Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Abuja Network has held its first Night of Impact and Dinner last Saturday, 27th January, to celebrate the achievements of the Network so far, as well as to honour its outstanding members, who have distinguished themselves by impacting lives and communities through exemplary leadership values and qualities since YALI Face-to-face Network kicked off in Abuja.
The event which took place at the prestigious Ventures Park, Aso Drive had in attendance US Embassy Representatives and other dignitaries such as Veteran Broadcaster, Eugenia Abu, who has been one of the active Mentors for YALI Abuja Network, YALI pioneers as well as state coordinators from Lagos, PortHarcourt, Kano and other regions in Nigeria. Most of whom shared with excitement the excellent works and projects they had implemented within their localities which wouldn’t have been possible without a platform such as YALI.
According to YALI Abuja Network Coordinator, Mr Ovo, during his welcome address said “what YALI stands for and represents is “IMPACT”. As young leaders we are more concerned about exhibiting exemplary leadership values while we add values to our immediate environment through people oriented projects and programmes”
‘This Night of Impact is actually the first of its kind and we hope to keep having such a night/dinner as this to celebrate one another’ he stated.
United States Embassy in Nigeria Representative, Mr Larry Socha during his speech at the event encouraged every YALI member to be their own champion and never allow other interest groups to usurp their rights.
“As young people of this great nation, be
your own champion, and never allow the other interests group of older generation to hijack your rights from you” he affirmed.
The high point of the Dinner was the presentation of awards to the outstanding members, who have excelled well in Civic leadership, Entrepreneur, Leadership by example as well as in Volounterism amongst others.