International Institute For Global Leadership
Issue #96 * December, 2009
www.global-leadership.com
Asheville, NC. USA
Guest Editorial
A New Day For Nigeria
By Lawrence Afere (Nigeria)
What an incredible impact Nigerian youth will have when they finally discover the greatness and potential they possess within and how they can transform their communities and the entire world once this has been tapped. A real miracle is ready to happen: wealth creation, employment generation, massive creative entrepreneurial exploits, good governance and socio-economic development. All of this and more, and IIGL is a key player.
What I witnessed at the recent Nigeria Youth Talent Hunt and Top 12 Awards 2009 really dazzled me. It was organized by the Federal Ministry of Youth Development in cooperation with the Nigerian YoungStars Development Initiative, Never had I seen so many talented and passionate young Nigerians with such bold and daring visions; and especially in the midst of these difficult socio-economic times. These young people, each of whom had initiated and implemented various development projects in their own communities, were full of vigor, creativity, unshakable determination, character, patriotism and an entrepreneurial spirit.
Some were already developing renewable energy ideas, some were fostering individual and community change through sustainable agriculture, some had already written inspirational and motivational books, some were developing software to impact the nation and using ICT to foster rural development. Some were involved in HIV/AIDS education & eradication. Indeed, each of them, in their own way, were addressing many of the underlying causes of today’s national instability: lack of sustainable education, destruction of the environment and poverty.
At this event, I began to view Nigerian youth – who have often been labeled fraudsters, cheats, unskilled – as competent people who are capable of making positive change in their respective communities and the entire country. As I passionately watched how these young change makers exhibited their projects and received awards, I wished the whole world could be present to witness this splendid and momentous event. From that event I became hopeful about the future of Nigeria. Hope comes from Nigerian youth!
It is in this light that I recall the indelible words of president John Kennedy, of the United States of America, who said “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” These Nigerian youth are doing exactly that. They have begun to take responsibility for the progress of our country – Nigeria. They are not waiting on others but have taken their destinies into their own hands. These are the ones who will take the nation to a new level. They are the hope of Nigeria. And certainly they should be celebrated, praised, supported and their stories must be told.
In The News
Julia Cuervo-Hewitt (USA)
IIGL Contributor & board member, Julia Cuervo-Hewitt has just published a new 400 page text book entitled Voices Out Of Africa In Twentieth Century Spanish Caribbean Literature. This book offers a richly detailed panorama of contemporary Spanish Caribbean literature and culture, as well as a compelling theoretical exploration of how authors of the Spanish Caribbean (Cuba, Santo Domingo, and Puerto Rico) have incorporated the cultural legacy of Africa into their narrative fictions. The book offers an in-depth analysis of cultural and religious expressions associated with Africa in the Caribbean and of the complex codification associated with the representation of those expressions. “Voices Out of Africa” explores how literary representations of Africa in the Spanish Caribbean construct a self-referential discourse about Africa in a Caribbean landscape, and examines how Afro-Caribbean practices, rituals, local memories, and belief systems inform such discourse. It is a textual journey through the multiple layers of the region’s cultural expressions. It is also a work of scholarship and theory accessible to scholars and to interested laypersons in Afro-Caribbean lore and culture. Dr. Cuervo-Hewitt is Associate Professor of Spanish and Portuguese at Pennsylvania State University. You may contact Julia at jch11@psu.edu
What Our Students Are Saying
Noeline Kirabo (Uganda)
One of my long term dreams is to be a life skill coach/ teacher because they are so much needed in my country and that will involve writing my training manuals. These principles are definitely going to form a foundation for me when the time comes. The other thing is that as a public speaker i have a whole lot of resources to share from using the IIGL books that i have read. I have already seen this working for me in the few public speaking opportunities i have had of late, i have a wide scope from which to refer and consult.
What Our Students Are Doing
Roger Yomba (Cote d’Iviore /Cameroon)
Link to photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/22688432@N05
Afere Lawrence (Nigeria)
IIGL student, Afere Lawrence, was one of 60 youth nominated to participate in the Youth Works Exibition in Abuja, Nigeria on November 12th-13th sponsored by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Youth Development & the YoungStars Development Initiative. This was a contest to highlight the brightest ideas and creative projects being developed and implemented by Nigerian Youth. Participants had an opportunity showcase their project to the public with a booth and audio visuals. Lawrence presented the youth farm project which he had implemented the past year, taking unemployed youth off the street and teaching them how to transform idle land into productive gardens and mini-farms.
