Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship Summit 2024

A Non-Governmental Organization, United Mission For Rural And Urban African Community Empowerment, held its maiden Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship Summit at the Atrium Event Center, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, to cast searchlights on leadership and entrepreneurship.

Introduction

Themed “Empower, Create and Lead," it was a convergence of thought leaders, foreigners, politicians, clerics, monarchs, students, members of the organization, youth corps members, and aspiring leaders to explore the concept of entrepreneurship and effective leadership, share best practices, and develop leadership skills.

It was a strategic discourse designed to highlight entrepreneurship as well as essential leadership attributes juxtaposing the same with effective governance and policy.

Event Overview

The Executive Director/National Coordinator, United Mission For Rural and Urban African Community Empowerment, Dr. Douglas Fabeke, while speaking at the event, said the summit, which is a one-day event organized by the Organization, is saddled with the responsibility to address various issues in Africa which include:

• Ensuring that rural communities have access to quality education.
• Improving the living standards of the poor, disadvantaged, and marginalized groups in society.
• Empowering young people with skills acquisition, agricultural training, and development.
• Providing scholarship funds and educational resources for brilliant and indigent students to facilitate their attainment of educational goals.
• Creating synergy with local and international organizations for the promotion of environmental attitudes and socio-economic upliftment.
• Community development, network advocacy, and human rights defense for indigenous people.

He reiterated the organization's readiness to address the challenges of good governance in our society through the well-organized structure which cuts across 23 Local Government Areas in Rivers, and other states in the Federation.

Dr. Fabeke said the essence of the summit is to bring together individuals who are passionate about driving innovation, fostering collaboration, and inspiring change in their respective fields. This also serves as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and best practices to empower attendees to become effective leaders and successful entrepreneurs, while also promoting investment opportunities in all sectors of the economy.

He said the organization is determined to see that the youths of Rivers State are transformed into leaders, but we are very much aware that this cannot be achieved without the government. The government needs to take the lead when it comes to leadership.

"As we stand on the threshold of a new era, the role of leadership and entrepreneurship has never been more vital. Our world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, presenting both challenges and opportunities. It is our duty, as stewards of tomorrow, to equip our youth with the skills, knowledge, and mindset to navigate this ever-changing landscape," he said.

Dr. Fabeke added: "When we talk about investing in grassroots, we are talking about providing support to small businesses and startups, revitalizing local economies, and ensuring access to basic amenities such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure. By doing so, we create a fertile ground for entrepreneurship to flourish, for talents to be nurtured, and for opportunities to abound.

"However, investment in grassroots initiatives alone is not sufficient. We must also recognize the critical role of government in laying the groundwork for sustainable job creation and education, particularly for our youth. The youth represent the future of our state and nation at large, and it is incumbent upon us to equip them with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed."

Key Speakers

Representatives of the Chartered Institute of Leadership and Governance, United States of America, Mr. Tamer Naci Hotomaroglu, Mrs. Usifor Margaret, and Seda Diker, in their speeches, said they are committed to exposing Rivers youths to agriculture and the production of tea, among other entrepreneurship skills, and to contributing their quota to raising the next generation of leaders.

Other speakers at the event were: Dr. Lynn Ujiagbe, Engr. Derefaka Nga, Yonda Agbeniga, Babs Abolarin, and Anthony James A, among others.

Conclusion

The Global Leadership and Entrepreneurship Summit 2024 by the United Mission For Rural And Urban African Community Empowerment was a significant step towards addressing leadership and entrepreneurship challenges in Africa. It provided a platform for thought leaders and aspiring leaders to collaborate, share insights, and inspire change.