By John Ikani
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has organized a three-day leadership retreat for state governors, in a move aimed at fostering enhanced governance.
Heritage Times [HT] gathered that the three-day initiative, supported by the UN agency, is set to commence today in Kigali, Rwanda.
The program, co-organized by the UNDP and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), seeks to empower governors with the vital leadership competencies required for exceptional governance, inclusive practices, innovation, collaborative relationships, and addressing emerging challenges.
Termed a significant step in the UNDP’s commitment to enhancing governance across Africa and beyond, the retreat aims to address the various challenges arising from today’s multifaceted global landscape.
A statement from the secretariat of the NGF quoted a representative from UNDP, Lealem Berhand Dinku as saying “The leadership retreat is crucial considering the dynamic challenges faced by nations, ranging from democratic governance to digital innovation, job concerns, urbanization, and climate change.”
He stressed the necessity of a fresh leadership approach to transform the challenges into opportunities.
“The retreat has been meticulously designed to offer public officials a transformative platform, allowing for collective reflection, experiential learning, and exchange of insights on effective leadership amid complex challenges.
“Through this approach, participants will attain essential skills and competencies needed to lead proficiently in intricate and uncertain environments.”
UNDP underscores that “the partnership between the UN agency and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) is poised to equip participants with a reinforced leadership skill set, knowledge, and an appropriate mindset.”
It adds that “the significance of nurturing skills for deep listening and self-awareness is crucial for leaders to make informed decisions that benefit their constituents.”
The UN body went on to note that “the role of effective leadership in navigating the complexities of the evolving world is of utmost importance. State governors are positioned to be instrumental in shaping the future of their respective states and the broader nation.
“Investing in leadership development is an avenue to empower these leaders to drive transformative change within their states, subsequently impacting Nigeria at large.”
Prominent speakers at the retreat include Governors Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), and Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra); as well as international figures like Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Additional contributors consist of Arkebe Oqubay (Senior Minister and Special Adviser to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia), Director-General of the NGF Asishana Okauru, and Assistant Secretary-General/ Director, UNDP’s Regional Bureau for Africa Ahunna Eziakonwa.
The retreat also features various facilitators encompassing expertise from Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, such as Bosun Tijani, and renowned figures including former African Development Bank (AfDB) President, Donald Kaberuka.
The event will additionally involve UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mohammed Yahya, Co-founder of Africa Innovation Summit, Olugbenga Adesida, Chief Innovation Officer for UNDP Nigeria William Tsuma, and Senior Adviser for the UNDP in New York, Narue Shiki.
Contributors also include Andrew Mwenda, Publisher of The Independent (Uganda), and Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, Founder/Managing Director of Narachi Leadership Centre.
Others are Resident Representative of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Ari Aisen, Mimi Kalinda, Group CEO of Africa Communications Media Group, Tolani Alli, a documentary photographer, Rubingisa Pudence, Mayor of Kigali, and Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, Mayor of Freetown.
