We had a marvelous Youth Empowerment Program at EDUCARE Trust in Ibadan, Nigeria today February 28, 2024; the following schools participated:

1. The Vale College, Iyaganku GRA
2. Methodist Grammar School, Bodija
3. Oba Abass Aleshinloye Grammar School, Eleyele
4. Immanuel College High School, Orita UI.

Twenty-one high school students and their teachers participated in this highly interactive session. Emphasizing the power of the breath, we started today’s program with a simple yet powerful breathing exercising.  Next I introduced the importance of Africa’s philosophical traditions as exemplified by UBUNTU, meaning I am because we are. I then introduced the participants to the Best Self Methodology, which is drawn from Positive Organizational Scholarship (POS), a branch of Leadership Studies.  I encouraged the students  to think of Positive Organizational Scholarship when they see POS instead of the other POS so popular in Nigeria–Point of Sale.  Research in POS found that when we bring our Best Self into the equation, families, schools, communities and nations thrive. This highly interactive Youth Empowerment Program engaged students; they had to consider their own lived experience and identify concrete examples of when they showed up as their best. Each student and their accompanying teacher received a Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) lapel pin, a pocket-sized card with a positive affirmation with a set of questions for reflection.  In addition, working in small groups, students identified the qualities and characteristics of leaders they admire. The instructions clearly stated, you do not have to agree, instead listen respectfully. There was much, much more…in the end participants said program was inspirational, life-changing, educational, exciting, fun and worthwhile.  As you can see, I am excited to reach more of our YOUTH! I thank my host institution, Lead City University and the Fulbright Specialist Program for supporting my project “The Arts and Generative Leadership.”