Bereket Alemayehu (Ethiopia)
IIGL student Bereket Alemayehu, is the Ethiopian organizer of the World March For Peace and NonViolence. In early November the Ethiopian chapter, under Berekets direction, organized a two hour hike from Addis Abba to the 4th Century Coptic Monastery of St. Michaels Cave. According to monastery officials, two Ethiopian saint kings built this ancient monolithic cave church by hand. The site has served as a refuge for those seeking peace and refuge for the past 1,600 years.
What Our Students Are Reading
How To Change The World
Social Entrepreneurs and the Power of New Ideas – By David Bornstein
Journalist Bornstein (The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank) profiles nine indomitable champions of social change who developed innovative ways to address needs they saw around them in places as distinct as Bombay, India; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; and inner-city Washington, D.C. As these nine grew influential when their ingenious ideas proved ever more widely successful, they came to the attention of Ashoka, an organization that sponsors a fellows program to foster social innovation by finding so-called social entrepreneurs to support. As Bornstein interviewed these and many other Ashoka fellows, he saw patterns in the ways they fought to solve their specifically local problems. To demonstrate the commonality among experiences as diverse as a Hungarian mother striving to provide a fuller life for her handicapped son and a South African nurse starting a home-care system for AIDS patients, he presents useful unifying summaries of “four practices of innovative organizations” and “six qualities of successful social entrepreneurs.” Bornstein implies that his subjects are in the tradition of Florence Nightingale and Gandhi; the inspiring portraits that emerge from his in-depth reporting on the environments in which individual programs evolved (whether in politically teeming India or amid the expansive grasslands of Brazil) certainly show these unstoppable entrepreneurs as extraordinarily savvy community development experts. In adding up the vast number of current nongovernmental organizations and their corps of agents of positive change, Bornstein aims to persuade that, “without a doubt, the past twenty years has produced more social entrepreneurs than terrorists.”.
Meet Our New Students
We are please to welcome four new active students this during November. They are from Cameroon, Nigeria & the USA.
George Dacris Nyanda (Cameroon)
I am the last born from a family of six. My father died while I was 5, and my mother took great care of me till she also passed away when I was 13. My senior brother help in bringing me up, sponsoring me in college until I obtained my Advanced level certificate in 2009 session in two papers. After I wrote my exams I was always visited by Ntobo Valentine and he told me of a very good program he is studying which he said was free of charge, I wondered what he was saying until I found out the truth when we went to the net . I greatly appreciate the effort of the director who had made this possible because it takes a lot of commitment to see this type of program. I know this is one of its kind. Around the world. Thank you once more.
As far as this program is concern, I believe that when I finish up with this program, I must have achieve my goals since I will like to emerge as a good leader in society and know how to interact with people. This will go a long way to upgrade me after a terrible life which I have passed through. I will know to solve people problems and will like to see a free world. Also from here I will setup a giant project in my community to care for the less privilege, orphans, disables, since I am a victim of this circumstances. I know with the trust in Almighty God I will accomplish my mission on earth.
I will end here by thanking Ntobo Valentine who made me find this program and this has taught me something that we should not be self-centered with information which can lead to the group of societies., I know it will need a lot of commitment but I shall do my best to see I go through my course and we will work collectively to inspire others to join this God gift program because the number from Cameroon is not encouraging.. I know one day they shall be good generation of inspired leaders from around the globe thanks to IIGL.
Nwagbo Ogechukwu Francis (Nigeria)
I have a B.Sc. degree in Computer Science from one of the university in Nigeria. I work with Software Consulting Company in Nigeria as a Solution developer and I am thinking of owning a company in the nearest future. To prepare myself as a the CEO of a company, I developed a strong desire to acquire all the knowledge I need to build and manage a company. I am also planning of getting a M.Sc. in abroad to broaden my horizon.
I am hardworking, energetic and love meeting people. I love reading especially books of highly successful people so that I can learn how to be successful. This has really helped in shaping my life. A lot of people don’t like reading and that is why we have a lot of poor people in the world today especially in Africa, as the saying ‘If you want to hide a secret from a black man, hide it inside a book’ is true. Since I realized that readers are leaders, I have never stopped searching for knowledge and I know when I will need them, they will be handy.
