A nonprofit organisation, Noble Missions for Change Initiative has charged its cohorts to embrace advocacy and demonstrate passionate commitment to promote democracy in their communities.
This was said at the graduation of its third cohort for the fellowship programme tagged “Active Citizen Fellowship” which held virtually.
The event took place on Thursday where the graduating fellows shared their experiences throughout the programme and their expectations to the larger society.
The Active Citizen Fellowship is aimed at equipping young Nigerians with ideas and insights into advocacy as well as storytelling to impact their immediate communities.
According to the executive director of the organisation, Charles Omofomwan, the fellows had undergone different stages of advocacy activities including sourcing for funds and signing petitions but would now be incorporated into a new community for more opportunities.
“Fellows are added to a lifelong community where they would be able to share and access opportunities,” Mr Charles said.
The operations officer, Aanulowapo Olowu, while speaking said “the four weeks virtual training platform was designed for young leaders in Nigeria who have demonstrated passion and commitment in the past to promote democracy and to improve the quality of life in their communities.”
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While congratulating the new fellows, Mrs Suzan Agada from USAID charged them to learn more to contribute to their community. She also commended the organisation for the fellowship programme aimed at developing young Nigerians.
“We need more platforms like this for our youths to grow. I am happy and ready to collaborate for the youth to learn. Work on yourself ad don’t give up,” she charged the fellows.
Director of Africa Youth Initiative for Climate Change, Mr. Olumide Idowu who also graced the event shared his experience in the advocacy sector, adding that the new fellows should leverage the power of collaboration.
“Every project cut across environment and nature is the only thing we are left with. We are all expected to speak about issues that affects us. Try to leverage on your contact and collaborate,” he said.
In the same vein, Ashley Waudo, a global coaching expert also admonished the fellows to move across Africa to create impact.
She said: “You are privileged to be part of this fellowship and I encourage you to expand to Kenya as well as other African countries. Have an open mind to be the change you want and continue to raise the flag.”
Others who spoke at the event include Future Award Africa Awardee and representative of the first cohort, Wilson Atumeji; Pollination grantee and representative of the second cohort, Khafilat Olanrewaju.
Some of the new fellows include Sylvester Shakpande, Anthony Adejuwon, Clementina Oriaku, Pascal Nwoga, Enitan Oluwa, Justice Eno, Ifeoluwa Alabi amongst others.
The Best Graduating Fellow was awarded to Oluwaseun Kolawole who also gave the closing the remarks thanking the organiser and charging her colleagues to leverage the knowledge gathered to create impactful projects.
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