Participants at the 2025 Leadership Programme of the Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW) Africa have been urged to return to their communities and make meaningful impact.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Organization, Chief Mrs. Carol Ugochukwu, gave the charge at the programme’s closing in Awka.
The event drew students from ten secondary schools across Anambra State, described as “future leaders.”
Represented by the South-east Coordinator of WOW Africa, Mrs. Ethel Eruchalu, Ugochukwu noted that the leadership programme, which began in 2022, has grown stronger with each edition.
“This is the fourth edition, and it is different from the previous three,” she said. “The theme alone—From Potential to Purpose: Made to Impact—tells the whole story.
“Students that came yesterday have been transformed from what they used to be. We need change for the future so that our hope can be actualized.”
She praised keynote speaker Daniel Fadumo, whose research and success formula she said deeply impacted the students.
Ugochukwu urged participants to live by the lessons they had learned and ensure their lives positively shape their generation.
The South East Coordinator expressed gratitude to the CEO and to Executive Director Amaka Akudinobi for consistently prioritizing the next generation.
“They have proved that the future generation should be our top priority.
They have always ensured that young ones are weaved into our programmes because the future belongs to them,” she added.
Self-discovery and awareness
In a keynote speech, Dr Daniel Fadumo charged the teens to strive towards a deep self-awareness of their inherent abilities, hidden qualities and the capacity for future growth and success.
“You must also find a personally meaningful and significant contribution to the world guided by your values.
“You need passions and strength and must ensure you have a noticeable and powerful influence on situations around you.
Green Skills for the Future
In a presentation titled Green Skills for the Future, former board member of the Anambra State Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC), Dr. Ngozi Agbasimalo, stressed the urgency of sustainable living.
“Planet is running out of resources while population keeps increasing. We must be intentional about protecting the future.
“Green skills promote sustainability, reduce carbon footprint, ensure efficient resource use, and create green jobs that boost the economy,” she said.
Agbasimalo called on all to embrace the three Rs – reduce, reuse, and recycle,.
She also charged them to support organizations that promote sustainable lifestyles and shunning products that worsen climate change impacts.
Call for Gender Equality
Yohanna Rachel, Executive Director of Davina Care Foundation, addressed the theme Gender Equity Starts with Me.
She urged students, parents, and teachers to promote fairness and inclusiveness.
“All we are asking for is a level playing ground,” she said. “Gender equality doesn’t mean fight.
“It simply means allowing everyone to live and achieve their potential without discrimination.”
She warned against stereotypes that restrict opportunities for women and girls, leading to inequality, health challenges, and violence.
Media as a tool for change
International film producer Christian Ohachu highlighted the power and risks of media use.
He urged participants to be mindful of harmful practices such as fake news, hate speech, and cyberbullying.
According to him, all the above and more are prohibited by Nigeria’s social media law.
“We are interconnected now more than ever. A single tweet can start a protest.
“A short TikTok video can inspire millions, a YouTube tutorial can change a life.
“Think before you post. A careless post can destroy reputations or even break the law. Always fact-check before sharing.
“Every post is a seed – plant seeds of hope, truth, and action.”
Speaking on the topic, “Think Like a Leader: Problem-Solving for Community Impact,” Ken Okoli listed qualities of transformational leadership.
They include: fear of God, patriotism, self-reliance, discipline, truth, justice, dignity of labour and love.
“I call on the parents, religious leaders, heads of schools, business leaders, community leaders, heads of government institutions, presidents of countries, etc, to adopt this template for raising a generation of leaders that will transform the society for common good.
Voices of the students
Students expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn from the programme.
Chinasa Favour from Community Secondary School, Okpuno, said: “I learnt that everybody should be treated equally—both male and female. That is under SDG No. 5, gender equality.”
Ifunanya from Community Secondary School, Awgbu, drew inspiration from SDG No. 9 on decent work and economic growth.
“I learnt that social media offers many benefits, not only for dance.
“It also gives a lot of benefits for those who are creative,” she said.
The WOW Africa Leadership Programme has become a platform for equipping young people with the skills, values, and perspectives needed to transform their communities.
In her remarks, the Secretary of WOW Africa, Mrs. Ngozi Chukwujekwu in her remarks urged the participants to cascade insights from the annual programmes to their school mates once the next scenic session resumes, urging teachers to facilitate the process.
With lessons on sustainability, gender equality, media responsibility, and leadership, this year’s edition, anchored by WOW Africa Media Director, Mrs. Ify Aronu-Okafor, reaffirmed the organization’s mission of raising a generation of purposeful leaders ready to impact Africa and beyond.
