NGO Commences Exchange Programme For Kogi Youths

LOKOJA – The Chief Executive Officer of JELA Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organisation, Angela Omeiza, has blamed poor governance prevalent in Nigeria on leaders without the listening ears of the people.

She said “Until our political, social and even community leaders review their style of leadership by listening more to the yearnings of there followers, rather than forcing their opinion on people always, there will not be any significant development in the country.”

Angela made this assertion on Monday in Lokoja during the NGO’s Leadership Exchange Program (LEP) for set of young people under the age of 30.

“We need leaders to listen in order to address the problem of the society. You can’t advocate for something you don’t know about.

“Our leaders are not listening to our complains, and so don’t know how to address them.

The project, the 3rd cohorts in the country is supported by US Department of States has 30 youths drawn across the state.

She said the programme will empowered the participants, whom she tagged as young leaders to become audacious servant leaders and community-builders.

“The initiative targets youth between the ages of 18 and 25. We will be providing them with essential skills and knowledge to become effective change-makers in their communities.

“The two weeks training is one of the aspect of the program which deals with strategic subjects like servant leadership, peace and conflict resolution, community building, and fundraising, with a subsequent three-month workplace exchange, all through to August.”

Angela Omeiza, said the leadership programme is an intensive training combining both theoretical knowledge and practical experience to equip the young trainees with the relevant skillset to serve as leaders in their various communities and engender positive changes, noting that Nigeria and other African countries are in critical need of servant leaders and community builders capable of driving the needed transformation on the continent.

“This training will equip participants with the tools needed to lead and inspire others effectively. Through a combination of training workshops, placement with host organisations, virtual engagements, excursions, empathy-building exercises, community development projects and radio appearances, we envision that we would have empowered 30 young people with servant leadership and community building skills.

“These 30 participants, we believe will make impact at the larger space. They will, for now look into the micro level of their communities to make impact and when they grow and occupy the larger space, they will do well in leadership positions.”