YALF History

Youth Afrique Leadership Forum was founded in 2007.

Between 2006 and 2008 the founder was under the mentorship of Abuja Leadership School, a leadership mentoring initiative headed by Barr. Bennie Alika. This was where the content of YALF’s vision was given proper definition, operational model and public expression.

In November 2008, the visioner published the first draft of the book, “A New Nigeria Is Possible” to advocate for Nigeria’s rebirth. It is an established fact that Africa is waiting for Nigeria to lay the foundation for Africa’s redemption and development. In April 2009, the book was recommended as a Civic Education Textbook for Junior Secondary School Class 3, by the Exams and Standards, Delta State Ministry of Education and subsequently as an orientation tool for Corps Members by the NYSC Headquarters, Abuja. The 2nd Edition of the book published in 2011 was again upgraded for Senior Secondary School classes 1 – 3. The latest edition of the book which was published in 2015 was recommended by the Ministry of Education through the Nigeria Education Research and Development Council and the National Orientation Agency as an important orientation document for all Nigerians. The book has also been recommended to be adopted using the Civic Education academic curriculum for Senior Secondary School, classes 1-3. The books are presently used by some Secondary Schools across Nigeria.

Following the endorsement from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), YALF was given the permission to conduct Seminars for NYSC Corps Members in Orientation Camps. YALF team made up of young Nigerians, took turns and visited more than 25 NYSC State Orientation Camps and FCT, between 2009 and 2011. The activities of YALF then achieved greater awareness to earn the organization a Special Consultative Status of the United Nations in 2014.

From 2011 till date, the NGO has been involved in different orientation programmes with the theme - A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE. YALF orientation contents have been taken to educate different categories of Nigerians. Secondary School Teachers, Members of the Public, Tertiary Institutions (students and lecturers). Indeed, many Youth across the country have immensely benefited from YALF’s attitudinal change and leadership lectures.

YALF has been developing strategies that can effectively and convincingly sensitize Nigerians to embrace positive attitudes. The “A New Nigeria is Possible” Book has been severally reviewed and improved on with an inherent power of conviction to change the minds of Nigerians for attitudinal change and leadership pragmatism. Additionally, the latest edition offers an audiobook for easy understanding of the nation building message, which Nigerians should be willing to imbibe at this point in their national history.

New Nigeria Conscience Realignment (Being faithful in providing service to the nation)

The relation between most Nigerians and their nation is not cordial, in the sense that they belong to a nation they do not particularly love or are willing to pay allegiance to. The New Nigeria Conscience Realignment has been inspirationally put together to inspire positive change in Nigerians so that the nation will proudly witness the New Nigeria we truly want to see. The seminar topic (New Nigeria Conscience Realignment) has been designed to practically and in a friendly manner bring out the importance of nationhood, the joy of serving one’s nation and the irrevocable reasons Nigerians must uphold the integrity of their nationality. This will afterwards engender the right conscience that Nigerians need in order to make the nation thrive.

New Nigeria Attitudinal Change (Attitude as essential tool for correcting our nation’s problems)

A bad attitude that was formed over time can gradually be unlearned when a positive decision is taken. The New Nigeria Attitudinal Change has been designed to let Nigerians understand how some negative attitudes in the nation were formed (knowingly or unknowingly) and how they can be unlearned. Highlights of the benefits of the alternative positive attitude will become the standard and reason for citizens to willingly adjust and pursue the greater benefit accruing to the nation and her citizens when positive attitude is imbibed by all and sundry.

New Nigeria Leadership Pragmatism (Leadership entails sacrificing for the wellbeing of others)

Leadership is the ability and willingness to solve problems or provide services that are beneficial to others. Our readiness to live for the happiness of others is the solution to the leadership gaps in the world. The leadership that will make impact cannot be propelled by the usual inconsiderate principles that take advantage of others inability without recognizing the deprivation such is causing on vulnerable people and the complexities that come with it. From what we already know, Africans must introduce situational leadership applications of her own to extinguish this old order. The proposed African leadership spirit hinged on integrity, the efficacy which will stand against the old is necessary and possible in the unfolding years. It will take a well-thought-out leadership paradigm to launch Africa to her wheel of progress.

In mid-2020, YALF identified other great minded Nigerians and Nigerian CSOs who are also pursuing similar New Nigeria/Africa vision. These groups came together to form a coalition and on October 1, 2020, the New Nigeria Is Possible vision was publicly declared in Abuja, the Capital City of Nigeria. The activities of the group orchestrated some positive achievements, opening new doors for young people in Nigeria to find their voices in politics and nation building. Since then, A NEW NIGERIA IS POSSIBLE has become a nationwide acceptable slogan into the future, to help the young people navigate their way and bring about the desired change. This great awareness has become a general pursuit of every Nigerian, rightly rooted in their hearts. The sudden realization by Nigerian Youth to take up responsibility for true nation building, led to the coming together of great minds and different NGOs to form a coalition known today as the NewNigeria Is Possible Vision. Some of the group’s activities from its inception till date can be viewed at www.newnigeriaispossible.org

From 27 – 28th of August 2021, the New Nigeria Is Possible vision held a National Reconciliation Conference tagged “We the People of Nigeria” (WEPON) National Reconciliation Summit. It was an event where Nigerian Youth gathered to discuss their differences and forgive one another on behalf of the different ethnic groups in Nigeria. In the spirit of oneness, love and forgiveness, the attendees pleaded with one another on the need for national unity.

Issues raised were handled amicably and forgiveness by all parties were accepted in the most friendly and sincere ways. The end of the summit was remarkable and memorable. It was concluded that, aside from politicians exploiting divisive narratives to mislead the public, Nigerians genuinely care for one another and would thrive as a united people under effective leadership. And for this reason, YALF is poised to provide right orientations for pragmatic leadership emergence amongst Nigerians and would keep expanding its frontiers in other African countries to awaken all those who will become the basis for Africa’s greatness.

With the knowledge that Africa has a big role to play in the global space, it was clear that the rising of Africa will mark a global difference and impact. This must be to add exceptional human philosophy and orderliness for achieving human progress across the globe. Africans will never again desire to be like others when they can leverage on their own natural strength to become exceptionally relevant to the world. Also, with the realization that Africa’s role is to preserve and later present to the world those human values that will restore the dignity of man in the world and that will ensure a selfless win-win agenda capable of eradicating lawlessness, war, suffering and deprivation amongst individuals and between nations of the world is the need for Africa to go back to the drawing board and present themselves anew, to lead the world to adopt the human face for peaceful, united and progressive global trend in order to aggregate relevant humanity traits that will propel the happiness of all citizens of the world. In view of this is YALF quest for Global Harmony.