toward solving community problems.
Audu concluded by urging participants not to leave only inspired but transformed, calling on them to become agents of change capable of improving at least 100 lives over the next five years through consistent service.
He reaffirmed SOLCI’s vision of building a growing movement of servant leaders across Plateau State and beyond, defined by excellence, hope, and sacrificial service.