LEAD CAMP 2016: DAY 1-3 Highlights

LEAD CAMP 2016: 

DAY 1

At 4:00pm on Sunday, 17^th July 2016, all of our girls had arrived safely from their various destinations and settled in for a brief introduction of the Leadership, Empowerment, Achievement and Development (LEAD) Camp by the convener, Mrs. Simi Nwogugu.

Mrs. Bunmi Aboderin, Executive Director,Business Development, Punch Newspaper was the first speaker of the weeklong event and left the girls with six important things to know as a young woman leader:

(1) Walk with the wise

(2) Don’t believe the lie

(3) Guard what you have

(4) Pay attention to detail

(5) Have mirrors/mentors

(6) Self-control is never out of style

In closing she encouraged the girls by sharing this affirming fact, “recognize the value of what you have and don’t let anybody dissuade you. Guard the value of what you have”.

The day ended with the screening of the award-winning movie “DRY” written and directed by Stephanie Linus, the second speaker for the day.

DAY 2

The day set off on a very insightful note as Mrs. Simi Nwogugu, Founder/CEO, HOD Consulting, Inc. facilitated a session on Emotional Intelligence. A highly engaging and practical session which spurred a lot of brilliant questions from the girls. The girls learnt the difference between ‘Listening For and Listening to’, ‘Anger Management’ and ‘Self Awareness’.

After a short break, the day progressed to the first of three panel discussions, “Making money while playing Dress-up”. On the panel were Lanre DaSilva Ajayi (Lanre DaSilva Couture), Omoyemi Akerele (StyleHouse Files), Tayo Shonekan (Aima’s) and ThisDay Style Correspondent Moji Allen. These women in all candor, shared inspiring experiences with the girls. Apart from being moguls in the fashion industry, similarly all three of them have at least a time in their lives where they had to take a bold decision/step regardless of what society or anybody else thought about it.

 Lanre DaSilva Ajayi left the girls with a word of advice with the girls saying, “Be the driver of your life. Don’t let anybody else do that for you.”

The second session for the day was facilitated by women in male dominated fields themed “Women Building Things”. On the panel were Olajumoke Adenowo, Principal Partner, AD Consulting Limited, Olufunmi Akande, CFO, Siemens LTD., Chinwe Ajene-Sagna, Head, West Africa, Corporate Solutions, James Lang Lasalle (JLL). These women talked about their challenges and how they prepared for where they are today. From building themselves their self-esteem in their academic and professional pursuits.

Chinwe Ajene-Sagna shared her experience on how she had failed consistently in the early years of her education, but had a turn around when she solidified her sense and won the trust of her parents to invest in her education abroad. These women stressed that anything is possible and there is no limitation for today’s woman.

The third and final panel discussion was themed, “Getting Your Message Across” facilitated by a group of reputable media practitioners. The likes of Lydia Otubanjo, Writer, Bellanaija; Joel Nwokeoma, Chief Correspondent, Punch Newspaper; Adesewa Josh, News Anchor, Channels Television; Nike Oyetunde, OAP Nigeria Info FM, and Priscilla Nwanah, Producer, EbonyLife TV amongst others. After the panel discussion, the girls broke into seven groups with each of the media practitioners as mentors to guide them on a select media project which they will present at media outlets later in the week of the Camp.

Left to Right: Lydia Otubanjo, Writer, Bellanaija; Joel Nwokeoma, Editor, Punch Newspaper; Adesewa Josh, News Anchor, Channels 

DAY 3

Mrs. Simi Nwogugu facilitated a Leadership workshop on ‘Communicating with Confidence.’ Mrs. Nwogugu though the girls the importance of communicating their goals with confidence, encouraging them to have Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-Board Goals (SMART Goals). The girls during this session were asked to write down their SMART goals and share with the rest of the others.

Right after this session, the girls were broken into groups of three each where one of them would serve as a coach to the others in order to help them communicate with confidence. This activity lead to the first panel discussion for the day, “Turning Passion into Profit”. On the panel were LEAD Camp alumna, Nkechi Eze, Writer BellaNaija; Affiong Williams, Founder/CEO Reel Fruits and Afua Osei, Co-Founder, SheLeadsAfrica.

In the final session for the day, the girls also had the privilege of being taught the rudiments of Personal Grooming and Etiquette by Janet Adetu, CEO, JSK Etiquette Consortium. She gave the girls the winning etiquette formula A+B+C=E meaning Attitude + Behaviour + Communication = Etiquette. She also taught the art of grooming, how to dress for various occasions, the art of the handshake and even how to construct their elevator pitch. Janet advised the girls to bear in mind that “while good manners cost nothing, a lack of it can cost you everything.” Janet session was very engaging and humorous as she taught the girls the little things that could cost you big opportunities. she also brought skin and haircare products to show the girls the right way to care for them selves. 

Article and Photos by: Petra Erhiyoma, JAN