A group of emerging leaders from across various sectors of the Nigerian society including Civil Society, Private Sector, Government and Entertainment industry have travelled to Atlanta and North Carolina for two weeks to learn more about Democracy, Elections, Strategic Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Innovation as part of the Africa’s Emerging Leaders Delegation to Atlanta and North Carolina organised by the A.D King Foundation USA in partnership with GLEEHD Foundation for Leadership and International Development UK and Africa Bureau for Legislative Empowerment Founded by Nigeria’s Senator Babajide Omoworare.
The Southern Regional Director, National Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and President of the Joe Beasley Foundation – Mr Joe Beasly hosted a reception in honour of the contingent at His Atlanta home which had in attendance Queen Nana Appiantua IV from Ghana, Senior Executives of the Joe Beasley Foundation, and delegates of the US States Department program for Senior academics including Professeur Tano Yao and Professeur Lazare M. Poame both University Presidents from Cote D’Ivoire.
The delegates, led by one of Nigeria’s leading social entrepreneur and Special Assistant to Nigeria’s Senator Babajide Omoworare – Mr Dayo Israel were also hosted at the Nigeria House in Atlanta by the Ambassador/Consul General, Ambassador Teneilabe at a reception that had in attendance senior officials of the Nigerian Mission in Atlanta.
The delegation is part of a Civil Society Effort to empower Africa’s emerging leaders to reach their full potential and in return leading to a vibrant economy, successful youth enterprise and democratic consolidation in Africa. The Nigerian contingent represents the various region of the country with delegates from River State, Kano State, Plateau State, Lagos State, Ekiti State, Anambra State, Ogun State, Edo State, FCT Abuja and others. Members of the contingent included 2 UN Medical Volunteer and coordinators of the Lagos State Health Volunteer Scheme; one of Nigeria’s youngest oil and gas sector leader; a UN Youth Ambassador of Peace and Director Personnel Management in the Kano State Ministry of Local Government; One of Nigeria’s celebrated Art and Craft Sector Leader and Award winning CEO of Ara Rock Creative in Plateau State and many other.
On arrival in the United States, the diverse cross-section of emerging youth leaders participated in various capacities building sessions and networking events across the State of Georgia, including specialised session led by Eminent personalities and thought leaders. The Youth and Governance session was facilitated by Representative Roberta Abdul-Salaam of the Georgia State House of Representative while the Entrepreneurship and Business Innovation session was facilitated by Mr Price, from Morgan Stanley. The delegates also participated in various self-development programs facilitated by US State Departments IVLP Alumnus Asiwaju Dayo Israel and Professor Babs Onabanjo, Chief Executive of A.D King Foundation.
Delegates also participated in sessions that focused on the role of young people in addressing global challenges. Technical sites visits also included visits to the Georgia State Capitol, World of Coca-Cola, Black on Purpose Studio, Ebenezer Baptist Church, the Martin Luther King Center and the CNN Global Headquarters where the delegation leader Dayo Israel was called upon to read a CNN HLN News on Apple’s SIRI.
