Knowledge is power, but especially, the power to lead. Knowledge, however, is buried in books. Of course, there are other sources of knowledge, but books are, and, for many years to come, will remain our surest sources of knowledge. That is why CSAAEINC insists that future African leaders must make reading books a habit.
We don’t just read for the sake of reading. We read books that awaken and re-awaken the leader in us. We read not to pass examinations, but to acquire the knowledge that works. The knowledge of good and bad, and of how to do good and avoid evil.
We read memoirs, inspirational, historical and instructional books. We have read books like, “Nigeria: A History of a Turbulent Century” by Richard Bourne. I hear that the Nigerian Government no longer allows the study of Nigerian history in schools. How then can future leaders lead a people they know not their past? How can we solve Nigeria’s problems if we do not know how and where they started? We have also read “The “Girl” Entrepreneurs” by Ibukun Awosika, “Career Paths: Capacities, Competencies and Character” by Godswill Agbagwa (editor), “The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People” by Steven Covey, etc.
Currently, we are reading “A Journey beyond the Horizons: Memoirs of Professor Sunday Nnanta Nwosu.” This is a book that speaks of the challenges of being a good Nigerian in a “fantastically corrupt Nigeria.” The “Memoirs of Professor Nwosu” does not only bring to the awareness of our future leaders the fact that corruption in Nigeria did not start today, but by personal example, re-assures them that it is possible to live above it.
We read a few pages daily, a few chapters of a book weekly. Then we share thoughts and insights on Fridays. As a group made up of young people of various faiths, males and females, Hausas, Yorubas and Igbos of various majors in the University, the insights are often diverse. But the most inspiring part of it is the application. I call it applicative reading. That’s what ELP directed book reading is all about. Through it, our future leaders are becoming better and better, wiser and wiser.
Stop by ELP training room on Fridays, you will hear confessions, experience new beginnings and feel rising power to do good not just for Nigeria, but for Africa. You will experience all these in writing because ELP training is virtual. No speech, no voice is heard. Yet, the conversation seems real, because these future leaders have mastered the art of communicating effectively through writing. That’s what ELP applicative reading also does for these future leaders: teaching them the art of communication through clear writing.
Books can change people. Books have changed people. Books are changing our future leaders. Know a book you would like your future leaders to read? Call or text +14438134968 or send an email to gagbagwa@csaaeinc.org to nominate it.
