Press Release
September 12, 2018
Maryland, U.S.A
The Center for Social Awareness, Advocacy and Ethics, Inc. (CSAAE), a youth focused non-profit based in the United States has announced that the Centre will train over 100 aspiring political, media, judicial, religious and business leaders in its Emerging African Leaders Program over the course of three years.
A memo released by the president and founder of the Center, Reverend Father Godswill Agbagwa, a Nigerian Catholic priest and University professor resident in the United States said that the aim of the program is to raise a new generation of Nigerian leaders imbued with strong morals and skill set necessary to navigate Nigeria out of poverty and underdevelopment.
According to Dr. Agbagwa, who also represents African Civil Societies at the World Bank and IMF Civil Society Policy Forum Working Group said that years of military dictatorship, corruption, political instability and poor governance have meant insufficient investments in the country’s infrastructure and basic services. After five decades of independence, and despite its oil and other natural resources, 67% of Nigerians are living below poverty line in 2018.
In order for Nigeria to make progress and ensure that its people enjoy a better quality of life, the country needs a new generation of leaders who can leave a better legacy. With youth under the age of 25 comprising 62 percent of the population, much of the hope for Nigeria’s future lies in its young people. They are the agents of change and critical actors in building a better Nigeria. Ensuring young people develop the capacities, competencies and character necessary to navigate the country out of poverty and under-development is essential to reorienting the country’s values.
Launched in 2013, CSAAE is dedicated to harnessing the potential of young people and providing the kinds of tools and training that allow them to embrace their role as stakeholders in a better Nigeria. The Centre has three programs including the Emerging African Leaders Program (ELP), Career Building and Entrepreneurship Program (CBEP), Students Ethics and Anti-Corruption Network (SEACON) and Network of Effective African Leaders (NEAL), all designed to channel young people into activities that develop leaders of character; cultivate a spirit of entrepreneurship; promote good governance, transparency and accountability in government; and encourage mentorship among future leaders.
First and second year students in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions, ages 16 – 21, are encouraged to apply to the Emerging African Leaders Program which focuses on raising critical actors in nation building (including aspiring political, judicial, media, religious and business leaders) committed to the common good of Nigerians.
Successful applicants will kick-off the 3-year free training with an induction ceremony at the Centre’s Foundation Conference and Impact dinner coming up on November 22, 2018, at Top Rank Hotel, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, where leading African leaders will be addressing the future leaders.
Interested youths are encouraged to apply at http://csaaeinc.org/elp/ on or before September 30th, 2018.