23 Young Leaders Inducted into Simi Olusola Youth in Politics Fellowship Maiden Cohort
By Ndifreke Enefiok, Uyo
The Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN) has inducted 23 young leaders into the maiden cohort of the Simi Olusola Youth in Politics Fellowship (SOYIPF), in a bid to immortalise and honour the legacy of Simioluwa.
The two-day capacity building organised in honour of the late Mandela Washington Fellow, Simioluwa who passed on during the fellowship in the US in 2024, was funded by US Consulate Nigeria.
The fellowship held in Uyo from May 27th-28th, aims to equip young leaders with keen interest in politics with practical knowledge, and skills needed to participate meaningfully in the Nigerian political space.
The fellowship brought together 23 fellows selected from over 100 applicants across the state, as well as seasoned facilitators drawn from different sectors.
Speaking to journalists at the opening event, Mr Michael Benjamin, MWFAAN’s Programme Lead, noted that the fellowship seeks to “inspire youth, particularly women, to step forward and participate in politics.”
Benjamin stressed that young people bring the innovation and creativity politics desperately needs, and that the fellowship was created to ensure no dream of change dies with Simioluwa.
“This programme is set to inspire youth in politics, especially women in respect to one of our Mandela Washington fellows who died in the US while we were having this fellowship. The fellowship is to honour her legacy and what she stood for which include, women participation in politics, and youth empowerment.
“For long, young people have been on the sideline watching, this fellowship is about building their confidence and competence to engage actively in politics because young people have the innovation, creativity our politics needs. Also, this is our first cohort and we look forward to other cohorts which will be taking place in other states,” Benjamin stated.
On the purpose of the fellowship, James Akan, Publicity Secretary of MWFAAN, noted that the programme was conceived to immortalise Simi Olusola’s legacy of youth and women empowerment
According to him, “Over the years, MWFAAN has had projects across Nigeria, but this is the first of its kind, and particularly dear to us because Simi was a vibrant activist who stood for youth and women empowerment. We decided to bring the first cohort to Akwa Ibom State because the youth here have the passion and willingness to learn and participate in politics,” Akan said.
He further stressed the need to shift the current narrative around youth participation in politics, noting “We believe that before young people can engage meaningfully in politics, they need knowledge, skills and a shift in mindset. That’s what we are doing with this fellowship,” MWFAAN Publicity Secretary added.
Delivering a talk on “Navigating the African Political Context,” Akparawa Michael Bush harped on the importance of self-awareness and personal development in leadership, noting that a “leader must know when to speak, when to be silent, and must be invested in doing rather than proving. What you read, hear, and see shapes how you lead.”
Mr Raphael Edem, Senior Special Assistant on Brand Management and Marketing, Akwa Ibom State Government, speaking on ‘’Communication, Public Relations and Media Strategy for Effective Community Mobilisation”, highlighted the importance of trust-building, strategic communication in leadership, relationship management, action planning in driving grassroots change.
Edem also explored case studies that underscore the power of storytelling in influencing public opinion.
The training also had Hon. Ifiokobong Asuquo, a former Councillor who dissected the issues in “Ethical Leadership and Accountability.”
Other facilitators include, Dr Aniekan Ekefre who spoke on “Leadership Skills for Africa’s Political Landscape”, Barr. Uyi Effiom, Mr Aniekeme Finbarr, among others.
Highpoint of the training was the presentation of certificate of participation to the fellows and facilitators.