SEIZE THE MOMENT: Emerging Nigerian Leaders

When last did you speak to someone about becoming great in the tomorrow of your life? When last did you fantasize, blow up plenty air into your imaginations and reassure yourself that you’re born to make a difference? When last did you feel cool after allowing your mind the privilege of roaming the world, feeling like Bill Gates or even, Usain Bolt? You see, imaginations are powerful, they encircle the world. They give you the bragging right that the world belongs to all of us because you get to fly First Class in your mind, and no one bogs you about boarding pass. Is it not amazing how we are so limitless in our minds?

Well, so what should we do? Should we stop dreaming? Should we stop imagining? By no way! But we should do more with the present moment. We cannot be absent in the classes of today and expect to pass in the examinations of tomorrow. Everyday offers us 86,400 golden seconds, to mine. Each second expects, anticipates, and beckons. This yearning of the Seconds’ hands of the clock compels us to take action, to take initiative, to dance on our today’s stage. But many people are too concerned about tomorrow that they forget there’s a today to fight for.

Omotola Ekehinde, Sam Ikoku, Tonye Cole, Prof Pat Utomi, John Momoh Dr. Innocent Chukwuma, Mohammed Buhari, To Speak at the Emerging Leaders Conference 2015 in Abuja

Nigeria is undoubtably one nation whose strength is in her youth and all over the world, the impact of the Nigerian youth is felt and being harnessed for development of Nations. It is with this awareness that the Emerging leaders Conference was designed especially to provide more capacity for Nigeria’s emerging youth influencers and help them multiply their influence in other youth for a more empowered  economy. Over 5, 000 youths has been part of this grooming and network of change makers.

The Emerging leaders Conference 2015 holding on Nov. 6-7 is an expanded brand being that 3000 young people are being hosted, coming from all sectors of the economy with an aim to improve their economic output afterwards.

National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Signs MoU with GOTNI for Leadership Development Partnership

L-R President Guardian of the Nation International (GOTNI), MR. Linus Okorie, Director-General NYSC, Brig. Gen. J. B. Olawumi, Legal Adviser (NYSC), Barr. Anthony Ani and the  Acting Director, Community Development Service and Special Project NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, during the official signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), between Guardian of the Guardian of the Nation International and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja yesterday

As Nigeria gradually promises hope for her citizens by shunning corrupt practices and celebrating merit, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) has moved further to make Leadership training a core part of the mandatory exercise for all graduate-participants.

L-R President Guardian of the Nation International (GOTNI), MR. Linus Okorie, Legal Adviser (NYSC), Barr. Anthony Ani ,Director-General NYSC, Brig. Gen. Johnson. Olawumi, and the  Acting Director, Community Development Service and Special Project NYSC, Mrs. Victoria Okakwu, during the exchange of the  official document  (MoU), between Guardian of the Guardian of the Nation International and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abuja yesterday 

The NYSC boss, Brig. Gen J.B Olawumi, honoured his commitment to see corps members become even better custodians of nationhood and enterprise through a value reorientation and so signed an MoU with Nigeria's foremost leadership and attitudinal development organisation, Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI) on Oct. 16 to train corps members in the 36 states of the federation and the those serving in the FCT.

Omotola Ekehinde, Ifie Sekibo, Tim Howard and others To Speak at the Emerging Leaders Conference 2015 in November

After the new date was announced for this year's Emerging leaders Conference, interests have been high and preparations on top gear.

The new date remains November 6-7, 2015 at International Conference Centre, Abuja. It is a never-miss. Fee is N10, 000 flat but only the first 1, 000 registered participants will be invited to attend the Day 2 of the conference.

Speakers expected are Ifie Sekibo MD, Heritage bank, Tonye Cole Chairman Sahara oil, Prof. Tim Howard, Prof Pat Utomi, Dr Bukola Bello Ojai, Mrs Eugenia Abu, Mrs Omotola Ekehinde, Innocent Chukwuma of Ford Foundation, Sam Ikoku, Lanre Da Silva, Mohammed Buhari, amongst others.

Registration is ongoing at www.emergingleadersconference.com or www.gotni.org

See some graphics:

Women in Leadership, Governance and Politics Must be Mentored Effectively: The YWLP Template

A total of One hundred and eighty-six (186) women participated in the 3-part sessions of the 2015 edition of the Young Women Leadership Program (YWLP) by Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI), and funded by OXFAM in Nigeria. This program was an intensive mentorship training that brought choice facilitators who mentored women from all walks of life on practical subjects bordering on leadership, governance and political roles.

