THMP holds Emerging Leaders Summit

Ituah Ighodalo, John Dara, Omasan Buwa, Matilda Kerry, George Ashiru, Akintokunbo Adejumo, Patricia Omoqui and Theunis Van Rensburg speak on leadership principles, practices and potential

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Mr. John Dara, Dr. Matilda Kerry, Revd George Ashiru and Mr. Akintokunbo Adejunmo
 

Saturday June 26 witnessed the gathering of some of Nigeria’s top emerging leaders under the auspices of the Town Hall Meeting Project, a project convened by George Ashiru. The six hour program anchored and moderated by Ayodeji Jeremiah, (Editor TIMELESS) and Lilian Imoni, (Project Coordinator SIEF) featured video presentations by the Thought Dr. and internationally recognized speaker, life coach and writer Patricia Omoqui and the South African IT specialist, visionary and activist, Theunis Van Rensburg. Other speakers at the occasion were Editor-in-Chief of TIMELESS magazine, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo; the convener, Revd George Ashiru; presidential candidate of the National Transformation Party, Mr. John Dara; former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (1987) and now Executive Assistant to the Delta State Governor, Ms. Omasan Buwa; another former Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (2000) Dr. Matilda Kerry; and founder and Global Coordinator of Champions For Nigeria, Mr. Akintokunbo Adejumo.

A cross section of participants at the summit

The discussions centred on topics like Transforming Nigerian Politics; Is Nigeria a Country or a Nation; Why I am in Politics; The Kind of Leader Nigeria Needs; Activating Our Visions; Nigeria: Past, Present and Future amongst others.

Lilian Imoni and Ayodeji Jeremiah
 

THMP is a cause dedicated to the collation of the views, ideas, ideals, values and mission concerning the Nigerian nation with the primary goal of having a popularly influenced blueprint in 10 areas of much needed reform in community, state and national existence. THMP, which is also involved in community action, good governance and citizenship initiatives, is completely apolitical and secular in its scope and nature. The members and coordinators are volunteers and patriots who are dedicated to the well being of the Governance and people of Nigeria.

A cross section of participants at the summit

The group held the summit as part of its objectives in raising and empowering a new generation of leaders, and as part of its mission in providing forums where Nigerians can tackle various issues of national importance through brainstorming.

Mrs. Eniola Afolabi and Revd George Ashiru

Here is a summary of major points at the discourse:

1. Not all leaders are born, a lot are made. Even those born into leadership have to be taught leadership traits and principles.

2. Leadership should be taught from childhood and the teenage years. Organisations such as the Boys Scout should be reinvigorated across the country.

3. Leadership is all about fixing problems and not about looting or abandoning ship when things go wrong.

4. Future leaders have to be mentored.

5. Mentors have to see the potential in others, set achievable goals for their protégés, accept their protégés and show genuine love, care and concern and celebrate their successes.

6. Nigerians have to get actively involved in the political and electoral process rather than just complaining all the time. ‘We have to walk our talk.’

7. Nations move forward because citizens have confidence in their leaders. This is called social mobilization. It is time Nigerians start having leaders that they can have confidence in.

8. Drastic and sacrificial solutions are needed to change Nigeria. Nigerians must be ready to make such sacrifices.

9. We need visionary leaders that can address the faulty foundations on which our country was built.

10. We need good people as leaders who can talk to the people, be accountable to the people, selfless and passionate leaders who are intelligent and can think, and who are ready to work tirelessly hard for Nigeria.

11. Values such as hard work, truth, honesty, intelligence and integrity need to be brought back and celebrated in our country.

12. Nigeria is a great country with all the necessary human and mineral resources. What is therefore lacking are good people who are available but unwilling to offer themselves for leadership positions because of the complexities of the system. We need to look for such people.

13. It is time that religious organisations, schools and families start teaching people how to be good people in the society.

14. Leaders are planners. Aspiring leaders must start building skills that will enable them prepare adequately for future leadership positions.

15. We need discipline to build a great country and such discipline must start from our individual lives, homes and churches or mosques. Discipline by legislation as witnessed during the Buhari/Idiagbon regime should be eschewed by all Nigerians.

16. Rebuilding Nigeria is the collective responsibility of all Nigerians.

Project 1960: Do you know any Nigerian born in October 1960?

Project 1960 is research aimed at discovering, studying and documenting the lives of 50 Nigerians born in October 1960. The stories of these people will be used to tell the story of Nigeria, its culture and traditional beliefs, its politics, its good qualities and its challenges and also carry out an appraisal of the country as a nation.


The project will tell the story of our dear country from another perspective and also serve as a valuable material to all Nigerians, Africans and the world at large who want to study Nigeria and its people in a unique way. It will also serve in profiling solutions to our overwhelming problems as a nation while bringing hope to the younger generation.

The project will involve interviews with 50 Nigerians born in October 1960, which will then be compiled in a book form. The book will also feature a detailed introduction on the pre and post independence history of the nation.
 
Are you a Nigerian, born October 1960? If your answer is yes, then please send the following details below to the email address provided and get ready to be part of the Project 1960. Following the receipt of your details, we will contact you to set up an interview.


