AYM Symposium
The AYMP Nigerian Chapter Symposium
The physical Symposium for the Nigeria Chapter was held at Impact Hub, Ikoyi, Lagos, on the 21st October 2023. The theme for the event was: Building young Leaders: Technological and Entrepreneurial skills for the advancement of the African Region. The diverse category of audience at this event includes secondary schools; CMS grammar school and Down College, Lekki, Undergraduates, early and mid career professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders in the political field.
The welcome address given by the visionary founder of PYDI and pioneer of this project Miss Esther Ajudeonu revalidated the commitment of the organisation in providing opportunities for young people to aid the development of the African continent. She further unveiled the long-term plan for the symposium event by announcing that this event will happen yearly, also welcoming partnerships for the event next year.
In conclusion she charged everyone present in the room to take charge and begin to solve the challenges the find around their local communities. The keynote speech given by Dr Yvonne Chioma Ofodile, CEO Zetile Oil and Gas, highlighted key tools that will aid the advancement of the African Region which are; Investment in Education, Youth Empowerment, Gender equality, Mentorship, personal development, and Culture preservation by the future generation.
The event further featured panel sessions on Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Innovation respectively. Mrs Scholarstica Nneka Oyeniyi-Abass who currently serves as the Senior Special Assistant, Special Duties, to the Governor of Lagos State graced the event as the speaker during the Leadership panel session. She generously shared her wealth of knowledge in the political field, also sharing her journey into politics. In her words: “if you don’t have a position, you can also lead you don’t need to have a position before you can lead. A good leader must know how to be tough, humble, kind, and defensive.”
The second panel had speakers from various industries, ESV Chidinma Nwaka- GM Affable homes, Zigwai Fanda- CEO Lady Bamboo, Ayoola Gbade-Bello, CEO Bedouin, Abigail Jefia, Consulting Engineer CISCO, who spoke on the need for youth to be innovative and seek ways to become entrepreneurs, emphasized on the need to be consistent and build the right networking skills and to be more knowledgeable in whatever field you are.
AYMP Symposium, Cameroon Chapter
During AYMP Youth Symposium Cameroon , we highlighted some factors that can hinder Youth engagement in community development and besides inadequate resources, there is also lack of information which the Next Generation Fellows of the UN Foundation are trying to solve in the Engine Room.
We gave an opportunity for the Youths to share their point of view and personal experiences and challenges they face daily. It was quite interesting to find out that most of their challenges centred around lack of moral support from friends and family members who think that it’s a waste of time.
15 participants were selected to benefit from the Content Developer Scholarship from our Partner Amaan Digital. Content creation skills are lifelong skills that will enable them create content for Advocacy or Entrepreneurship for self-sustainability.
We want to thank our sponsors, expert speakers, participants, Next Generation Fellows of UN Foundation, AYMP project leads and coordinators for this amazing opportunity for African Youths to collaborate, build leadership skills, get access to mentors, grants, fellowships and other career opportunities for self sustainability.
AYMP Symposium, Uganda Chapter
52 Youths registered with 56% females and 44% male corresponding to an average age group of 23years. We could tell how passionate they are as 41 of them were willing to be volunteers during the event as ushers, panelist, speakers, photographer etc
The symposium held at Ndejje University on the 15th of September 2023 was a significant event that brought together students, expert speakers, and volunteers from Amplified Voices Uganda to celebrate International Youth Day.
The dean of students, Mr. Kyazze, and the coordinator of AYMP opened the event with a welcome speech, introducing the mission and vision of Amplified Voices Uganda, which focuses on promoting and protecting the rights of children in Uganda through various approaches.
The first presenter, Mr. Mwesige, a certified trainer of ILO and Bank of Uganda, emphasized the importance of self-motivation and goal-setting for participants. He encouraged students to save, develop a business plan, and conduct market research for sustainable business ventures. The Q&A session highlighted practical concerns of students, including the decision to add more capital to a business and balancing multiple goals such as business, education, politics, and family.
The second presentation by Tabittha Namwone from Outbox organization introduced the HI INNOVATOR project, supporting entrepreneurs with a business short course and capital funded by NSSF Uganda. She outlined the application process, the virtual nature of the course, and the financial support available for registered businesses with at least two years of operation.
The third speaker, Mr. Kasirye Hakim, director of Career Chapter Africa, shared his entrepreneurial journey and stressed the importance of passion, goals, and reflection in entrepreneurship. He advised students to have patience, discipline, and mentors in their pursuits. Ms. Lillian Nkamwesiga shared her testimony, highlighting the role of social capital in her career development, and encouraged students to start small investments during their university years.
The event concluded with a Q&A session, where participants expressed gratitude for the valuable information and sought contacts for future guidance. The guest speakers agreed to offer free consultancies to students. The symposium underscored the significance of such events in tertiary institutions, with the possibility of organizing more discussions in the future upon mutual agreement between institutions and organizers. Overall, the symposium provided students with practical insights, career guidance, and a platform for networking and mentorship.
AYMP Symposium, Liberia Chapter
We are thrilled to present this report on the inaugural symposium that marked the first phase of the African Youth Mentorship Project, held on August 12, 2023. This momentous event was a testament to the dedication and vision of Madam Esther Ajudeonu, who spearheaded the project’s establishment, coordination, and supervision across the African continent. The symposium would not have been possible without the invaluable contributions of coordinators from various countries, whose diligent efforts were pivotal in its planning.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors and partners, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in advancing the cause of human development for the African region. Building the capacity of our youth to access opportunities and thrive is central to achieving Africa’s sustainable future. The support we have received from our sponsors, including Coca-Cola Liberia and Ducor Mineral Water Company, was truly significant, as it helped alleviate some of the challenges posed by funding constraints. As we embark on the second phase of this project, we call upon our partners and sponsors to continue their collaboration, for it is only through our collective efforts that we can work towards making Africa great.
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