The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) invited a former Nigerian diplomat, Ambassador Habu Ibrahim Gwani, to its monthly discussion on leadership and youth development titled ‘Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS)’.

ILERIS is an initiative of the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) aimed at enriching the lives of young people through mentorship and inspiration.

Accomplished personalities from different backgrounds and professions are invited on monthly basis to speak to the participating youth about their lives, challenges, obstacles, successes, careers, etc with a view to unpacking some hints for the participating youth to copy and apply in order for them to also succeed in their endeavours and careers.

The discussion, which took place in the National Library of Nigeria, Gombe State, on 30th March 2022, was attended by youth and elders, who were opportune to be inspired by Ambassador Gwani through his speech about life experience and struggles, Today Post NG learned.

Ambassador Gwani took the audience back to his early life, from a tender age to studies, his vast years of experience in Nigeria and abroad, and his broad contribution to the community in and outside the country.

He opened up to the youth on the steps to success in life, saying any visionary youth must be focused and determined to make a difference in society.

In his speech, he described the struggles, challenges and rejections he went through before standing where he is today and achieving his goals was just the result.

The main secret of his life, he said, was being honest and trustworthy. Similarly, he attributes his behaviours to having parents who do not tolerate dishonesty and idleness in life.

He also called on the youth to look at his life and build upon their destiny, believing that only “a good boy becomes a good man”.

He also called on the youth to embrace technology in making their daily activities lives more manageable, especially in research and writing.

He finally called for massive writing, lamenting the scarcity of books and writings on the history of Gombe and Nigeria at large.

Confirming Ambassador Gwani’s speech, Professor Saleh Abdu described how he attended the same secondary school as Gwani, saying his life was truly inspiring since then.

After the discussion, the special guest of honour, and the Director of CITAD, President Dr Y Z Ya’u donated many books to the Nigerian Library, Gombe for the benefit of the people of Gombe State.

The Coordinator of the National Library, Gombe and the Host of the event, Mr Abubakar Yakubu received the books and expressed his gratitude to CITAD. He also explained how the library would distribute the books to 26 other National libraries around the country.