Facilitators included Mrs. Ijeoma Nwafor, Linus Okorie, Thelma Obaze of NTA, Adora Onyechere AIT, Godswill Ayemoba, Mrs. Uloma Nwosu, Dr. Ejike Orji, Barr. Ikechukwu Uzoma, Mr. Kelechi Agwuom, Mrs. Chikodi Alameyeseigha, Jenny Chisom Opara, Mrs. Nkiru Linus-Okorie, Imo State former Majority Leader, Comrade Iyke Ogbonna, Mrs. Munachi Onuzo, Pastor Alphonsus Eberendu, amongst others.

Keynote speakers for the program launch include Senator Grace Bent, Barr. Sharon Ikeazor, Chioma Ukwuagu (OXFAM), Uche Nwosu (Imo State), amongst other eminent Nigerians.

Leadership Development for Young Nigerian Women: Oxfam in Nigeria and GOTNI Takes the Lead

Nigeria as one of the largest economies in Africa has been through rigorous stages to enhance livelihood and improve her people’s economy. Leadership has been obviously Africa’s biggest challenge due to negative ideologies such as godfatherism, sit-tight leadership and mediocre leadership largely due to the dearth of leadership grooming. Nigeria remains the hope of Africa and at the wake of women empowerment and investment in women, Oxfam in Nigeria has been at the forefront of bridging the leadership gap among women.

Recently, Oxfam has identified with the socio-political need for Nigerian especially in her women, and partnered with Nigeria’s premiere leadership grooming organisation, Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI) for this onerous task since 2014.

Young Women Leadership Program 2015 Launch by GOTNI with funding by Oxfam in Nigeria: Pictures

Finding Reality: The Journey through Fundamentalist Christianity, Schizophrenia, and Self-Actualization - Stephen Mufutau Awoyemi

I remember vaguely that she was lying on the bed reading a book with many pages. She seemed to be concentrating. I asked her, “Aunty what is this book you are reading”? She replied “the Bible”. “What is the Bible”? I asked. It is “God’s word” she responded. I must have been 8 or 9 years old at the time. That was my first conscious encounter with religion. 

All previous encounters had been passive, unconscious, and insignificant. I took personal interest in this Bible and began to read it. I was deeply fascinated as I found a new transcendent consciousness which I never really experienced before. However, I was soon to abandon this new found interest being a child. I picked it up again at the age of 12 when my foster parents began to couple their attendance at an orthodox church (Catholic) with a Pentecostal church. A new wave of Pentecostalism was sweeping Nigeria, gaining a critical mass since the late 1970s through the early 1980s. In the year 1989, I became a born again Christian, a brand of Christianity that grew in power and numbers like wild fire in the dry season in Nigeria. Having a simple and sincere disposition I followed the teachings of this religion.

 When I attained puberty I struggled with sexual desire, feelings of guilt, and self-repression. My impression was that the human was vile and corruptible, as was reinforced by repeated sermons. I pursued morality without a basic awareness of what is, but to please God in order to get a reward, which was immediate blessings and ultimately heaven, and to avoid punishments or curses, with the worst being eternal damnation in hell. As I began to grow older, approaching adolescence, I sought for my own personal experience of the stories I read about in the Bible. Miracles of the age to come, the supernatural, and eschatology became obsessions. I knew that I had no experiential knowledge of these things. I wanted evidence to validate my dogmatic reality--a reality that was capricious and based on only what I had read and heard from humans like myself. I had to. I had no alternative. It was the only worldview I had and it was becoming unstable and troubled with doubt. But how could I doubt it? How dare I reject my worldview? Instead, I looked for evidence to support and reinforce it more. 

Channels Television's Chairman in a photo with Linus Okorie; Talks Collaboration for Emerging Leaders Conference 2015

Over the last weekend, our president in a meeting with the Chairman of Channels Television, sealed the partnership deal to bring this year's Emerging Leaders Conference to millions of Nigerians.

The conference is slated for November, 6-7, 2015.

This year, 3000 young emerging leaders from all states of Nigeria and across all sectors of the economy will be attending.
Our president, Linus Okorie used the opportunity to thank Mr. John Momoh, for inspiring and grooming young leaders of which he is one especially for consistently providing platforms for young people to express themselves and achieve their goals.

Do not miss out, if you are one.

Our conference new website is at www.emergingleadersconference.com and in a few days, you can register for the conference there.

Get ready!!!

GOTNI launches weekly buzz videos - This Week at GOTNI, Episode 1-3

We started bringing you scoops from our daily leadership activities from GOTNI, while also intimating you and keeping you abreast of trends. Today, we published the 3rd episode but have compiled the 3 part video for 3 weeks to you.

Watch them all: Today's episode

Last week's episode

and the very first week's episode is here

Do watch and let us know what you think, at the comments section. To reach us via email, info@gotni.org. Have a beautiful weekend!