I have wonderful dreams about myself and the world I wish to live in. A world where everybody in it knows their purpose of creation and is doing the things they have been created to do. A world where there is no hatred, no jealousy, no war, no poverty or greed. A perfect world where everybody lives happily knowing that his next door neighbor is doing what he/she needs to do to better the world. A world where everybody is successful and no class or race difference. Well, I don’t know if this perfect world will ever exist physically but it already exist in my creative mind.
The one thing I value most is INTEGRITY and it’s rare to see it in people in today’s world. A lot of people have come to believe that you cannot find genuine integrity in business dealings or business places but that is not true. Our younger generation need to be given the orientation of living a life of pure integrity and that will help to shape our world.
I am the middle child in a family of seven children, three girls and four boys. I have not travelled much but hope to that later. By virtue of my work, I have participated in several solution projects where I learned good team understanding and some leadership skills. My favorite book is ‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill. I watch good movies but no favorite movies.
Osayi Ujunwa Lynda (Nigeria)
My name is Osayi Ujunwa Lynda. I am a nineteen year old girl, five feet tall and dark in complexion. I am a native of Amalla Egazi in Udenu Local Government area of Enugu state Nigeria. I live with my parents and siblings. We are a family of eight and I am the last. I am a 100 level Nursing science student of University of Nigeria Nsukka. My course of study is a five year course under the faculty of health sciences and technology. My primary education was in University Staff School, University of Nigeria Nsukka. My junior secondary education was in Shalom Academy Nsukka and senior secondary in University of Nigeria Secondary School Nsukka. I took my West African Senior School Certificate Examination and also graduated from secondary school in 2008.
My hobbies are travelling, reading, watching television and movies, playing basketball and volleyball and surfing the web. My favourite books are motivational/inspirational books especially those written by Rick Warren and Dale Carnegie. I like seasonal movies like The commander in chief, 24 hours etc. I like attending seminars especially those about women development and empowerment, leadership, health and family. I enjoy helping people especially the less privileged. I have travelled to some states in my country and I wish I could have an opportunity to travel outside my country to other parts of the world. My role model is professor mrs Dora Akunyili the former minister for health and development and the present minister for information and technology in Nigeria. I admire her courage to stand among in administration and her obvious concern for the health of the Nigerian citizens. I participated in the Enugu state AIESEC YES PROJECT 1 held in University of Nigeria Nsukka from July to August 2009. It is a platform for young people to discover and develop their talents. I acquired basic skills in entrepreneurship and way of starting and running a business. I can bake and knit very well.
My dream is to become a global health worker. I have a strong desire to help and promote healthy living globally which could be done by establishing health institutes and foundations mostly in areas where these facilities are inadequate. I believe in the saying “a healthy nation is a wealthy nation”. In the next ten years I hope to have gotten a PhD in nursing sciences either abroad or within my country. I so believe that one day my dreams will come true. I love God and myself so much and I always expect the best from myself. I believe in being the best I can be.
Nicole “Lindzee” Lindholm
I was born in Central Illinois. I have one sister, three years older than me, who is happily married with two boys. My lovable, baby dog Autumn is a one-year-old Chow mix who likes to play catch, give puppy kisses, and have her belly rubbed. Although my parents are deceased, they taught me the most important things in life such as how to love God and others by modeling this principle through their love to me and how to laugh even in the tough times.
When I am not found working or studying, I enjoy listening to inspirational, classical, and jazz music. I love to read the news and classic literature. On weekends, I write and publish a devotional on my website http://www.discoveringjesusfishing.net For exercise, I prefer mild jogging especially in cool temperatures. I like viewing the artwork of the Creator by spending time in the great outdoors.
World travel is another hobby of mine, even though I would like to increase the frequency of my overseas excursions. I visited England for a couple of weeks as a music missionary bassoonist with the Celebrant Singers. A couple of summers ago, I traveled to Ireland to get acquainted with the culture and sites of my Celtic roots. In addition to being Irish, I am German, Yugoslavian (from the former country of Yugoslavia), and Swedish. It is a dream of mine to make my next pit stop overseas in Africa on a dual mission to complete a service project as well as go on a safari, possibly inspired by the movie and music of Out of Africa.
