Progressive Anambra Youth (PAY) holds 4th Anambra Youth Empowerment and Leadership Summit (AYELS) with the theme “Raising Global Change Makers for National Leadership” at Awka, Anambra State.
Youth, young leaders and entrepreneurs resident in Anambra State came together yesterday, 27th Sept. 2019 at Kenneth Dike Central library Awka to brainstorm on the way forward for youth in the state and for proffering solutions for challenges facing youth with the theme “Raising Global Change Makers for National Leadership”
The AYELS 2019 had in attendance, experienced and seasoned young speakers from various areas of human endeavours such as politics, entertainment, corporate governance, and academics.
The keynote speakers, Hon. Dr. Ben Nwankwo, a youth leadership mentor, coach and former member of Federal House of Representatives, and Nze Uche Nworah, the MD/CEO of Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) urged the participants and youths to be the change-makers within their environment, laying emphasis on the importance of mentoring youths towards leadership roles.
In his welcome address, Engr. Ifeanyichukwu Ike, the National President of Progressive Anambra Youths enjoined youths to hearken to the words of Martin Luther King “One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has it’s protectors of status quo and it’s fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change”.
“Take responsibility for your environment and be a change maker at your locality” Nworah admonished.
Dr. Ben Nwankwo asserted “greatness is by choice. Change does not come by just desiring it, you make change happen. Leadership is not about position but about action”.
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The discussion panelists, drawn from young leaders and entrepreneurs in various works of life which include Hon. Elijah Onyeagba, a banker, economist and vibrant young politician; Ifeanyi Aniagor, Special Assistant to the Governor of Anambra State on Youth Development and Digital entrepreneurship; Ms. Cynthia Enweonu-Arinze, the Executive director of DECODE and vibrant young lady with experiences in youth development; Engr Ezeilo Chiegboka J, an academic and an astute business administrator; Obi Billion, a young entrepreneur, movie director/producer, and Hon. Nonso Okafor Smart, a young entrepreneur and Member Anambra State House of Assembly, and the founding president of PAY.
The panelist discussed in line with the theme of the summit with elaboration on their personal experiences on leadership, politics, community services, a creative economy and so on.
The summit also featured an exhibition session where one of the exhibitors, Mrs. Nancy Ifeoma Chidebe, a female footwear designer/producer, and the CEO of Nancyshoecraft, an emerging indigenous footwear producer based in Ekwulobia, Anambra State, displayed her products which caught people’s admiration at dexterity of a young woman innovative skills in footwear designing. Fortunately, Mrs. Nancy is a product of PAY who drew her motivations from previous AYELS Programs.
Speaking in an interview with Anaedoonline.com after the summit, the Planning committee chairman of the event, Comr. Chidebe Ifeatu said the AYELS was a flagship programme of Progressive Anambra Youths (PAY) established to provide a platform for mentoring of young leaders and mobilizing them towards participation in governance and economic development. He also emphasized that AYELS provides a platform for meaningful conversations on issues relating to community service, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, and Political Leadership.
Also Speaking in an interview with Anaedoonline.com, Comr C. N. Nwankwo-Arinze, the secretary of PAY said, “AYELS of this year is very significant considering the fact that PAY clocks 10 years this 2019. The participants to the summit were young leaders from various Youth Organisations, Community and Faith-based organisations, students unions leader, and young entrepreneurs.”
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