Details Needed
Name
Date of Birth
Place of Birth
Gender
Country of Residence
Phone Number
Email Address

RCCG Apapa Family holds Third Annual Excel Conference

... endows N45 million Professorial Chair in Mathematics at University of Ibadan

... E. A. Adeboye, Myles Munroe, Rotimi Amaechi, Agu Irukwu speak on Leading Change

Pastor Adeboye being welcome on his arrival at TBS, venue of the programme

The third in the series of the annual Excel conference of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Apapa Family group of churches took place on Saturday, June 5, 2010 and Sunday, June 6, 2010 with the theme ‘Leading Change.’ The programme started with the Leadership Summit and Dinner held at the New Banquet Hall of Eko Hotels, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday June 5 at 5.00pm while the Celebration Service held on Sunday June 6 at 7.00 am at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos with Pastor E.A. Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God ministering. Other speakers at the two day conference were Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, Executive Governor of Rivers State; Dr. Myles Munroe of the Bahamas Faith Ministries International and Pastor Agu Irukwu, Senior Pastor of RCCG Jesus House in London.

Pastor Bret Johnson with Professor Joe Irukwu

Guests at the Leadership Summit and Dinner included Princess Sarah Sosan, Deputy Governor of Lagos State; Professor Anya Anya; Elder S.M. and Chief Mrs. Toyin Olakunrin; Pastor Ben Akabueze, Lagos State Commissioner for Budget and Planning; Dr. And Mrs. Okey Onuzo; Mr. Ranti Akerele, Honourable Commissioner for Information in Ondo State; Chief Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite, ICAN President; Mr. Marvel Akpoyibo, Lagos State Police Commissioner; Pastor Brett Johnson of the Institute for Innovation, Integration and Impact; Professor Joe Irukwu, elder statesman and former chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo; Mr. Atedo Peterside, chairman IBTC Stanbic; Mrs. Bola Adesola, Executive Director, First Bank; Mr. Donald Duke, former Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State and Mr. Chike and Mrs. Funke Ogeah, former MD of SAHCOL.

Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade and Princess Sarah Sosan

Pastors of the Redemmed Christian Church of God present at the occasion were Pastor Bimpe Mfon, matriarch of the Apapa Family; Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, host and head of the Apapa Family; Pastor Deola Mensah, head of RCCG Lagos Province 5; Pastor Remi Morgan, head of RCCG Lagos Province 24; Pastor Sola Balogun, head of RCCG Lagos Province 15; Pastor Jide Ojurongbe, head of RCCG Oyo Province 4; Pastor Ghandi Olaoye, Senior Pastor of RCCG Jesus Centre, Washington DC; Pastor Ayo Adesola; Pastor Tokunbo Adesanya and Pastor Femi Atoyebi, head of Lagos Province 2 amongst others.

Dr. Myles Munroe, Pastor Ghandi Olaoye and Governor Rotimi Amaechi

Pastor Idowu Iluyomade in his welcome address enumerated the various social responsibility projects of the family saying the mandate of the family marks its members out as people and leaders of change and distinction. Amongst the various social responsibility projects include the endowment of a Professorial Chair in Mathematics at the University of Lags for the sum of N50 million naira last year and the endowment of another N45 million Professorial Chair in Mathematics at the University of Ibadan, which was presented at this year’s conference. On hand to receive the cheque were Professor Adigun Agbaje, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics); Professor K.O. Adebowale, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Dr. E.O. Ayoola, HOD of the Department of Mathematics, all of the University of Ibadan. Pastor Iluyomade speaking on the theme of this year’s conference said what drives change is leadership and leaders have to take ownership of initiatives that will bring change and galvanise the political and social system.

Pastor Adeboye presenting a N48 million cheque to officials of the University of Ibadan

Mrs. Sosan in her address asked for God’s blessings upon the RCCG Apapa Family acknowledging the great strides the family has made in Nigeria. She said the work of the family helps the state government in solving most of the problems of the state and in alleviating poverty. Dr. Munroe commended the governors of Lagos and Rivers state for their leadership noting the great works both are doing in their respective states. Governor Rotimi Amaechi asked Nigerians to get actively involved in the electoral process and ensure that everyone’s votes count in the forthcoming elections. He said this is the only way to make leaders accountable to the people.

Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, Master of Ceremony and Chairman, Planning Committee

Dr. Munroe in his delivery spoke on the Cost of Change. Leadership, he said can change the mindset and mentality of the followers. Leadership can create action where there was hesitation, courage where there was cowardice, optimism where there was cynicism, and strength where there was weakness. A leader can create a spirit of hope where there was despair. Leadership he said determines the mentality, the destiny, the attitude, and the commitment of the followers. “An army of sheep led by a lion will always defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. Nothing changes without effective, sensitive and spiritually based leadership. Leadership is the cause of all our problems and also the solution to all our problems. You can only lead people to the degree of the future that you have gone yourself. The act of leadership is taking people from where they are to where they have never been before. The result of true leadership is discomfort and change. The most important source of leadership is vision.” He concluded by saying leadership never ends, only leaders end. He also advised present leaders to focus on developing future leaders saying “we must not just focus on change immediately but focus on those who will bring about change in the future.” He commended the family for the setting up of 22 new youth churches within the last one year. 

Pastor Agu Irukwu and Pastor Ghandi Olaoye

Pastor Agu Irukwu in his presentation said the Church is the most important institution with respect to change. He gave examples of countries where major dramatic changes have come about saying the church was in the forefront of such changes. Using Matthew 5:13 as his scripture, he said the change that came about in countries like the United States, Great Britain, and South Korea was brought about largely by the role of the Church. He encouraged the Apapa Family to be in the forefront of change in Nigeria noting that the family was a church birthed in change.

Pastor Bimpe Mfon with Elder and Chief Mrs. Olakunrin