As we collect to rejoice the 2024 Worldwide Youth Day and the S.M.I.L.E Youth Management Summit, we’re reminded of the boundless potential that resides inside our youth. This 12 months’s theme, “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Growth,” isn’t just a catchphrase—it’s a name to motion.
It’s a name to acknowledge the immense energy that younger individuals maintain in shaping our world, particularly on this digital age. Our world has by no means been extra related. A single click on can spark a motion, a put up can ignite a revolution, and a tweet can topple boundaries. However past these digital gestures lies the actual problem: reworking these clicks into tangible progress.
Our youth aren’t simply digital natives; they’re visionaries, innovators, and leaders within the making. They’re those who will navigate us by means of the complexities of the longer term, utilizing know-how not simply as a software, however as a bridge to sustainable improvement.
The summit opens with heat welcome remarks from Tunde Mabawonku, Government Director of Retail and Digital Banking at Wema Financial institution, and a devoted member of the Board of Trustees of S.M.I.L.E. Mabawonku units the tone for an impactful occasion by means of his welcome remarks replicate a deep dedication to supporting the following technology of leaders and innovators, acknowledging the transformative influence that younger individuals have on each native communities and the worldwide stage.
Following this, the summit is graced with a strong message from the United Nations Secretary-Normal, Antonio Guterres. In his deal with learn by Ronald Kayanja, Guterres underscores the importance of Worldwide Youth Day as a second to replicate on the important function that younger individuals play in constructing a sustainable future. His phrases resonate with the urgency of the occasions, highlighting how the vitality, innovation, and dedication of youth are important to addressing international challenges, from local weather change to inequality.
Particular remarks by the Director of the United Nations Info Centre Nigeria additional set the tone for the day. The Director emphasizes the significance of youth engagement in international initiatives and the way their voices are pivotal in shaping insurance policies that have an effect on their futures. These opening speeches remind us that Worldwide Youth Day isn’t just a celebration; it’s a name to empower and help younger individuals as they lead the cost in direction of a greater world.
In an insightful keynote, Nkem Nweke, Famend Product, Design, and Innovation Guide explored the transformative influence of know-how on the youth of at this time, who’re poised to grow to be the visionaries of tomorrow. He delved into the distinctive alternatives and challenges offered by the digital age and shared his experience on how younger individuals can harness their creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit to form a brighter future.
Youth as Digital Visionaries
The subsequent session of the summit’s deal with “Youth as a Digital Era and Visionaries” highlights the important function younger individuals play in shaping the digital panorama. This phase, that includes keynote audio system and panel discussions, delves into how youth are main the cost in innovation and creating digital options that drive social and financial progress.
Within the “Youth as a Digital Era and Visionaries” panel session, we delve into the transformative function of younger individuals within the digital period. This session is a cornerstone of the summit, bringing collectively a distinguished group of specialists who’re on the forefront of digital innovation with the panellists addressing key themes comparable to alternatives, outcomes, challenges, assets, and options that the digital age presents to the youth.
This session is moderated by Wale Amoussa, Managing Companion at Excelsior Authorized LLP, whereas the panel encompasses a keynote by Nkem Nweke, a famend Product, Design, and Innovation Guide who units the tone for the session by discussing how design and innovation are important in at this time’s digital panorama, he presents invaluable insights into how younger individuals can harness creativity to drive technological developments.
Solomon Ayodele, Head of Innovation at Wema Financial institution, brings a wealth of expertise in fostering innovation inside the monetary sector to debate how banks aren’t simply adapting to digital modifications however are main the cost in creating revolutionary options that meet the wants of a tech-savvy technology.
From a worldwide perspective, Taiwo Farai, Communications Officer on the World Mental Property Group (WIPO), additionally delved into the important function of mental property within the digital age. She explores how defending and leveraging mental property can drive youth innovation and be sure that younger creators and innovators obtain the popularity and assets they deserve. The session additionally options the voices of Hackaholics Startup Founders, who’re a part of Wema Financial institution’s innovation initiative.
These younger entrepreneurs shared their journeys, from preliminary concepts to profitable startups, and mentioned the help techniques that helped them alongside the way in which. Their tales are a testomony to the resilience and creativity of youth in turning challenges into alternatives.
Showcasing Younger Digital Innovators and Youth-led
Kitan David, Co-Founding father of Future Academy Africa, centered on training and abilities improvement within the digital age. Victoria Ogundare, the founding father of MumAlive, a solutions-based platform, additionally share her expertise in creating digital options that deal with real-world issues by growing a platform that helps moms is a strong instance of how know-how may be harnessed to create impactful social options. Grace Akoh, Founding father of Versity Scape, spoke about her platform, which fosters a supportive group for college students interested by tech. Versity Scape helps budding tech fanatics flourish by offering the assets and help they should succeed.
This panel session is greater than only a dialogue; it’s a collaborative effort to establish the challenges younger individuals face within the digital period and to suggest sensible options. By bringing collectively specialists from completely different sectors the session supplied a holistic view of the digital alternatives out there to youth.
The change of concepts throughout this session not solely impressed the viewers but in addition geared up them with the data and assets wanted to navigate the digital panorama successfully. It’s about turning the clicks of at this time into the progress of tomorrow, making certain that younger individuals are not simply individuals however leaders within the digital revolution.
