Etim Imisim
8 July 2009
(Page 2 of 2)
Browne's questions were rhetorical. He already knew the answers to them. According to him, establishing the centre, and by their attending it, both the school and the students have agreed the Nigerian condition should be changed "in an inspiring and humanitarian manner."
The Nnamani centre boss spoke with evident pride about the significance of the American national day and the document which secured it. "This is the day that we Americans cherish and honour as the birth of their nation," he said.
"On that day, 233 years ago, a small group of intrepid men gathered in the confines of a humid and stuffy hall to affix their names to a now famous document, the Declaration of Independence;
"Since then, the American continued, the document has etched its name not only in the history of America but in world history. Since that moment, anywhere people seek justice, thirst for freedom, or hunger for a better day, they cite the words and sentiments expressed in the Declaration of Independence as inspiration and as evidence of the rightness of their stance."
"In Nigeria, we fight not against vast arrays of soldiers and their armaments," he continued. "We fight the armies and battalions of underdevelopment, a foe more relentless and merciless than any of the human variety. Thus, what you confront upon the battleground of history is no less a war and may be even a greater one than the one America fought to claim independence."
Browne concluded that, in a fundamental way, the academy embodied the core principles of the Declaration of Independence.
Academy of Hope
A member of board of trustees of the Nnamani Centre, Chief Joe Okoli, extended further that concept of the academy. According to him, it comes from the one established in ancient Athens by the philosopher, Plato, and that it intended to use the educational methods of that early Greek history of learning.
Among these was the possibility that the students will learn from the academy and they will, in turn, enrich the academy. Athens also had another leadership lesson for the Nnamani academy because Athenians believed that it was the responsibility of citizens to shoulder the responsibilities of society.
Okoli, who is the managing director of the Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), said that his challenge is to educate the Nigerian elite that invest in the welfare of the poor and vulnerable in society is in the interest of everyone. This included mentoring, for which Plato was famous, which is a part of the plans of the academy.
According to Dr. Sam Amadi, the director of programmes and research, the course is a combination of formal instruction and practical exercises. Students will be taught issues of citizenship, governance, economic growth and development.
Others are globalisation, social justice and electoral reforms. In the course of the weeks ahead, experts from the World Bank, DfID, UNDP were expected to feature in the programme.
Private sector leaders were also to deliver some modules of training at the programme. One of them, Mr. Okpachi Momoh, said his company, MTN, was a leader in the communication industry and a believer in positive change and the transformation of society.
Youth academy was launched as a result of the belief that young people have the capacity to play important roles in economic and social development. They are creative and can use creative thought to transform society.
Amadi said that the academy will introduce other interventions in the future to enhance the skills and capabilities of various Nigerian youth.
The first batch of the students started last Saturday and will be running for eight consecutive weekends so that students who are holding regular jobs can also attend.
The programme is a part of the centre's programme on economic prosperity, democratic governance and political stability in the country. Amadi added that it is a faculty for training young people to become leaders who can transform their society.
"The centre's focus on engendering transformative leadership is one critical ingredient missing in our quest for economic and political development," Amadi said.
"We recognise that without transformative leadership, Nigeria will not achieve its national development priorities. The problem of leadership cannot be left solely for elected officials. Civic responsibility is an essential component of national leadership."
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