2023 In Retrospect; My Triumphs, Failures, and Impacts: Part 1
‘’We write to taste life twice, the moment and in retrospect’’… Anias Nin
I have gone through a lot in the past 365 Days of the year ending today. I have had platforms to serve and manage projects and programs. I have held a position of trust for people and organizations. I have passed and failed.
It sounds impossible to document a whole year's journey into one article, but I am willing to try it. The great Madiba said and I quote
“It always seems impossible until it’s done” Nelson Mandela
2023 started with a huge responsibility to man the skills development directorate of the Junior Chamber International Aso. It coincides with the vision of the National President for the year 2023, JCI Senator Abdullahi Bala Attairu who’s determined to leverage technology for skills acquisition
From this class, the onerous task of championing the skills development component of not just JCI Aso but the entire northern area team began…
It was a dual responsibility, How do I cope?
The thought of delivering keeps ringing in my head. Let’s dive in and see how I have fared so far.
January, 2023
January started with an amazing set of activities, first with the JCI Aso Officers Training School in Abuja. Another one in Nassarawa and then an opportunity to host the launch of the Wi-App . this app development was championed by Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative and was later adopted as one of the apps used by the physically challenged individuals in the 2023 General Elections
February 2023
“Shams, I have been nominated to chair the NECA Job Fair Planning Committee and I’d like you to handle it.” this was Mr Lanre Yusuf, my boss and mentor on Febuary 3rd 2023
Little did I know that my new role would enable me to stretch myself beyond my limit. I had two basic functions
a. Chair a committee that will curate and execute a 6-week digital skills training program.
b. Organize a Job and Employability Fair…
My job is cut out for me yeah? It’s time for action. We had our inaugural meeting where I had to defend the concept notes earlier written before the committee
Weeks rolled into months and the recruitment process was done seamlessly. Two Hundred and Fifty Students Applied, and One Hundred and ten were admitted…
March 2023
The third month of the year 2023 was filled with three major activities. the onboarding and commencement of the NECA Digital Skills Program, the hosting of International Women’s Day, and the JCI Aso March General Assembly.
The NECA Digital Skill Program was one of the most challenging, yet rewarding exploits of mine in the year 2023. On this job, I had CEOs of companies, leaders of various organizations, and employees alike in my class. Crossed between ensuring the standard is maintained and ensuring as many people as possible graduate enabled me to devise several strategies of operations.
Participants in this program learned the fundamentals of the following
Product Management
UI/UX Design
Video Editing
Data Analysis
Cyber Security
The six-week program slowly and steadily came to an end with five projects built and 65 Participants Graduated
Wrapping my head around the first quarter of last year, I can’t but mention a few impacts made and a few lessons learned
The Impacts
Trusting me with NECA Program was one of the best things that ever happened to me in the first quarter, I was able to achieve the following
a. Supretend over training that saw over 100 young people upskilled in the job of the future
b. Worked closely with captains of industries to facilitate the smooth execution of the second edition of the job fair program
c. Improved public presentation skills and overall professional development of over 100 young people
d. Facilitated a session that gave a clear road map for members of the JCI Aso Board of Directors
e. Upskilled at least 20 JCI Aso and other members of JCI Nigeria in the above Digital skills
The Lessons
a. Indeed, for everything you do as an individual, you have a lot of people watching you.
b. Never underestimate the power of determination and a positive attitude, they work magic
c. Impossibility isn't a fact, it’s your opinion
Conclusion
Let me, at this juncture pay tribute to My boss and Founder of TIIDELab, Mr kadir Salami, the MD of Techspecialist Consulting Limited Mr Lanre Yusuf, the Director General of NECA Mr Adewale Smatt Oyerinde, the founder of Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative, Mr Olasupo Abideen and all my team members and students alike for the opportunity
It’s the end of Part 1, Stay tuned for Part 2
