NGO urges Nigerian elite to embrace empathic leadership

Fresh and Young Brains Development Initiative (FBIN), an NGO, has urged the Nigerian elite class to embrace empathic leadership to help mentor future leaders.

The Chief Executive Officer of the NGO, Mrs Nkiruka Okonkwo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Leadership and Empathy (Lead- Em) Ambassadors Graduation ceremony in Abuja.

According to her, the leadership-building initiative, among other leadership schemes, is the brain-child of Alexijan Consults designed to groom women and young people on the benefits of empathetic leadership.

“The graduating ambassadors are fully prepared to embark on a quest to engage other youths on the initiative.

“They are now equipped with the knowledge and expertise to pass on this mandate.

“The organisation is open to partnership with other well-meaning organisations.

“The initiative is a charity project mainly to empower the Nigerian youths mostly in the area of employment,” she said.

Speaking earlier during the ceremony, Executive Director LeeaGlobal resources, Mr Leonard Okonkwo, said the ambassadors were trained to think beyond available resources, stressing that “being a good human being comes from within.’

“We as supporting partners have also contributed our quota toward the success of this great initiative.

“Leadership is about being empathetic towards other people.

“If your leadership approach is sympathy, you do more harm than good to your subordinates.”

Responding, Mr Ifeanyi Nwebo, a participant, said that the training had impacted his life positively.

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“Now I consider myself a changed person after the six months workshop,” he said.

He said as a beneficiary of the training on embracing empathic leadership, he would embark on projects that would position him to serve humanity and share what he had learned with fellow youths.

He said he would expect his fellow trainees to do the same.

Miss Alicia Adie, another participant said she learned during the training how to put together a more detailed and professional Curriculum Vitae to get the best chance of employment.

She promised to contribute her own quarter toward helping the youth to grow.