The Hubert H. Humphrey (HHH) Fellowship Alumni hosted the 11th HHH Fellowship Annual Seminar in collaboration with the US Embassy, Nigeria, today, at BWC Hotel, opposite Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
HHH Fellowship Alumni chose this year's theme to be "Youths and Transformational Leadership" because they believe that young people are key stakeholders in the country and should be given the opportunity to play their roles.
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| Russell Brooks, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Lagos, addressing the audience. |
Some of the notable faces at the well-attended event included US Ambassador to Nigeria, W. Stuart Symington, Taraba State Firstlady, Her Excellency, Barrister (Mrs.) Anna Mbasughun Darius Ishaku, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate, Lagos, Russell Brooks, and Justice Eniola Fabanwo, Vice-president HHH Fellowship Alumni, Ogun State High Court Judge.
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| US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington (middle), Barrister Mrs. Anna Ishaku, Taraba State Firstlady (4th right) with HHH Fellows |
Dapo Oyewole, Yale World Fellow, moderated an interesting panel made up of Dr. Tunji Olaopa, Prof of Public Admin at Lead City University, Samson Itodo of the Not Too Young To Run movement and Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, the only African to be nominated for the 2018 CNN Hero award.
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| L-R Samson Itodo, Dapo Oyewole, Abisoye Ajayi-Akinfolarin, Ambassador W. Stuart Symington and Dr. Tunji Olaopa |
According to Dr. Olaopa, transformational leadership entails leaders and followers working together, motivating each other to create change. He further stated that Nigeria needs to invest in human capital and make bold policies to enable the youths participate in the economic development of the country.
Samson Itodo reiterated that young people need to be empowered with knowledge for non-violent change and to take on the role of leadership in Nigeria. People should be empowered from a very young age in civic engagement and taking responsibilities in every sphere of life. In his words, a good leader should have the capacity, content (vision) and character to lead. A leader should be able to mobilize support, take responsibility and add value.
US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington affirmed that the youths should be active participants in the Nigerian democracy.
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| US Ambassador, W. Stuart Symington urging Nigerian youths to take active part in politics and leadership. |
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the HHH Distinguished Alumni award to Her Excellency, Barrister (Mrs) Anna Ishaku.
Marvella Odili, founder/CEO of Save Our Needy represented the organization at the event.
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| Marvella Odili, Founder/CEO, Save Our Needy, at the event. |
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| Founder/CEO of Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili |
The HHH Fellowship Program is a United States Program which provides ten months of non- degree academic study and related professional experiences to experienced men and women undergoing development or political transition.
Fellows are selected based on their potential for leadership and their commitment to public service in either the public or the private sector.
The HHH Program fosters a mutual exchange of knowledge and understanding about issues of common concern in the US and the Fellows' home countries. The Program offers Fellows valuable opportunities for leadership development and professional engagement with Americans and their counterparts from many nations.
More than 5,700 men and women have been honored as Humphrey Fellows since the program began in 1978.
