Prominent Nigerians from the entertainment, agriculture, technology and energy sectors have been selected to participate in the 2017 edition of the distinguished Tutu Leadership Programme conducted by the African Leadership Institute
The four participants are renowned artiste Jude “MI” Abaga, Chief Executive Officer of Chocolate City Music & Entertainment Company and U.N. Goodwill Ambassador; Onyinye Ibeneche Avbovbo, a Manager with Bain & Company, a top management consulting firm; Bosun Tijani, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) and Abayomi Awobokun, founder & Chief Executive Officer of indigenous downstream player Service Liquids & Gas (SLG).
“The uniqueness, achievements, and diversity of this year’s field of Tutu Fellows is testament to the enormous potential of Africa and her people. While it is a privilege to be chosen for this honour, the onus resides with each of the Fellows to imbibe and share the key learnings of leadership with an even wider audience.
“Change is only effective if it is sustainable, and we will act as societal change agents by making governance and leadership fundamentals even more critical within our countries,” said one of the awardees.
Named after foremost anti-apartheid crusader, Arch. Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Tutu Leadership Programme will take in a total of 26 candidates from about 300 nominees spanning 30 African countries including Egypt, Cameroon, Kenya, and South Africa. The selected candidates demonstrate Pan-Africa’s vast wealth of youthful leadership talent drawn from various industries and representing eleven countries and ranging from 29 to 39 years in age.
Run on part-time basis, the programme provides participants with an intensive learning experience on the principles and application of leadership, and also centres discourse to explore leadership issues and characteristics in Africa, as well as the global challenges and dimensions of an African leader.
Upon completing the Programme, Tutu Fellows return to play active roles in their respective communities, countries and spheres of influence.
As the decision-maker at one of Africa’s largest indigenous record labels “MI” Abaga is widely-acknowledged for his music influence as a producer and performer. Prior to joining Bain, Ibeneche Avbovbo cut her entrepreneurial teeth as the General Manager at Alim Udo, an agricultural start-up, focused on providing high-quality protein foods to South Eastern Nigeria. Continously fuelled for a more competitive Nigeria, Bosun Tijani supports high potential, early stage businesses building next generation infrastructure using technology.
A recipient of the Young Global Leader award from the World Economic Forum, Abayomi Awobokun served as the CEO of Oando’s Downstream operations in Nigeria, West Africa, Europe and the Middle East for five years. He is also the founder of The September 20 Foundation, a not-for-profit focused on bringing aid to Internally Displaced Persons in camps across Nigeria.
