Get Guardian on GoogleThirteen young Nigerians from the six geopolitical zones have graduated from the Athena-Anchoria Institute’s six-month leadership and policy programme, earning graduate certificates and publishing a collection of civic essays titled Though Tribe and Tongue May Differ.
The fellows, drawn from 11 states and representing 11 academic disciplines, completed six months of virtual learning and mentorship, followed by a one-week residential programme.
Each participant received a monthly stipend during the virtual programme, while graduates were presented with new HP laptops to support their research and writing.
In a statement issued by the institute’s Media and Communications Officer, Paul Liam, the programme was described as an initiative combining Athena’s expertise in public policy, governance, research and mentorship with practical sessions on financial literacy, investment and economic decision-making.
Anchoria Group part-funded the programme.
The founder and Chancellor of Athena Centre, former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Osita Chidoka, said the fellowship was established on the belief that stronger institutions require deliberate investment in people capable of leading them.
“We cannot continue to demand better institutions without deliberately investing in the people who will lead them. Institutions do not build themselves. People build them,” he said.
Chidoka said the fellows were taught by Athena faculty members and practitioners, including Seun Onigbinde of BudgIT, Dr Sam Amadi and Dr Dakuku Peterside.
He said the diversity of the cohort was deliberate, bringing together young Nigerians from different regions, universities, academic disciplines and professional backgrounds to learn and work across their differences.
“We brought together young Nigerians who might otherwise never have met, from different regions, universities, disciplines and experiences, and asked them to learn, argue and grow as one cohort.
“If we are serious about building the Republic we all dream of, learning to live, think and work across our differences has to become a habit,” he said.
As part of the programme, each fellow wrote a civic essay inspired by a line from the National Anthem: “Though tribe and tongue may differ, in brotherhood we stand.”
The essays explore belonging, equal citizenship, identity and nation-building.
Athena Press has published the 13 essays in a collection titled Though Tribe and Tongue May Differ: Young Nigerians on Belonging, Equal Citizenship and the Work of Nation-Building.
The publication is the first volume in an annual series, The Republic We Are Building.
Chidoka said the National Anthem, National Pledge and Chapter Two of the Constitution collectively embody what he described as the promise of the Nigerian republic.
According to him, the documents articulate the country’s aspirations for justice, equality, dignity, unity and opportunity, which successive generations must translate into tangible results through strong institutions and responsible leadership.
“Every generation inherits that promise, and every generation must convert the promise into performance through the institutions it builds, the standards it enforces and the everyday experience of the citizen,” he said.
He added that subsequent cohorts would use the essay series to assess these national ideals against the country’s actual performance.
The fellows also engaged with prominent public policy practitioners and government officials during the programme.
Patrick Okigbo, founding partner of Nextier, discussed Nigeria’s national aspirations and the fellows’ experiences of the country. Representatives of the organisation also attended the graduation and engaged participants on career opportunities in policy and advisory services.
The graduates were also received by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, who spoke about overseas training, returning to Nigeria and contributing to national development.
One of the fellows was subsequently invited to participate in an upcoming ministerial conference on antimicrobial resistance.
Ezekiel Adebisi, named the overall best fellow, delivered the valedictory address, reflecting on the cohort’s intellectual and professional growth.
He said the fellows arrived as “young professionals seeking answers” but were leaving with “better questions, sharper tools and a deeper understanding of the responsibility that comes with knowledge”.
Adebisi urged his colleagues to approach public institutions with courage, analytical discipline and integrity, warning against confusing proximity to political power with the ability to influence meaningful change.
“We came to learn how institutions shape nations. We leave committed to shaping institutions that serve nations,” he said.
The graduating fellows are Augustina Enuwa Abakpa, Rashida Bafashi Abubakar, Yahaya Abubakar, Ezekiel Adebisi, Afodun Muhammad Saheed, Adaobi Ayogu, Kosisochukwu Praise Bosah, Enegbuma Angelica Onagiekhuwemhe, Haruna Hassan Suleiman, Mohammed Baba Kale, Daniel Nnamani, Eunice Olasunkanmi and Shedrack Owen.
Congratulating the graduates, Chidoka said the fellowship’s success would ultimately be measured by the institutions they serve, the decisions they influence and the people they mentor.
“The value of this fellowship will be measured over years: in the institutions you serve, the decisions you influence and the people you, in turn, help to develop. Today, we celebrate what you have learnt. Tomorrow, Nigeria will judge what you do with it,” he said.
The institute said its Junior Fellows Programme would continue with new cohorts.
