Experience Academy Inaugurates Youth Incubation Hub in Akwa Ibom to shape Leadership, Entrepreneurship
The Experience Academy marked a significant step in youth empowerment on April 7, 2025, with the launch of its Youth Incubation Hub.
According to the Academy, the hub will focus on shaping and igniting leadership and entrepreneurship potentials of young people.
The event was a key component of an impactful 5-Day Skills Building Workshop, commencing with a session led by Dr. Sharon Hills, the Academic Director of the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Georgia State University.
Dr. Hills provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders, explaining the rigorous selection process of the Reciprocal Exchange program, and conveyed her strong belief in its potential to transform the lives of beneficiaries in Akwa Ibom State.
The launch underscored a significant international collaboration with the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience, evidenced by the active participation of James Akan, a U.S. Reciprocal Exchange Awardee.
The initial day of intensive training equipped participants with foundational skills crucial for future success, including Leadership principles, effective Digital Communication strategies, the art of impactful Storytelling, fostering Self-Awareness, and the dynamics of successful Team Collaboration.
The momentum of the workshop continued throughout the week, delivering impactful learning experiences. Midweek sessions featured comprehensive recaps of previous lessons, coupled with a focused exploration of identifying and leveraging individual leadership strengths.
Participants also engaged in practical, hands-on workshops centered on the production of marketable skills such as Hair Cream and Liquid Soap manufacturing. The programme addressed essential soft skills, with dedicated sessions aimed at bolstering confidence for effective communication and mastering authentic public speaking.
The programme reached its zenith with a grand finale that facilitated valuable feedback from participants and featured an engaging session led by the Yali Akwa Ibom State Coordinator. The Coordinator shared insightful experiences in navigating leadership challenges and resolving team crises, with a particular emphasis on empowering youth in leadership roles.
In her remarks, Comfort Effiom, a distinguished 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow, who came in from Abuja to deliver a motivating session on crafting compelling elevator pitches, challenged participants to articulate their ideas with clarity and impact.
The concluding day also included a formal certificate award ceremony, recognizing the dedication and successful completion of the training modules by the participants.
Earlier in the week, Akparawa Aniekeme Finbarr, a renowned Journalist and Public Speaker, led a session on Personal Branding and Strategic Networking, underscoring the significance of cultivating a strong personal brand. Engr. Harrison subsequently guided participants through the intricacies of developing robust Business Plans and delivering persuasive pitches to potential investors. Evelyn Eyo further enriched the program by providing expert instruction on the Art of Networking and Building Personal Relationships, fostering an environment conducive to strategic collaboration among the attendees.
The Experience Academy thanked its partners, particularly the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Sustainability and Resilience, for their unwavering support in translating the vision of the Mandela Washington Fellowship project into a tangible and impactful reality for the youth of Akwa Ibom State.
Earlier in his remarks, the United States Reciprocal Exchange Awardee and convener of the Youth Incubation Hub, James Akan expressed his deep appreciation for the significant support provided by the United States Department of State, IREX, and all the dedicated facilitators who contributed to the success of the transformative 5-Day Skill Programme.
He extended his gratitude to his project team Peadafrica and Enactus University of Uyo team for availing their technical expertise for the success of the 5 Day Skill Programme.
“Looking forward, The Experience Academy remains steadfast in its commitment to expanding its reach and ambitiously aims to increase the number of beneficiaries in future editions, solidifying its role as a catalyst for youth empowerment and socio-economic development”, he added.