Ashoka Africa, an international non-profit organization that promotes a global mindset for changemakers, on Thursday, July 28, launched “Everyone A Changemaker” Movement for Enugu in an event held at the Golden Royale Hotel, Independence Layout, Enugu.
In his presentation titled “Everyone a Changemaker” Launch: A historic moment for Enugu and Nigeria, the Vice President Youth Years, Ashoka Africa, Mr. Okey Uzoechina, said that Enugu is already a changemaker city.
In his words:
“We kicked off the national launch of ‘Everyone A Changemaker” Movement in Lagos in May, we were in Lagos in Abuja last month, June, and now we are in Enugu.
“Enugu holds a special place in our hearts and minds. Coal City is the nerve center of South East Nigeria and Enugu is already a changemaker city.
“If you look at the density of creatives, innovators, students, institutions of learning, changemaker companies in and around Enugu, then it’s easy to understand why Enugu is the hub for all of South East Nigeria to be kicking off the launching today.”
Mr. Uzoechina reiterated the vision and mission of Ashoka which is to create a world where everyone can stand out boldly as a change maker. He explained that change starts from within.
The goal of the launch is to reach everyone of the 4.5 million people in Enugu, the 200 million people in Nigeria and of course the entire population in Africa.
The step towards achieving the goal is to engage partners to enable Ashoka reach more people. These partners which include FBOs, Teachers Unions, Publishers, authors, MDAs, the Media, and so on, will help amplify the vision, share the tools and skills people need to own their power to effect change in the world.
Sharing his story as a changemaker by nature and without even taking cognizance of the term or having the knowledge about Ashoka, the President, Nigeria Publishers Association, Dr. Cyril Uchenna Anioke, said that after year’s in politics and being in public office in various capacities, he decided to engage in preoccupations that engender change for a better society.
He said:
“Politics has always been a very combative, competitive, winner-takes-all game. A lot of lies, a lot of short statements not correct, … that was who I was, and so to come and talk about change making today means there is a shift in who I am or who I was. That is number 1. That is why when I shared my thoughts with Okey, I said it must begin with me.
“If you are aspiring to be a change maker, you must look at yourself, do an introspection and know who I am, who do I want to be…
“I got involved with an institute, the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators. We pride ourselves as the largest mediation institute in Africa. So, I got trained and the training changed me.”
As a Mediator, Dr. Anioke uses the medium of radio to reach people in need of counselling and resolution of difficult issues especially among family members. He also anchors another changemaking program on radio, Freedom Square, which discusses politics and advocates for good governance.
In his address, the Commissioner of Education, Enugu State, Prof. Uche Eze, represented by the Director of Schools, Ministry of Education, Enugu State, Dr. Ochi Patrick, emphasized the need for entrepreneurial skills for effecting change in the society.
He enumerated the series of positive changes the ministry has recorded since the inception of Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration which include the drastic reduction in exam malpractice and uniform assessments across the schools.
Prof. Eze stressed that “if one removes idleness on his life, he has already made a change.”
The Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Lolo Cecilia Ezeilo, was represented at the occasion by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Deputy Governor, Lolo Chioma Ugwu.
There were choreographed dance presentation from schools, poetry as well as other creative renditions at the event.
For the movement, Ashoka envisions an “Everyone a Changemaker” world, as a world where every girl, boy, woman and man has the confidence, freedom and support to identify and design solutions for the good of all, to tackle a challenge and create a better future, in small or bold ways.
Since 1990, Ashoka has supported leading social entrepreneurs and changemakers in Africa, creating an enabling environment for positive change.