I have been a servant-leader with a variety of organizations. I was Founder and Chairperson of an evangelism team ministry, Teaching the Love of Christ. I have served as a chaplain with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I have short-term mentored adults and youth as an internet mentor with Truthmedia/Power to Change. Currently, I am a youth leader and lay speaker in the United Methodist Church.
As a lifelong student and learner, I have completed a Master of Arts in psychology and a Master of Arts in Christian leadership. My bachelor’s degree is in music. At present, I am working on a JD in law and a PhD in theology.
Helping others is very rewarding to me. My greatest fulfillment in life is knowing God in a personal relationship and demonstrating the Lord’s never-ending, unconditional love to others even though on my behalf, this will always be a work in progress.
Thanks!
We extend a special thanks to the following 24 individuals and/or organizations from five countries who contributed to IIGL during November. Your ongoing support makes this work possible.
Deb Silver (Israel)
Edmee DiPauli (UK)
Lale Eterm (Turkey)
Elisabeth Tepper (Venezuela)
Lily Ann (USA/NC)
Deb Rosen (USA/WI)
Ron Walker (USA/VA)
Margie Tice (USA/NC)
David Banner (USA/NC)
Marsha Clark (USA/CA)
Dina Kushnir (USA/NY)
Corine Wilson (USA.FL)
Heidi Stewart (USA.NC)
Marsha Shearer (USA/FL)
Julie Loosbrock (USA/WI)
Gregory Burazer (USA/NC)
John Hornecker (USA/CA)
Lynne Murguia (USA/AZ)
Jesse Syverson (USA/WA)
Unity of Huntsville (USA/AL)
Rommy Banaszczyk (USA/AZ)
Michael Lightweaver (USA/NC)
Wanda Gail Campbell (USA/AL)
Janae & Barry Weinhold (USA/NC)
Student Progress
We had 18 students from 7 countries complete a total of 28 books in November. These students were from Cameroon, DR Congo, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda & the USA.
Nyanda George Dacris (Cameroon)
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
* As A Man Thinketh
Emmanuel Kayembe (DR Congo)
· Les 7 lois spirituelles du succès
· Les Mots sont des Fenêtres ou ce sont des murs
Paa Kwesi Inkumsah (Ghana)
* The Secret, “What Great Leaders Know and Do
Afere Lawrence (Nigeria)
· Getting Funded
· Change The World
Abiodun Mabadeje (Nigeria)
· Goal Mapping
Adekunle Adekoya (Nigeria)
· As A Man Thinketh
Solomon Nwokoro (Nigereia)
· Falling In Love: Why We Choose The Partners We do
· Ten Days To More Confident Public Speaking
Nwagbo Ogechukwu Francis (Nigeria)
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
* As A Man Thinketh
Ijalana Olubunmi (Nigeria)
· The New Dynamics Of Winning
· Keys to Success
Osayi Ujunwa Lynda (Nigeria)
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
* As A Man Thinketh
Rev Louis Obiakor Obiakor (Nigeria)
* Success Through Positive Mental Attitude
Mark Mazadu (Nigeria)
* A Complaint Free World
* Thankyou Power
Moses Ayodele Joseph (Nigeria)
* Goal Mapping
* Goal Setting 101
Alloys Hakizimana (Rwanda)
* Unlimited Power
Eva Turyashemererwa (Uganda)
* Keys To Success
Noeline Kirabo Mulongo (Uganda)
* The Law of Attraction
Bisanda Immaculate Vivien (Uganda)
* PsychoCybernetics
Lindzee Lindholm (USA)
* Jonathan Livingston Seagull
* As A Man Thinketh
Graduates
The following student(s) complete one level of study last month:
Noeline Kirabo Mulongo (Uganda)
Level One
Joseph Philip Abue (Nigeria)
Level Three
Mark Mazadu (Nigeria)
Level Seven
Statistics
New Enrollments
5 enrolled in November
107 enrolled in 2009
Book Assessments
26 in November
307 in 2009
Books Shipped
38 in November
305 in 2009
Cost of books
$674.01 in November
$6,335.05 in 2009
To Contribute By Credit Card, Click Here
Newsletter Archive: Click Here to view archived issues of the Global Leadership News