By Okechukwu Onuegbu
Ashoka Africa, a nongovernmental and not-for-profit largest network of social entrepreneurs worldwide, has launched its presence in Anambra State with vision of producing agents of change, innovators and societal reorientation.
The network of over 4000 fellows and 10,000 venturers across 95 countries of the world in partnership with Anambra State Ministries of Education and Culture, Tourism and Entertainment at a groundbreaking ceremony held in Awka, the State capital and attended by teachers, students and youth, re-echoed its message of change making and problem solving.
Speaking at the programme, the Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Entertainment, Mr Don Onyenji, explained that the State was happy to embrace the network in promoting the Igbo co-value of entrepreneurship, industriousness, respect and honesty.
Onyenji, who posited that governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration frown at crimes and criminalities, asked the younger generation to join the network in identifying societal problems they could address and seek relevant knowledge where possible capable of empowering them to address them.
The commissioner also reiterated the call for registration of all traditional religious dealers in the State with a view to reduce a situation whereby people engage in unlawful businesses in pretense of promoting culture or alternative medicine.
“ Some people who engages in unlawful business do seek services of some native doctors to provide them with services to carry out their negative business such as yahoo, kidnapping, okeite, amongst others,” he added.
Also speaking, the Anambra State Commission for Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma- Udeh, represented by permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr Ify Agbaizu, described ASHOKA as expert in social behavior reformation whose services were needed to save the younger generation from social ills.
According to Chuma- Udeh, students were drawn from 10 schools across the state to learn from Ashoka and form proper orientation for peace and development of the State in line with governor Chukwuma Soludo’s message of building a prosperous homeland.
She urged parents to train their children based on core values and beliefs of the people which includes respect, honesty, and hard work, with a view to build a greater future.
On his part, the Co-President, Ashoka Africa, Mr Okechukwu Uzoechina, hinted that “Everyone a Changemaker” was anchored on a vision to lite Anambra through culture and education which he hopes to become a household language.
“With this historic step, Changemaking is set to become a household language in Anambra and a core skillset mastered by young people, students, teachers, education stakeholders, youth leaders, adults, organizations, and the government. Ashoka envisions an “Everyone a Changemaker” world—a world where every girl, boy, woman, and man has the confidence, freedom, and support to identify and design solutions for the common good, tackle challenges, and create a better future in both small and bold ways.
According to him, the changemaker for culture and education (CACE) initiatives was on a transformative journey designed to engage, inspire and activate education and culture stakeholders in Anambra leveraging on rich cultural heritage, educational opportunities and changemaking skills, with a view to foster positive social transformations, equip young people, teachers and adults with lifelong changemaking skills and mindset.
The expected skills to be acquired via the network includes conscious empathy-based living for the good of all, new leadership skills, open and fluid team of teams and practicing changemaking.
“By incorporating traditional values such as Nwe obi nwanne, Igwe bu ike, Idozi obodo, and community building as elements of a new form of education which is founded on mindset shift, the initiative ensures that all Anambrarians are empowered to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. From Awka, CACE Initiative and partners will move to Onitsha on Friday, January 24, where it will engage and activate young people, youth leaders, influencers, and the media,” he added.
To bring the power of “Everyone a Changemaker” to everyone in Nigeria, Ashoka Africa and its partners have activated teams of co-leaders of the movement in Enugu, Lagos, Abuja, and Kaduna, with plans to expand to Calabar and Yola through active leadership on the ground, the teams and their communities are also empowering others by organizing community dialogue, co-creating transformative programs, teacher activation programs, changemaker squads in schools, and cultural events that integrate changemaking principles.
“ For instance, storytelling sessions rooted in Igbo folklore and value system are paired with empathy and team-building exercises, helping children and young people see themselves as problem-solvers and change agents in their families, schools and communities. With collective support from the government, the media, publishers, unions, the private sector, schools of education, teachers, parents, youth leaders, cultural leaders, influencers, Ashoka Fellows, and Ashoka Young Changemakers, the CACE Initiative is designed to shape a generation of inspired and empowered citizens equipped to tackle challenges of the 21st century and drive meaningful change in their communities, in Nigeria and the world,” he added.
Speaking in an interview, a member of Ashoka Africa, Mr Ozioma Anaeto, affirmed that by targeting children and youth, the network would help in building a successful society by amplifying people voices and activating the super power in all to contribute positively.
Miss Favour Effiom, while sharing her experience in changemaking, urged the younger generation not to stop talking when they identify problems as the society would learn and contribute resources towards enabling them to impact positively.
Some of the participants, Mr Nicholas Onuorah, a student of St Anthony Secondary school, Ikenga, expressed optimism that ASHOKA’s messages would be embraced by the society for betterment of all, while a teacher from Girl High School, Aguata Local Government Area, Mrs Rita Enyolu assured that she would assist in promoting their messages to the students.