By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Kuliya of Ilorin, Professor Yusuf Ali, has called on young Nigerians to demonstrate strong commitment to innovation, hard work and moral integrity as essential pillars for becoming responsible members of society.
He urged the youth to steer clear of social vices and criminal activities, particularly the pursuit of quick wealth, warning that such tendencies could damage their reputation and ruin their lives.
Professor Ali gave this advice in Ilorin during the closing ceremony of first stream of a free six-day Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) training programme organised by Craft Innovation Hub (CIH) in partnership with the Kuliyan Ngari of Ilorin Emirate National Youth Summit (KULNEMS).
Speaking as the Special Guest of Honour, the distinguished legal icon stressed that patriotism remains a vital attribute for future leaders, noting that it would enable young people to contribute meaningfully to nation-building and the overall wellbeing of the country.
He further encouraged participants to further prioritise education, vocational training, digital skills and entrepreneurship in order to achieve financial independence and secure a prosperous future.
The traditional title holder also emphasised the importance of perseverance and vision, urging the youth to remain focused in their pursuit of greatness and to become sources of pride to their families, communities and the nation.
Professor Ali commended CIH and KULNEMS for organising the impactful initiative, expressing confidence that participants would apply the skills acquired to improve their livelihoods, break the cycle of poverty and attain economic prosperity through diligence.
He equally praised the trainees for their sense of responsibility and commitment to personal development, noting that their efforts would add significant value to their lives.
In his remarks, the Lead Coordinator of KULNEMS, Biodun Abdulkareem, lauded Professor Ali for his outstanding achievements and described him as a role model to countless young Nigerians.
He noted that the Kuliya of Ilorin remains a strong source of inspiration, adding that both CIH and KULNEMS are committed to sustaining youth empowerment and employment initiatives aimed at building a better society, as priortised by Prof. Ali.
Abdulkareem assured that the partnership would continue to design impactful training programmes and skills acquisition initiatives for the benefit of young Nigerians.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CIH, Abdulrazak Abiodun, appreciated Professor Ali for his consistent support for youth development and societal advancement.
He highlighted the practical benefits of the training, explaining that it was designed to equip participants with income-generating digital skills within a short period. According to him, the programme’s outcome-based approach, which requires participants to complete real publishing tasks, distinguishes it from conventional training models.
Abiodun added that such execution-focused digital skills initiatives are increasingly important in enabling young people to access opportunities in the global digital economy. He disclosed that the next batch of the free training programme is scheduled to commence on 20 April 2026.
The event featured the presentation of certificates to participants by Professor Ali, who also delivered a mentorship session during the ceremony.