~TGIF

Youth Civic Engagement: Theme for International Youth Day Celebration by Ministry of Youth Development: Photos Speak

REJOINDER: BUHARI TAKING CREDIT FOR JONATHAN’S ACHIEVEMENTS – REP BY POINT BLANK NEWS

GOTNI’s president, Linus Okorie have been inundated with phone calls and social media messages concerning the news “Buhari taking credit for Jonathan’s achievements” made originally by Hon. Linus Abba Okorie, a House of Representative member who represents Ohazara/Onicha/Ivo federal constituency of Ebonyi state published by Premium Times today. This same news is attributed to Linus Okorie, of GOTNI via picture credit by Point Blank News as reported by Jackson Ude.

Point blank news publishing this news with the picture of Linus Okorie, Founder of Guardians of the Nation International and not that of the House of Representative calls for serious concern. Linus Okorie has been committed to grooming the next generation of leaders through his 21-year old leadership development cause. He is not in any way an Honourable member or ever been in any political position.

Linus Okorie, whose picture appears in the news did not make any such statements and dissociates from the publication by Point blank news today, July 29, 2015 http://pointblanknews.com/pbn/exclusive/buhari-taking-credit-for-jonathans-achievements-rep/ .

Linus Okorie

By GOTNI, Corporate Communications/Media Relations

cbmr@gotni.org

The League of African Development Students (LEADS Africa) Awards Africa's Patriotic Personality Award on Linus Okorie

The League of Africa Development Students (LEADS), the umbrella body for all democratic Students Unions in Africa confers on Linus Okorie the LEADS -Africa's Patriotic Personality Award. The ceremony took place on  on Friday, July 17, 2015 in Abuja.

They applauded him as an erudite and proven authority in Africa's Leadership Development space per excellence, relentless Apostle of Africa's Quest for Youth Development of International Repute, Managing Consultant of the New Vision Consults and a distinguished Corporate Business Leader and a renown veteran Students' Union,  Associate member of the International Third World Leadership Association - Bahamas, Faculty member of the Pan-African University, a cerebral commenter of topical issues of national and global importance on live events and via various media platforms and an outstanding Nation Builder per excellence!

Linus Okorie joins the likes of Colonel Sani Bello,  Dr. Christopher Kolade, Prof. Clement K. Dzidonu, Hon. Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, Mr. Atedo N.A Peterside, Prof. E.E Ehile, H.E Prince Bola Ajibola and Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, to become a recipient.

The activities of the LEADS is sure commendable and open for support as being a formidable student union body across Africa.

An award well deserved!

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HOW EMERGING LEADERS SHOULD PLAN FOR TOMORROW

The leader is the one who climbs the tallest tree, surveys the entire situation, and yells, “Wrong jungle! – Steven R. Covey

Wise people have always known how to study the seasons and make necessary plans either for sowing or harvest. Many have argued that the challenge most African countries face is that of Leadership, without any argument, it has become obvious that the ills we experience are symptoms of leadership challenge. 

To take a cue from leaders who could foresee and plan for their citizens, would give insight into how leaders of today should plan for their future. Ancient history has the story of a king in Egypt – Pharaoh, who had a strange dream, which was eventually interpreted by one Joseph to be seven years of plenty and following is another seven years of famine. Joseph was eventually going to create a plan, not to avert the aforementioned period of draught but to manage and cater for a country whose citizens as at then were acclaimed to be the second of the two great civilizations in existence. 

Geographically, Egypt is mostly desert except for the Nile River. The Nile is the greatest river in the world, and if it didn’t flow through Egypt the country would be just sand. In ancient times only 3% of Egypt was inhabitable, arable land. Question here is how would 3% arable land be harnessed to cater for this nation for 7 years of famine? Here is how Joseph, who eventually became second-in-command in the entire realm, mapped out a strategy to ensure storage of grains for the period of plenty to provide relief when the great famine came. He advised that the fifth part of all the grain harvests stored for the next seven years, so that when the famine struck, Egypt would have food sufficient to sustain itself.

GOTNI Opens Registration and Online Payment Portal for Emerging Leaders Conference 2015

The Emerging Leaders Conference ‪#‎ELC2015‬ is here! Registration portal is now open and Yes, you can register and pay online when you click  HERE

Emerging Leaders Conference 2015 is a gathering of 3000 young Nigerians under 40 who will contribute to RETHINKING NIGERIA and showing her leadership possibilities across all sectors of the economy. 

Early Bird registration cost for #ELC2015 is Ten Thousand Naira only (N10, 000) and lasts till July 31.

Normal conference fee will take effect from August 1, 2015 and costs Fifteen Thousand Naira only (15, 000).

The news broke here first for your own benefit. Grab your early bird offer now and share with your friends too.

Participants are expected from the 36 states of Nigeria and of course the FCT too, which is the host city.

Emerging Leaders Conference holds on Sept. 11-12 at The International Conference Centre, Abuja.

REGISTER HERE

3 THINGS EVERY LEADER SHOULD KNOW

In 2014, Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) rated Nigeria as 136 corrupt country in the world.

