Toyosi Akerele to Represent Nigeria in a United States Government Programme

RISE , Nigeria's leading Youth development organization, has recorded another achievement and honour as her Executive Director; Toyosi Akerele, prepares to join other eminent and distinguished contemporaries to attend the International Visitor Leadership Programme with the sponsorship of the United States Government.

The programme is scheduled to last for three weeks; from 22nd April-14th May 2011. It is interesting to note that Toyosi was the ONLY Nigerian being selected this year; this came as a recognition of the RISE team’s hardwork and resilience towards ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and that there is visible transformational change in Nigeria.

The International Visitor Leadership programme is an initiative of the U.S Embassies around the world. Launched in 1940, the IVLP is a professional exchange program that seeks to build mutual understanding between the U.S. and other nations through carefully designed short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. These visits reflect the International Visitors’ professional interests and support the foreign policy goals of the United States.

Toyosi will be attending one of world's most prestigious gatherings where people from different races and countries who have distinguished themselves in media, politics and governance are selected to represent their country and in the process, create a friendly association with the culture and social life of the American people.

Full of gratitude, Toyosi disclosed that she returns all the glory to God and also deeply appreciates the consistency and sacrifices of the formidable RISE Team not also forgetting the Partners and the advisory board of RISE for their support and confidence in the vision and objectives of RISE.

RISE TAKES “DARE TO BE DIFFERENT” NATIONAL INTERACTIVE YOUTH FORUM’S SUCCESS STORY TO OWERRI

Owerri youths experienced a change in the environment as RISE: a youth expression and advocacy firm extended the DARE TO BE DIFFERENT National Interactive Youth Forum to the All Seasons Hotel, New Owerri on the 4th of July, 2009. With the same theme as the Lagos event (OUR TIME IS NOW), the participants were eager to see if the news about the Lagos event were true. The event which hosted more than 1,500 Owerri youths, celebrated Guests speakers such as Mrs. Iquo Ukoh (Consumer Maximization Manager, Nestle Nigeria), Mr. Mitchell Elegbe (MD/CEO, Interswitch Nigeria Ltd), Dr. Henry Nzekwu (MD, CSA Limited), Mr. Guy Murray Bruce (President, Silverbird Entertainment) who was well represented, Okey Mc Anthony (The Special Assistant to the Imo State Governor on Entertainment) and Pastor Triumphant Obamoh (Senior Pastor, Winners Chapel, Owerri).



The Guest speakers all spoke on various topics affecting the young people in Nigeria and how they can “Dare to be Different” in the face of different circumstances in Nigeria. Telecommunications Giant, MTN, being lead sponsor for the event in all the 8 Nigerian cities (Lagos, Owerri, Enugu, Benin, Kaduna, Ibadan, Abeokuta and Abuja), did not leave any stone unturned as they threw their weight behind event just as they did at the Lagos Edition. Other major brands that were also present to ensure the success of the Event include Nescafe, ABC Transport, Macleans, Nigerian Bottling Company and Verve. Amobi Okeke (Publisher, 234 magazine), was the Compere for the event and ensured that no one forgot that fact by taking the participants in steamy sessions of informative and inspirational talks.



As RISE prepares for the ENUGU edition which is scheduled to hold on the 18th of July 2009, the DARE TO BE DIFFERENT NATIONAL INTERACTIVE YOUTH FORUM’s Group page on FACEBOOK continues to enjoy massive following and encouragements from those who have been inspired by either the Lagos or Owerri edition of the event. Many outstanding professional Nigerians such as Mr. Fela Durotoye, National acclaimed Motivational speaker and Performance Coach have lauded the efforts of the organizers saying that this is really an avenue for God to revisit the country and use the youths as tools for development and growth.

From T-B – Mrs Iquo Ukoh (Consumer Maximization Manager, Nestle Nigeria) during her speech, Mr Mitchell Elegbe (MD, Interswitch Nigeria) during his speech, Okey Mc Anthony, Mrs Iquo Ukoh, Dr. Henry Nzekwu, Mr Mitchell Elegbede, Dr. Henry Nzekwu (MD, CSA LIMITED) during his speech, Cross section of Certified DARE TO BE DIFFERENT PARTICIPANTS, Participants registering at the venue, Okey Mc Anthony (The Special Assitant to the Imo State Governor on Entertainment)

Visit www.risenetworks.org for more info.