BY UCHE CHUKWU
The Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW) Africa has engaged select students from different schools across the educational zones on leveraging personal development, global thinking, and big dream for transformational leadership.
The Conference was inspired by the growing concerns about the future of Nigeria and the commitment of the WOW Founder/CEO, Chief Mrs Carol Ugochukwu, and the Executive Director, Attorney Amaka Ada Akudinobi, to raise a new generation of transformational leaders.
The event held at ASUBEB headquarters, Awka, Anambra State capital , weekend, drew teachers and students numbering not less than two thousand.
The programme centred on leveraging on the deployment of AI and other social media platforms for better use in personal development and nation building .
In an opening address, the South-East Coordinator of WOW Africa, Mrs Ethel Eruchalu appreciated the founder/CEO of WOW Africa for thinking globally and setting the stage for developing countries including Nigeria not to nag behind.
Eruchalu noted that the event aimed at training and equipping young ones computer skills sets and AI with integrity and values .
She pointed out that outcome of the transitional programme from Angie to digital life would reflect on literacy, family values, education, youth development , women empowerment, improved healthcare, political participation, and general equality devoid of harmful practices across the continent.
In a Keynote Address, an Information technology expert, Dr. Godspower Ifeanyi Akawu said it was necessary to equip young ones on computer literacy and AI to enhance their professional, technological and academic impartation and position them to compete globally and contribute to national development.
Akawu who is the founder of Frank Power Academy called for intensified action on indigenous technology to steer young ones to fit into global competitiveness and lead as change agents without exposing them to tech addiction.
He warned that no country would achieve technological feat without investment in power and infrastructure. Akawu who is a lecturer at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka announced training/scholarship awards on software engineering, Computer skills, cyber security and AI programmes in his Academy to 60 students selected across the State.
In a presentation on the topic: "Think Global, Act Nigerian: Preparing to Compete on the World Stage," the WOW Africa's Director of Media, Dr. Ify Aronu observed that for any prospective aspirant for presence on the world stage, "you must first know who you are.".
The communication expert noted that the Mawlif Think Possible philosophy begins with two powerful commitments of Mindful Self-Discovery of knowing what one's gift and grounding and the Conscious, Intentional Personal Development,
She said that being Mindful of Self-Discovery: requires someone to launch oneself for the World "Every young person is born with something valuable. But potential does not automatically become achievement.
"You must deliberately discover your strengths, interests, values and abilities. Ask yourself: Who am I? What am I good at? What problems can I solve? What am I passionate about? What kind of impact do I want to make?
Dr. Aronu who is a public speaking coach further reiterated: "Self-discovery is not only about looking inward; it is also about understanding your environment. You are Nigerian. That means your background, challenges, culture and everyday experiences can become sources of insight and innovation. The world does not need another copy of someone else. It needs the best version of you."
In contrast, Aronu pointed out: "Conscious and Intentional Personal Development entails that someone must oneself for the World"
She further said: Discovering yourself is not enough. You must develop yourself. Greatness is not accidental; it is built through conscious choices and intentional habits.,"
According to her, students should read widely, learn new skills, .develop communication, build digital competence, improve emotional intelligence, learn to work with people , be disciplined with your time, seek mentors, and keep learning, even when no one is watching.
She observed that to think global "means exposing yourself to world-class ideas, standards and possibilities.
"Acting Nigerian means using your knowledge, creativity and competence to solve problems and create value from where you are."
For those itching to leave Nigeria before thinking big,, she drops a bomb: "Right in your village here in Anambra, you can build solutions that reach the world.
"The Mawlif Think Possible philosophy is simple:Know yourself.
Develop yourself. Believe in possibilities. Prepare for opportunities. And never allow your circumstances to limit the size of your dreams.
"The world stage is not only for people from somewhere else. It is waiting for you if you know who you are, know what you can do and are willing to become more," Dr. Aronu added.
In a paper presented with the title: "Character Building and Personal Development in a Changing World," His Worship, Magistrate Ujuaku Miriam Elendu noted that character, regardless of educational attainment, has a great asset and determines how far one can go on life . Magistrate Elendu observed that good character has reflected on such virtues as honestly , standing by undiluted truth, empathy, in integrity, self control, integrity.discipline, godly act, good morals, purpose, cohabitation with others, responsibility, , humility, and resilience.
To build character, she suggested practising of small acts, treating failure as a teacher and choosing the hand right.
Elendu said: "Education and connection enhance opportunities, but how far you go and stay there is determined by your character. "
The Senior Magistrate 1 asserted the need for persons of all age brackets to become computer literate, read good books, for enrichment of a person's knowledge and experience, building confidence, master time management and goal setting, , warning against bad habits of "sleeping on phone" 24/7.
According to him, social media platforms have negatively affected some people to the point of get-rich-quick syndrome, lacking empathy such that they prefer to use their cell phones to snap pictures of persons dying, traumatized or in pains to generate followership traffic instead of rendering first aid.
While urging young ones not to follow trends, but to look up to role models to emulate, she noted that the world relies more on men and women with integrity.discipline and purpose, among others.
In his own presentation, a resource person, Paschal Okeke harped on active leveraging on social media and integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into its leadership initiatives to empower women and youth for self reliance and national development . Summarily, the students weighed in on bringing a better version of themselves. living out life as a servant-leader, lifting others, being empathic, role modelling, creating an atmosphere and preaching about what they expect to impact positively on others,