This summit is a platform to showcase these younger digital innovators, providing them a stage to share their experiences and encourage others. It’s about recognizing the challenges they face and the options they’ve developed to beat them, proving that our youth aren’t simply the longer term—they’re the current.
The phase adopted an insightful overview of S.M.I.L.E’s Government Mentoring Program for Youth (EMPY), Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins (BBM), the Founder and President of S.M.I.L.E. Bamgbose-Martins highlighted this system’s mission to nurture and develop younger leaders by means of mentorship. She shared success tales and outlined how this system has made a big influence on the lives of its individuals.
The session additionally featured a Documentary/Video presentation, showcasing the journey of the EMPY individuals. This visible storytelling dropped at life the experiences of younger leaders who’ve benefited from this system, illustrating the transformative energy of mentorship and management improvement. The Government Mentoring Program for Youth isn’t nearly skilled success; it’s about holistic improvement, nurturing younger individuals to grow to be well-rounded leaders who can drive optimistic change of their communities.
This phase additionally ties into the commencement of the 2023/2024 Government Mentoring Program for Youth (EMPY), the place younger graduates are celebrated for his or her dedication and development. It’s a second to replicate on the influence of mentorship and the essential function it performs in guiding youth in direction of attaining their full potential.
The ceremony was a heartfelt second, culminating within the Valedictory Speech by Pleasure Oluwadarasimi Oloyede, who mirrored on the journey and development skilled throughout this system. His speech served as a strong reminder of the potential and promise of the youth.
In a quick however impactful Ice Breaker session, individuals had the chance to have interaction in light-hearted networking, and group photograph ops which easily transitioned into the following section of the S.M.I.L.E Youth Management Summit. This break fostered connections, permitting attendees to satisfy new friends, share concepts, and seize the spirit of the summit in images, setting the stage for the inspiring periods that adopted.
Elevating Youth Management:
Within the “SOAR: Elevating Youth to New Heights” phase, we delve into the significance of youth management in numerous spheres—enterprise, profession, and private aspirations.
The keynote deal with by Idy Enang; Enang delivered an inspiring discuss, specializing in the significance of youth management in at this time’s world. He inspired younger individuals to rise above challenges, embrace their potential, and lead with confidence and imaginative and prescient. His phrases resonated deeply, providing each motivation and sensible steerage on tips on how to obtain private {and professional} success.
Main with Wholesomeness: Your Psychological Well being and Nicely-Being
Dr. Gbonjubola Abiri, MD/CEO of Redi-Med Consulting Providers, delivered an insightful deal with on the significance of psychological well being and well-being. She emphasised the necessity for younger leaders to prioritize their psychological well being as they navigate the challenges of management.
Dr. Abiri’s discuss included sensible methods for sustaining psychological wellness, particularly in high-pressure environments, and was adopted by a full of life Q&A session, moderated by Miss Ruth Abimbola, the place attendees sought recommendation on managing stress and sustaining stability.
This was then adopted by an Ice Breaker led by Vicky Akingbade, which included an energizing dance session, the summit transitioned into the S.M.I.L.E Youth Management Summit Panel Session.
A distinguished panel of business leaders, comprising Idy Enang, Chinyere Tony-Eke, Lara Yeku, Oluwafemi Akinfolarin, and Dr. Jumoke Aleoke-Malachi, Below the adept moderation of Eunice Afolabi, convened to share their collective experience and expertise with younger professionals. The panel session was a treasure trove of worthwhile insights, inspiring success tales, and actionable methods, all designed to empower younger individuals to unlock their full potential and obtain their desires.
With their numerous views and wealth of information, the panellists supplied a complete and interesting dialogue that left an enduring influence on the viewers.
The session was an enriching dialogue that provided numerous views on management and profession improvement, culminating in a Q&A session the place the viewers had the chance to have interaction immediately with the panellists.
Awards Phase: Celebrating Excellence
The summit concluded with the Awards Phase, honouring people who’ve made vital contributions to youth management and inspiration.
Youth Mentor of the Yr was awarded to Olubodun Akinyele from Lagos State, in recognition of his dedication to guiding and mentoring younger leaders.
Inspirational Youth of the Yr was awarded to Joseph Orya from Benue State, celebrating his outstanding journey and the influence he has made in his group.
The summit concluded with a heartfelt Vote of Thanks and Closing Remarks by Bimpe Bamgbose-Martins, President of S.M.I.L.E. She expressed gratitude to all individuals, audio system, and organizers, and reiterated the significance of youth management in shaping a greater future. Her closing phrases left attendees impressed and motivated to proceed their journey of management and private development.
The summit additionally concluded with a worthwhile networking session for the attendees, comprising bold youths, to attach and have interaction with like-minded people from numerous backgrounds. By facilitated networking periods, they have been allowed to foster significant relationships with friends who share related pursuits by exchanging concepts, experiences, and insights, selling cross-pollination of information and experience.
Because the S.M.I.L.E Youth Management Summit attracts to a detailed, the vitality and inspiration ignited right here will proceed to gas the ambitions and desires of the younger leaders who’ve gathered.
This summit isn’t just an occasion, however a catalyst for change, empowering a technology to rise, lead, and depart an indelible mark on the world.
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