Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI), a nonprofit organisation, has called on youths in Kogi state to see themselves as change makers.
The JDI said the programme will be conducted in two main phases: an intensive two-week training on strategic subjects like servant leadership, peace and conflict resolution, community building, and fundraising, with a subsequent workplace exchange.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of JDI, Angela Omeiza, made the call in Lokoja on Monday during the official kick-off of the organization’s Leadership Exchange Programme (LEP) for 30 youths in Kogi state.
She explained that the 2-weeks long training programme is aimed at empowering young leaders to become audacious servant leaders and community-builders.
Angela said participants will choose a cause in their community and develop an initiative to proffer solutions to identified issues.
“Today, we are launching the Leadership Exchange Program, which is a flagship program of JDI in Kogi state. This program is sponsored by the U.S Department of States where we’re raising young audacious servant leaders to be community builders. Participants are within the ages of 18 to 35.
“This is an eight months program but we’re launching the program with a two weeks workshop. Other parts of the program includes the participants being engaged in different work. They will be involved in a lot of community work.
“This training is designed to equip participants with the tools needed to lead and inspire others effectively. Through a combination of training workshops, placement with host organisations, virtual engagements, excursions, empathy-building exercises, community development projects and radio appearances, we envision that we would have empowered 30 young people with servant leadership and community building skills.
“The participants will embark on a three-month workplace exchange programme where they will volunteer in various organisations and gain practical skills for their personal and professional development. This unique experience aims to bridge the gap between theory and practice, fostering a sense of responsibility and community service among young leaders.
“At the end of the day, young people will see themselves as change makers. They can advocate for different causes in their community, picking these causes up and saying, this is what I want to do for Kogi State.
“Like I always say, each and every one of us are all part of the problem and we are also part of the solution. So these young people are going to determine the solution that they want to be a part of in Kogi State, and they are going to be giving the support to run with it,” she said.
Angela explained that though JDI has done a lot in areas like access to clean water, mental health, youth empowerment and blood donation, the young servant-leader trainees will be allowed to choose any cause they deem fit for their communities.
“They will have to sit down together and determine which project that they are going to be involved in and we will give them necessary support to succeed.”
JDI disclosed that in addition to the training and workplace exchange, participants would undergo the Gallup Strengths Test, facilitated by a certified trainer, as “this valuable assessment will help them identify their unique strengths, enabling them to maximise their potential and contribute meaningfully to their communities”.