Nigeria has experienced infrastructure deficit, political instability, cash crunch and other contributing factors that has kept us in the league of third world nations. Despite our environmental factors, Nigeria’s perceived way out of its challenge is its willingness to embrace good governance. A large number of Nigeria’s population have indicated that if we get our leadership obligation right, we would rid corruption to a minimum. There is no doubt that a lot of awareness has been done by civil societies and non-profits, however, most of them lack the structure to accommodate aspiring leaders, groom them as well as direct their paths into the political fabric that embodies the leadership of our nation, their structure ends in simulation and not in the field of play. You realize that beyond these challenges, that leaders are able to transcend, however, there are competencies they need to develop to fire up their influence and acceptability by the citizenry, which endorses their role.

3 things every leader should know

1. Leadership style should transcend culture

Culture in this context is not necessarily ethnicity; it is nepotism, disregard for merit, and low esteem for hard work and diligence. A leader’s style is who he is, with principles based on personality ethics of standards that has stood the test of time. These values are embedded in our habits and ultimately become the destiny of our nation. If we commit to create and internalize accommodative styles of nurturing global networks, appraise processes and systems to expose what works, and eventually implement results of what works to collectively engage our community of citizens, this is of utmost a style that absorbs value and excellence and not people by bias.

GOTNI Announces Emerging Leaders Conference 2015

GOTNI announces Emerging Leaders Conference 2015, with the theme RETHINKING NIGERIA: LEADERSHIP FOR POSSIBILITIES. This conference is held annually and have had speakers like Prof. John Adair, George Fraser, Myles Munroe, Genevieve Nnaji, Prof. Jerry Gana, Dayo Israel, Joshua Awesome, Blossom Nnodim amongst many world influencers in previous years.

The conference, which will hold on the 11th and 12^th September 2013, at the International Conference Centre, will host over 3000 emerging young leaders this year, from among those making a difference in their communities, establishments, organization and states.

The gathering of these young leaders is aimed at setting an agenda for Nigeria as they contribute to the policies as their own governance roles as citizens. 

GOTNI Appoints a 40-Man Team: Begins 4-weeks Leadership Development Training

In a new move for the sustainability of GOTNI programs and mandate, and expansion move to the Leadership centre in Abuja, a 40-man team have been appointed. This appointment which came on the heels of the movement of the GOTNI headquarters office to a new location at 4 Oyi River crescent, off IBB way Maitama in Abuja was to equip 40 GOTNI volunteers who will be representing the cause for Leadership Development across Nigeria and the world.

A 4-weeks training began on Monday, June 8, 2015 at the Leadership Centre to introduce the vision and the modalities of operations to the team as GOTNI embarks on  a large scale reach out to schools, communities, target-groups, people-groups, organisations and government. The Leadership Centre will also roll out the Leadership certificate programs which will provide capacity for legislators, people, and target groups across Africa soon.

Continue to see more photos

Linus Okorie Participates in the Pan African Youth Parliament 3rd Intergenerational Dialogue in South Africa

Linus Okorie was privileged to be invited to participate in the Pan African Youth Parliament's 3rd Intergenerational Dialogue & the 6th ordinary session of the third parliament of the Pan -African Parliament.

The dialogue held at the precincts of the Pan-African Parliament in Midrand, Republic of South Africa from May 22nd to May, 2015. ‪

Nigeria's Foremost Leadership Development Coach bags a Master Degree in Organiszational Leadership from Regent University, USA

Linus Okorie is known to many as The Leadership Doctor due to his 21-year old commitment to deliberately groom Nigeria's next generation of leaders. 

Starting off as a 19 year old college student, Linus set out evangelising Nigeria on the need for Integrity, Courage, Great Communication skill, Self-development amongst many other values as the only way to become great leaders and in turn develop the nation. He was one of the proponents of the fact that leadership is everyone's responsibility and is not just positional, in Nigeria. Having established his non-profit organisation Guardians of the Nation International (GOTNI) in 2004, he has not looked back. 

Continue to read more and see more photos

GOTNI Talks with the Canadian High Commission Abuja

The GOTNI Leadership Centre is a great investment by Nigerians who are joining GOTNI to fully institutionalise Leadership Capital Development in Africa starting from Nigeria. It was on this promise, that a GOTNI Delegation paid a visit to the Canadian High Commission on Tuesday, May 5th, 2015 in Abuja.

It afforded the organisation a platform to communicate the projects of GOTNI to the country of Canada and with excitement, we look forward to great collaborations in bringing leadership grooming resources and facilitators to Nigeria.

Continue to read more and see photos

Memes from the Nigerian Honours Myles Munroe Event: Truly a World leader

These were featuring during the #NigeriaHonoursMylesMunroe of April 20th, 2015. Designed beautifully for your use. Let's keep the trend going.