By Perpetua Onuegbu
Dr Eugenia Ndukwe, Executive Director, Young Global Leadership (YGL) Network, an NGO, says young leaders’ exposure to technopreneurial skills will ensure a stable economy and contribute to the county’s development.
Ndukwe said this at the opening of the 2024 Young Global Leadership Annual Diplomacy, Entrepreneurship and Technopreneurship programme held on Tuesday in Abuja.
She said that YGL in partnership with a consulting firm, XEM Ltd. had designed the programme/bootcamp to empower the next generation of Nigerian leaders and entrepreneurs.
”The bootcamp is hosting talented young people aged 8-15, offering them a unique opportunity to develop critical diplomacy, entrepreneurship and technology skills,” she said.
Ndukwe said the bootcamp was necessary in view of the desire of many parents to have their children travel abroad to study and become global citizens, not being mindful of them having a global mindset.
“Entrepreneurship has come into play because if you look at what is happening especially with fresh graduates, you will see that everybody wants to work but is working sustainable?.
“The easier way for you to make it in life today is to commercialise your skill and knowledge; when you commercialise your skill and knowledge, you attain self satisfaction and financial sustainability.
“We started the leadership and entrepreneurship programme to see how to help the young ones take advantage of the opportunities that are available in the world of technology. Life is not just about socialising.
“We prepare our young leaders to be the agents of global impact and national development.
“We have to teach them how to be responsible and also be contributory citizens in their immediate community by first identifying their weaknesses and their strengths, and then harnessing the knowledge into something useful,” Ndukwe said.
According to her, YGL is determined to ensure that young ones identify their talents and as such decided to build the child’s self esteem and public speaking confidence.
Ndukwe added that for young leaders to be outstanding, they have to be taught about diplomacy, to understand the culture or the global environment.
“When they are not intentionally raised to know these things they are faced with emotional challenges, cultural challenges as well as psychological issues.
“So the bootcamp through interactive sessions and hands-on projects, participants will gain insights into global affairs, leadership, innovation, technopreneurship and the importance of social responsibility.
“The programme is designed to equip young minds with tools to become proactive citizens and fulfill their potential,” Ndukwe said.
She therefore called for parents to support the children, noting that most parents only believe in a conventional school environment.
The expert also appealed for government’s support, as reputable resource persons were usually engaged to mentor the children, since the organisation was contributing to social cohesion, societal integration and national development.
On his part, the programme’s coordinator, Mr Samuel Chukwu said the children were being mentored to be future leaders.
“We have realised that what a country needs to be a world power or to survive is leadership and a strong economy.
“That is why we have classified this bootcamp under leadership and entrepreneurship.
“We believe in catching them young; we don’t believe anybody is too small, so all we can do is to give them every skill they need to become leaders of tomorrow.
“So, I encourage parents to embrace this because the world is a global village and your children need all the support they need to get.
“Bring them to this programme and let us help you nurture Nigeria citizens that are positive contributors,” Chukwu said.
One of the young leaders, David Chigozirim, a Junior Secondary School (JSS 2) student, and a third time participant, said that he learnt about public speaking and could now speak boldly and confidently in the crowd.
He further said he learnt so much about technopreneurship using the internet to create business ideas and popularise them worldwide.
On her part Fatima Sagir, a Grade 4 pupil, said she had learnt about diplomacy and international interactions, especially how to relate with other citizens of other countries.
Sagir said she also learnt about emotional intelligence.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the bootcamp tagged “Diplomacy and Entrepreneurship Bootcamp” will end on Aug. 23. (NAN)