Success Damian:
Mandela Washington Fellows Alumni Association of Nigeria is
set to host over 1000 active Nigerian youth leaders with the goal of
collaborating actions that will promote sustainable national development
through the Young Leaders Assembly.
President, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of
Nigeria (MWFAAN), Dr Segun Fatudimu, in a statement says that the ‘‘vision of
the program is to over time become like a local replica of the United Nations’
youth assembly where young leaders including young civic leaders,
entrepreneurs, public managers, activists and student leaders working to
promote national development and the sustainable development goals are
recognized and celebrated.’’
According to him, ‘‘the summit with the theme: Paradigm shift; Creating a youth-led
development agenda for Nigeria will feature 3 powerful keynote
speeches, 3 Panel Sessions, 1 set of syndicate sessions and an action plan development
session. This summit will also feature the Beyond School Community Challenge
grand finale and the President Barack Obama’s Young African Leadership
Initiative (YALI) Awards presentation which will hold in the Federal Capital
Territory, Abuja on the 22nd of September, 2018.
‘‘Invited guests and speakers include Vice President of Nigeria,
Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Mr Tonye Cole of Sahara Energy, Governor Godwin
Obaseki, Mrs Tara Durotoye of House of Tara, Doctor Amy Jadesimi of LADOL and
the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Symington.’’
Dr Segun further explained that ‘‘the project is envisioned
strategically to position Nigerian youths on the pivotal roles in the
realization of Sustainable Development Goals in all critical sectors of the
economy by 2030 through a coordinated infusion of entrepreneurial and
leadership skills through YALI network.’’
He explained that the Beyond School Community Challenge will host
the top 10 finalists selected schools and students to compete for the grand
prizes in the Beyond School Challenge final pitching competition.
‘‘As a national community development and entrepreneurship program
for secondary school students, it aims to engage young people in Nigeria for
the purpose of creating impact within their community and developing critical
entrepreneurial skills. The program further seeks to inspire students to
improve their communities through entrepreneurial action. Each finalist team is
made up of 3 high school students with a teacher. Each team will be tasked to
provide an innovative idea or solution in their community within the framework
of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.’’
Further explaining, the MWFAAN President said the finalists would
be transported, accommodated in Abuja and fed by the BSC team for all the
duration of their stay. There would be a mentoring session and dinner for the
finalists by selected Mandela Washington Fellows.
According to him, ‘‘the 2018 finalists would be taking on-site the
Ventures Platform, a tour of important places in Abuja and visits to selected
Fellow’s startups and organizations. Finalists would also attend an exclusive
networking dinner alongside the YALI leadership Awardees and will be attended
by Mandela Washington Fellows and representatives of other notable youth
networks and organizations in Abuja.’’
The project is supported and funded by the US Embassy, Abuja and
IREX.
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