Samson Itodo Joins
Samson Itodo Joins Emerging Leaders at Global Leadership
Programme
In line with the UK’s vision of promoting civic leadership and
building a global community of leaders, the UK Foreign and
Commonwealth Office hosts an annual International Leaders Programme
for emerging leaders who are transforming their societies through
social entrepreneurship, political leadership, technology, civic
activism, music and arts, journalism etc. Launched in March 2013,
the ILP is designed to create and develop lasting relationships
with future leaders who have an impact on the UK’s global
interests.
Joining the 2019 cohort is Samson Itodo, Executive Director,
YIAGA AFRICA and Convener of the Not Too Young To Run movement.
Samson will join 17 other leaders from around the world for the
program in London. The programme is shaped according to the broad
interests of the group, and will include a range of visits,
discussions, and meetings with senior British decision makers and
opinion formers.
These will include UK leaders in Government (including a visit
to No 10 Downing Street, the home of the Prime Minister),
Parliament, the media, civil society, education, business and
industry. Most of the program is based in London but the team will
take a trip to Cambridge as part of the program. In addition to the
general program, each participant is offered an option of a bespoke
two personalized program to facilitate professional development,
networking and leadership.
This is the first time a Nigerian will be selected for the
program since it’s commencement. This is not surprising as as
impact of Samson’s work at YIAGA AFRICA has earned him recognition
from international and local organizations. In 2018, he was
appointed by the Gates Foundation as a Goal keeper and honoured by
the National Democratic Institute (NDI) Washington DC as a Rising
Democracy leader in Africa. He is the recipient of The Future
Africa Award Young Person of the Year 2018 award and the Leadership
Newspaper 2018 Outstanding Young Person of the Year award.
Recently, he became a fellow of prestigious Archbishop Desmond
Tutu Leadership program and recipient of the Junior Chamber
International, Nigeria 2019 Ten Outstanding Young Persons in
Nigeria Award for Political, Legal and or Government Affairs.
Moshood Isah, Spokesperson YIAGA Africa