Issue #283 *July 2025

 

Guest Editorial

Life

Udeme Idem (Nigeria/USA)

Demsydem08@gmail.com

Life is woven with challenges that color our everyday existence.
As we rise each dawn, we whisper hopes for a glorious day, dreaming of a seamless journey ahead.
Then, out of nowhere, one little thing unravels, and soon a cascade of chaos follows. This isn’t merely a reflection of our actions or inactions; it’s simply the unpredictable dance of life and fate. It does not encapsulate who we are or our intrinsic value.
In moments like these, what actions can we take?
Maintain a bright outlook; there’s no reason to let frustration take root over matters beyond our grasp.
Embrace the joy of laughter, indeed! The circumstances may remain unchanged, but our spirits can soar far higher.
Crank up some tunes, let the melodies wash over you; they can whisk your mind away from the burdens of what went awry.
Reach out to friends; their presence will anchor our sanity and guide us back toward progress.
Challenges are not here to shatter us; rather, they are the forge that tempers our resilience, making us mightier than before.
Life has often served me the toughest lessons to digest, yet these are my secret ingredients for staying buoyant and chasing my aspirations. Today, I stand mentally fortified compared to a year ago.
As we step into this Monday, amidst the storms of challenges that lie ahead this week, remember: they are not meant to break your spirit, and you shall emerge even stronger in the end.

I smile through my challenges. What about you? 

 

What Others Are Saying

IIGL Board Share Goals and Visions for 2025-2026 Term

President:  Lynda Eze (Nigeria/USA): She began by thanking everyone for the opportunity to serve again. She became nostalgic talking about how long she had been on the board and how she had worked with many past presidents, especially Felix, who welcomed her when she made inquiries about IIGL. She also thanked Deb and Michael, the IIGL founder. She went further to express thanks to all who have invested time, prayers, and energy into making IIGL what it is now and how the lives of the members of IIGL are the true images of what society should see, not just their words. She expressed her enthusiasm about how positively IIGL will grow in the coming year and the future.

Vice President:  Udeme Idem (Nigeria/USA):  She said she it is a great privilege to be re-elected for a second term, to serve with Lynda Eze and the rest of the board.  It is a wonderful opportunity to serve this community who have invested a lot in developing me both as a leader and a change maker.  Thank you IIGL for trusting me enough to give me this opportunity.  She said; I once again commit to supporting the President to fulfill the vision of IIGL.

Corresponding Secretary:  Kathleen Oweegon (USA): She said, she was delighted to serve as the Corresponding Secretary once again. She expressed hope that she will have great correspondence with the board and will support IIGL in every way she can. Alongside opening meetings, she said she will be available to chair and gather information for each meeting and send it to the recording secretary. She also mentioned being honored to serve with Lynda and will be looking forward to working with the board as each blossoms.

Recording Secretary:  Michael Kelechi (Nigeria/UK): He stated that it was a privilege to be on the board as an officer. He remarked on how wonderful the journey has been with its perks of ups and downs. He also noted that having worked with previous leaders, he pledges his allegiance to the board and will work with the president to achieve whatever her focus and visions are to take IIGL to greater heights. He didn’t forget to point out the huge benefits he derived from the books he had gotten and read courtesy of IIGL. He ended by extending a warm hand of friendship to all joining the board newly.

Treasurer:  Zach Rosen (USA)   He stated that everything financially is looking good for the board and the upcoming term. Based on the current state of the world’s economy; and with the donations that have entered the account, we should be fine for a couple of years to come.  He looks forward to serving and supporting in his second term as Treasurer.   

Member: Sunday Elebiju (Nigeria): He began by showing appreciation for the opportunity to be chosen as a member of the board. He stated it is his hope to contribute in a good way to the board as he continues to monitor and evaluate the aims and goals of the board, making sure they are achieved.

Member:  Emmanuel Iziomoh (Nigeria/Belgium): He stated that he looks forward to another wonder year, though in previous years, he had been caught up by modern technologies and life’s pursuits, but he will be more fruitful and participate more in the board. He also stated he will be more active in supporting the President and Vice President.

Member:  Ola Olamakinde (Nigeria): He shared he was glad to be on the board. He ended by highlighting that it was his first time and looks forward to doing great stuff with the board.

Member:  Charles Kabera (Rwanda): After welcoming all members onboard and giving his congratulations, he stated that he was optimistic that more will be achieved in comparison to what has been done already.

Member:  Mwesigwa Enock Joseph (Uganda): He stated, I am deeply honored and grateful to accept the invitation to serve on the (IIGL) Board. IIGL has profoundly shaped my worldview, leadership practice, and life purpose. Through its unique curriculum and the support of the global IIGL community, I have grown in clarity, compassion, and conviction. As a board member, I look forward to giving back by supporting new students, contributing to strategic discussions, and helping advance the mission of cultivating values-based leadership around the world. I believe this role is not only a responsibility but also a joyful opportunity to serve, learn, and grow together with fellow change makers. With humility and hope, I commit to walking this journey with integrity, presence, and purpose.

Member:  Okot Stephen (Uganda): He expressed the privilege to be on the board. He said that he has gained a lot through the years and observed good things, and as a result, he believes he is able to contribute. He also stated he hopes to share insight and be a positive contributor towards the growth of the institution, as he participates actively in the activities of IIGL.

Member:  Cheu Pswarayi (Zimbabwe): She stated she was happy to serve on the board, though she has intentionally decided to relieve herself of other leadership roles; however, she is still committed to IIGL. She believes she has more to give and in the energy and leadership shown by the president in the past year. She also stated she will support the objectives of the board and will do her best to play her part in what the board’s intentions are.

