‘Invite Yourself To The Table,’ Osita Chidoka Charges African Youths
In a stirring keynote address at the Okosisi Colloquium, former Nigerian aviation minister and Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership, Chief Osita Chidoka, called on African youths to grasp the reins of change on the continent.
Chief Chidoka urged African youths not to await invitations but to boldly “invite themselves to the table” by showcasing their value. He stressed the imperative to reverse the trend of ageing leadership and advocated for proactive steps toward governance.
The Colloquium, organised by Zuri Health, a leading health tech company in Africa founded by Ike Arthur Anoke in 2020, convened at The JW Marriott Hotel Nairobi on Friday, 17th May 2024. The event attracted a diverse audience of young people. It featured esteemed speakers, including Mary Mulili, MD, UBA Kenya; Dr. Borna Nyaoke Anoke – Head of The Mycetoma Program, Drugs for Neglected Disease.
The Keynote speakers also included Ambassador Laassel, His Majesty’s Ambassador Kingdom of Morocco to Kenya and South Sudan, and HE Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra state and a prominent Presidential candidate in Nigeria’s 2023 Presidential election.
Drawing from his transformative tenure in modernising Nigeria’s Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Chief Chidoka unveiled his four-step success model, KNVES (Knowledge, Vision, Execute, and Sustain), highlighting the importance of establishing a baseline, fostering a shared vision, effective execution, and sustaining results.
Chief Chidoka’s leadership as the Agency’s Chief Executive Officer yielded tangible outcomes, including significant reductions in road crashes and fatalities, international recognition of Nigerian driver’s licenses, securing a $10 million grant from the World Bank, and obtaining ISO 9001 certification.
Emphasising the potency of youth contribution, Chief Chidoka urged young leaders to harness their energy and fearlessness to drive positive change within their communities, asserting that taking the initiative is the pathway to fostering youth inclusion in governance.
As Africa stands at a critical juncture, Chief Chidoka called for “African youths to rise, lead, and shape a prosperous future.”
For media inquiries, please contact:
Kesiena Jasper Evagberien
Program Lead,
Athena Centre For Policy and Leadership
Email: Info@athenacentre.org
