26 Aonglenden NPF Youth Wing initiates first-of-its-kind seminar to promote ethical leadership and meaningful youth participation
Political parties in Nagaland remain largely inactive between elections, leaving youth workers disconnected from party activities and limiting opportunities for political education, NPF Youth Wing Mokokchung Division president Takonungsang said on Saturday.
Addressing a seminar on “Ethical Leadership and Public Communication” organised by the 26 Aonglenden NPF Youth Wing at Marepkong Community Hall, Takonungsang said most political parties become active only during election season, with little engagement for the rest of their tenure.
“Political parties often come together for a couple of months during election… There’s no political workers coming together and having seminars,” he said, stressing the need for continuous political engagement and leadership development among youth members.
Describing the seminar as a step towards changing that culture, he said political parties should invest in nurturing informed and capable young leaders rather than mobilising workers only during elections.
Takonungsang also highlighted the importance of understanding a party’s history and ideology, saying young members should know the origin and evolution of the political party they belong to. Reflecting on the NPF’s history, he highlighted the party’s role in the Naga political movement and described it as the state’s regional political party.
Rejecting the perception and the hearsays that the NPF is a “Tenyimia party,” he asserted that it is not confined to any particular tribe. He also maintained that the peace process witnessed greater progress during the NPF’s tenure than under previous Congress governments.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr Imlirenla Walling said Nagaland is facing a leadership crisis, with politics increasingly driven by the pursuit of positions and power rather than purpose and public service.
“Leadership has now become a concern,” she said.
She said many aspiring leaders lacked a clear vision, mission and goals, arguing that these are the foundations of effective leadership.
“Without these three, there is no leadership,” she remarked.
Dr Walling also observed that resolutions adopted during meetings often remain unimplemented, calling for greater accountability and time-bound goal setting within political organisations.
Encouraging young people to treat politics as a meaningful profession, she urged them to prepare themselves for leadership through integrity, discipline and service. She also called on political parties to create more opportunities for women to assume leadership roles.
Highlighting the importance of public communication, she encouraged youth leaders to clearly articulate their manifesto, action plans and objectives to the people.
“Gaining the trust from the public is on us,” she said, adding that leaders must be willing to admit mistakes and apologise when necessary.
She further cautioned young political workers against opportunistic politics and urged them to identify with leaders who demonstrate loyalty, integrity and commitment to public service.
The seminar was organised with the objective of promoting political awareness and preparing young people for meaningful participation in public life. According to the organisers, it was the first program of its kind organised by the 26 Aonglenden NPF Youth Wing.
The seminar was attended by members from the seven units of the 26 Aonglenden AC NPF Youth Wing – Dilong, Sangtemla, Arkong, Marepkong, Ungma, Kubza and Settsü and invited participants. MMC Chairman Imkongchuba also delivered a brief speech.
Earlier, the program was chaired by Youth Wing Vice President Alemtuba Imsong. Longri, Clerk of Marepkong Baptist Church (MBC), pronounced the invocation. The vote of thanks was proposed by Youth Wing President Meshen, while the benediction was pronounced by general Secretary Lanuakum.
