Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ) supports the programme ‘ Young Women in Leadership’ which held on Monday in Abuja.

The YWL was initiated by Stephanie Adams, who in her opening remarks said, scholars have pointed out that everything rises and falls on leadership, yet despite this recognition, there is a scarcity of female leaders all over the world. She said the initiative for Young Women in Leadership was influenced by the Female Reporters Leadership Forum (FRLP) which is aimed at empowering females with the skills and finesse to take bold steps that help position them for the highest leadership roles. According to Miss Adams, the importance of good leadership in the success of organizations and nations cannot be overemphasized, therefore it is important to groom young women to develop their Leadership skills to make a positive impact and be ready to attain the highest role of responsibility.

Delivering his keynote address, Dapo Olorunyomi, the Publisher of Premium Times noted that unlike in the past where women were alienated from workspaces, especially in the newsroom, the trend has changed today as the best brains are recruited into the organization irrespective of gender. The event was attended by young women from different works and the media; guest speakers at the event were Chioma Agwuegbo and Maryam Laushi.

Dapo Olorunyomi

Adenike Aloba talked on self-awareness and it is the key to good leadership. She explained that self-awareness is what would give a person a clear perspective of one’s personality, their values, strengths and weaknesses which are core to growing the capacity to be a good leader. She ended by reminding that life is a balancing act which requires constant evaluation, but that taking the time out to do so would be our greatest tool developing leadership skills and Work-life Balance.

Maryam Laushi using her experience in Nigerian Governance as a pioneer member of the Not Too Young To Run movement, discussed the issue of Women in Governance and calls for every young woman never to replace her values. As part of gender just starting to be included in a male-dominated society, this reminds us of our need to stand for the just causes in our society in order to build a positive generation of young women in Governance either through government or activism. She ended with reinforcing the fact that in this struggle it is important to be courageous and stand for one’s values irrespective of pressures and societal influence.

Ebele Oputa who spoke on becoming a woman of positive influence highlights the need to be a strong woman that makes a positive influence in the society. Being influential she told, was about the little things we do, as little act in love and mindfulness go a long way. She advised further that women should be generous with praise and stingy with criticisms.

Stephanie Adams

Stephanie Adams discussed on mainstreaming the female gender were she urges female journalists to know about women and engage them most especially in their reports to redeem the balance between genders.

The event ended with a practical session by Chioma Agwuegbo leading participants on ‘Developing a Vision Board’- with highlights on ‘goal setting’ urging young women to give themselves quarterly goals and going lengths to achieve them.