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.
It was indeed revolutionary
and many participants have called for more of this kind of mentorship outreach
to empower women for a better led Nigeria.
As was highlighted by
Senator Grace Bent during the program launch on Sept 4, that Nigeria has been
led by only half of her team, the need was really amplified by the mind
revolution and willingness to serve, exhibited by the participants, now
alumnae. They were mentored on subjects like Leadership etiquette, Productivity, Team work efficiency, Rule of Law,
Women in the eyes of the constitution, Virtue, Vision, Social media for advocacy,
Media for advocacy, Entrepreneurship, Communication, amongst others.
The women left the 5-day
training sessions more committed to becoming the change we all desire and went
ahead to establish their own advocacy projects in groups. In all, seventeen
(17) advocacy group projects were established.
The group chose advocacy
projects that range from tourism, stopping
harsh widowhood practices, sickles cell anaemia, waste management, freedom of
speech, Women support, Self-esteem, Stopping
molestation of the Girl child, Abuse, Celebral Palsy, amongst other issues.
The groups all started off
their advocacy projects on their Social media of choice. 2 of the groups adopted
Twitter, 2 others adopted blogs, while the others chose Facebook groups, making
the program outcome easier to manage and assess.
On the official YWLP Group
on Facebook www.facebook.com/groups/YWLP2015 the
interactions are robust and we encourage such approach to be adopted by
advocates as a first line of action.
The role of OXFAM to ensuring
equal opportunities for women in Nigeria drove the vision of GOTNI which is to
groom leaders consciously for Africa, and these 186 women are empowered to
execute that dream.
As we draw the many lessons
and follow up on their progress, it is our hope that more Nigerians will
benefit from these participants and together the deficit of women in
leadership, governance and politics will become history.
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