A total of 125 participants have completed the onsite training component of the YALI Emerging Leaders Program at the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) in Lagos, Nigeria. The closing ceremony also saw the presentation of awards and certificates to YALI Online Cohorts 4, 5 and 6 participants who had completed their 12-week community work, mentorship/internship and submitted their project reports.

The ceremony, attended by staff of the Accra RLC, traditional, security and other officials from Badagry, Lagos, marked the end of the three-week onsite training for the Young Leaders selected from nine West African countries.

Dr. Mrs. Shola Safo-Duodu, Project Director at the YALI Regional Leadership Center, Accra, congratulated Nigeria Cohort 5 participants for successfully completing the three-week leadership training, while praising the commitment of Online Cohorts 4, 5 and 6 to complete their training  online. The Project Director encouraged both participants and graduands to strive to make an impact in their communities and countries.

The Project Director encouraged Online graduands to apply for the YALI Alumni Innovation Fund (YAIF), which aims to provide funding of up to $10,000 to about 50 YALI Alumni with innovative businesses. The target of the Innovation Fund is to provide funding for selected entrepreneurs to scale up their businesses.

Deserving Nigeria Cohort 5 trainees received plaques for their outstanding performance while outstanding graduands from Online Cohorts 4, 5 and 6 received tablets.

Dr. Mrs. Shola Safo-Duodu presents a tablet to Ms Funmilola Awosanya for emerging the best trainee in the Leadership Track

Some trainees cheer their colleagues on during the awards ceremony

Click here for more pictures from the Nigeria Cohort 5 closing ceremony