 

What our Students are Reading

The Art of Possibility (Ebook)

Presenting twelve breakthrough practices for bringing creativity into all human endeavors, The Art of Possibility is the dynamic product of an extraordinary partnership. The Art of Possibility combines Benjamin Zander’s experience as conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and his talent as a teacher and communicator with psychotherapist Rosamund Stone Zander’s genius for designing innovative paradigms for personal and professional fulfillment. The authors’ harmoniously interwoven perspectives provide a deep sense of the powerful role that the notion of possibility can play in every aspect of life. Through uplifting stories, parables, and personal anecdotes, the Zanders invite us to become passionate communicators, leaders, and performers whose lives radiate possibility into the world.

Students/Graduates In Action

Springboard Continues to Flourish!

Recently, Afere Lawrence (Nigeria); IIGL Graduate shared:  “On May 30, 2007, Helen Lawrence-Afere and I were just two undergraduates and friends at Covenant University with big dreams! Today, May 30, 2025, we stand not only as husband and wife, but as co-founders of Springboard; a vision born from shared values, countless sacrifices, and an unshakable belief in building something meaningful together.
From youthful ambition to building a movement that empowers farmers, feeds communities, and drives rural transformation this journey has been nothing short of divine. To everyone nurturing a dream, may this be a reminder: Growth takes time, love is a journey, and purpose makes it all worthwhile.”  To check out their most recent accomplishments; go to springboardnig.com! 

 

Valuable Resources for Personal and Planetary Transformation

Inspiring Quotes

Inspiringquotes.com

Inspiring Quotes shares powerful words of wisdom from some of history’s greatest thinkers.  The team of writers and editors save the moving lines they discover reading books, watching movies and researching memorable moments.  They then fact check them, verify and share those quotes with you so you can be more confident, encouraged and empowered!  You can subscribe and receive an uplifting quote every morning!   

 

News

Help IIGL Recruit New Students!

Feel free to share this newsletter or just this poster with your friends, family, co-workers and colleagues to help IIGL continue to grow and flourish globally!  Thank you to those who have referred others! 

IIGL Book Sales Continue…   

The IIGL Board of Directors shared that the IIGL book, “Creating Your Path Through Leadership” book sales continue to provide a Royalty payment to IIGL each month. It has also helped new potential donors understand more about IIGL!  The book is available both on Kindle and in Paperback on Amazon.com!  Check it out!   Here’s the link:  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=dp_byline_sr_book_1…

Meet Our New Students

We had 1new student this month

Japheth Oino (Kenya)

I am from Luo Nyanza, I have been actively involved in business and empowering people.  I am married and have four children and I own a hardware shop with six people employed in my shop.  I supply building and construction materials to various people and construction sites. Throughout my high school career I have made a lot of achievements, and faced challenges I thought I couldn’t overcome. I have made great progress in school and in my personal life. I have also overcome challenges. I know these things that I have accomplished and overcome will help me move forward in my future.

 

To view complete profiles, Click Here

 

Student Progress

We had 7 students from 4 countries complete a total of 8 books in June. These students were from Kenya, Liberia, Nigeria and South Africa.

Francis Maundu (Kenya)

* Go Pro

Jamila Musa (Kenya)

* Psycho-Cybernetics

Japheth Oino (Kenya)

* As a Man Thinketh

* Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Mohammed M. Sannoh (Liberia)

* Goal Mapping

Sadiq Rita Salamat (Nigeria)

* Maximum Achievement

Udofia, Ekemini Victor (Nigeria)

* Keys to Success

Mduduzi Adrian Mirimi (South Africa)

* Keys to Success

 

The following student has completed one or more level of study

Sadiq Rita Salamat (Nigeria) has completed Level One

 

Statistics

New Enrollments
4 enrolled in June
20 enrolled in 2025

Book Assessments
8 in June

85 in 2025

Books Shipped

0 in June

4 in 2025

Cost of Books
$0 in June

$73.20 in 2025

You Make It Possible

We extend a special thanks to the following individuals and/or organizations who contributed to IIGL last month. Your ongoing support makes this work possible.

Deb Silver (Israel)

Lynne Murguia (USA/AZ) In Blessed Memory

John Hornecker (USA/NC)

Michael Lightweaver (USA/NC)

Lynda Eze (USA/TX)

Deb Rosen (USA/WI)

Kathleen Oweegon (USA)

 

Make A Difference

Dream Team 22

Please join Dream Team 22 as our goal is to have 22 people contributing $22 per month.  We understand that money is energy and that to sustain and build IIGL we need a lot of people pouring their energy into this endeavor on a regular basis. We also know that not everyone can afford to commit $22 a month – especially our students, who live in countries with economies in which this amount can be equal to a weeks’ salary. So we are offering two options for those who wish to become a part of the Dream Team. One can commit to a $22 a month contribution or to spending 22 seconds each day holding the vision of IIGL becoming financially sustainable by the end of 2025!

Please join the Dream Team and help us create an energetic foundation to support the transformational work of IIGL! You can really make a difference in the world by making a modest contribution of time or money.  To make the $22 a month commitment or a one time donation, click the link below.  To become a member of the Dream Team 22 by committing 22 second a day to help us hold the vision, contact Deb for details:  drosen2@wi.rr.com

Checks on US banks, payable to the International Institute For Global Leadership, can be mailed to IIGL, 11537 N. Lake Shore Drive, Mequon, WI  53092 USA. Contributions may also be made by credit card by clicking the link below. Contributions are tax deductible under the 501 (c) 3 tax code of the United States Internal Revenue Service.

 

To Contribute By Paypal, go to www.paypal.com and make donation to iigl.globalleadership@gmail.com

 

To Contribute By Credit Card, go to global-leadership.com