12 undergo ‘groomed for greatness’ fellowship

The inaugural Grooming for Greatness fellowship programme has held, with the 12 finalists — who were selected from 350 applicants — undergoing an intensive three-day leadership training in Lagos.

The fellowship, a brainchild of Biola Alabi, the managing partner of Biola Alabi Media, is targeted at Africans from all over the world.

At the launch programme, renowned speakers provided the participants with insight in actualisation sessions “to guide them on their leadership journey”, the organisers said in a press statement.

Among those who spoke were Bestman Games, CEO of Nimi Akinkugbe; Ade Audifferen, business development manager, Wartsila Finland Energy Solutions; Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, founder, Narachi Leadership; Pierre- Alain Masson, co-founder, Seedstars World; and Tokunboh Ishmael, managing director, Alithea Capital.

Alabi explained that the year-long fellowship is about growth, learning and encouragement.

“Grooming for Greatness was developed to change the narrative around leadership in Africa by validating the next generation’s leadership yearnings and goals. If we want compassionate value based leaders we have to teach it and live it.

“Leadership development has always been a passion of mine and I’ve always believed that it is our responsibility to develop the next generation of African leaders,” she said in a statement at the close of the event.

Adams addressed questions on true leadership, with participants sharing their private leadership struggles.

According to Adams, “Emerging leaders on our continent need to be first and foremost validated in their ambitions. There is so much around us that discourages us and tells us that what we dream for the continent is impractical, absurd and impossible. Leadership programs like [The Grooming for Greatness Program] provide a different kind of message.”

The finalists will be trained on leadership skills for a year after which entries will be open for the next set of participants.