African Youth Encouraged for National Development Via Culture

On Jan. 18, Afro-Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism (ACCCAT) hosted International Press Conference for African Youth Leadership and Culture Summit at the China Cultural Center. Officials from African Union, Nigerian National Society of Artists and FCT Department of Tourism, diplomats from China, Indonesia, Colombia, Mexico, Cuba are present.

event site (Photo by Mrs. Chen Huiling)

Quadri-adu. Shakir Kehinde, president, Afro-caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism, delivered a wonderful welcome speech. He said,“We have the wealth of our vast resources, the power of our people. Let us grasp now the opportunities before us and meet the challenges to our survival”He also expressed with a message of hope that he is proud and even prouder to be identified with our culture. We should be proud of our heritage and cherish our African identity. We must resist any attempt which seeks to confuse your minds to feel inferior about your African identity. At last he proposed that The whole idea of African Youth Leadership and Culture Summit (AYLCUS 2024) is to make Unity as pinnacle of our sustainability.

Dr. James Komolafe gave his lecture (Photo by Mrs. Chen Huiling)

Dr. James Komolafe, fpl. PhD, Behavioural Health; Registrar/CEO, Institute of Behavioral Alignment of Nigeria (IOBAN). Brand Consultant to organizations. Former Banker and astute Administrator. showed us his unique and powerful views: African Youth Re-Awakening for Development Via Culture by profiling 7 critical fundamental requirements of the young Africans for development Rationale. Meanwhile, he pointed out that as an African youth and today’s leader, we either release ourselves to get transformed now or remain in isolation without limitation; we can fulfill it via 5 fundamental framework strategies; we will have more ‘Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity(VACU)’ compliant youths rising up. Almost 80 people actively participate in filling out a special questionnaire on public impact leadership development assessment testimonial (PILDAT) to find their place and take their space during his lecture.

Counsellor Li gave his speech (Photo by Mrs. Chen Huiling)

The Chinese Embassy was very happy to be part of it. In his speech, Mr. Li Xuda, cultural counsellor of the Chinese Embassy and director of CCCNIG said that both China and African countries are great nations with rich and colorful culture. Culture plays an important role in the historical process of their national development and revitalization. culture is a yardstick for youth development. As long as young people continue to learn cultural knowledge, improve cultural skills and cultivate cultural literacy, then they can become useful talents and play greater roles in the development of their countries.

goodwill messages by distinguished guests (Photo by Mrs. Chen Huiling)

Yoruba dance (Photo by Mrs. Chen Huiling)

After key note speech and goodwill messages by distinguished guests, FCT Cultural Troupe presented fabulous Yoruba local dance to entertain all the invited guests. Culture is the driving force of social progress, youth are the future of the country. Through organizing today’s event, the organizers, attendees and many young Africans will improve their ability to understand themselves well, build cultural confidence, assume their responsibilities and embrace their brighter future.

By Ms. Zhang Yaping