AEF-funded project completes second batch of Ubuntu Leaders Academy training: 25 university students and working professionals in Nigeria trained

The Ubuntu Leaders Academy (ULA), Nigeria, has successfully concluded the second batch of its leadership training under the Ubuntu Club Intercultural Exchange Program (UCIEP), which is being funded by the Africa-Europe Foundation (AEF).

25 high-potential candidates drawn from the University of Ibadan, Pan African University, Lead City University, and professional fields were trained in Ubuntu methodology for leadership as part of efforts to prepare young ones for future leadership positions in order to attain greatness.

The week-long training programme, held at the University of Ibadan conference centre in Ibadan, Oyo state, instilled the participants with Ubuntu and servant leadership principles.

Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, University of Ibadan, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba, said that the students studying various courses at undergraduate or postgraduate levels were nominated by their respective faculties, while the professionals came from the military, media, medical, agriculture, and business sectors.

The Country Coordinator, Ubuntu Leader Academy Nigeria, Engineer Ako Eyo Oku, in her message, said that the training sessions of the Ubuntu training programme were at the instance of Ubuntu Leaders Academy, with assistance from the Africa-Europe Foundation, under the approval of the Oyo state Ministry of Education.

Engineer Ako Eyo Oku said that participants at the training benefitted from in-depth training on the Ubuntu methodology, which included the three dimensions, five pillars, and five themes of Ubuntu.

The sessions, she said, were interactive and involved group activities, personal reflections, and storytelling, as well as film screenings.

The three dimensions of Ubuntu, which the participants were trained on, included ethics of care (care for self, others, and the environment), bridge building, and servant leadership. They were also educated on the five pillars of Ubuntu, namely self-knowledge, self-confidence, resilience, empathy, and service.

The training sessions, jointly facilitated by the Club Coordinator of the University of Ibadan, Mr. Peter Komolafe, and five other Ubuntu trainers, were engaging and transforming. They advised participants to reflect on what they have acquired from the training and imbibe it in their activities.

The training sessions to the participants were interactive and involved group activities, personal reflections and storytelling, which in their submissions has made them view issues differently, with a resolve to imbibe the virtues of the training in their daily activities.

The story of former South African President, Nelson Mandela, in their submissions has made them see forgiveness from other perspectives.

The training and intercultural exchange for Secondary schools, Tertiary institutions and professionals is a one-year project called Ubuntu club intercultural exchange programme, which comprises Ubuntu week training and intercultural exchanges between Ubuntu leaders in Nigeria and other countries of the world.

It would be recalled that in August 2024, 70 students and 20 teachers in secondary schools were trained in an Ubuntu week, which was followed by the launching of Ubuntu clubs and, commemoration of the United Nations General Assembly in October, which kicked off the Ubuntu international cultural exchanges.

The Ubuntu week for tertiary institutions will be followed by Intercultural exchanges for the tertiary students.

The one-year project which began in August 2024, is expected to come to an end in July 2025.