YALI RLC: My Experience (Day 18)

11th day of October, 18th day of YALI RLC NC3, last of Mandela Washington Fellowship application, was very eventful. It also was the 3rd day we'd been receiving lectures in our different tracks. Physical exercise was observed by those who thought it necessary to do so. Breakfast was taken by those who know its importance.

At 8, there was an assembly, anchored by Mr. Kappo. Each track had a representative that gave the assembly summary of what was discussed in their different tracks the previous day. Interestingly, everyone who presented was a 'girl'. This wasn't coincidental as the day, too, was the International Girls' Day. After the recaps, a few information was passed before we all left for our respective tracks.

Dr. Obeng continued with the entrepreneurs with the 'Idea Generation Exercise'. Each group came up with some business ideas and presented them for criticism. Questions were asked; answers were given; corrections were made. Then we learnt about creating a successful value proposition, which must be memorable, inspirational, satisfying, and compelling (MISC). We learnt also how to conduct feasibility analysis, and how to make good use of a business model canvas. Group assignment was given, and presentation, again, was the following day.

Activities, at the civic leadership track, started with a presentation of the different four groups. Mr. Ahmed Musah took over by starting with the different types of proposal: academic proposal writing, and grant proposal writing. The components of grant proposal were discussed with focus on: Problem Statement, Goal, Budget and Abstract. The wise woman, Ann Iyanu, extensively talked on the characteristics of a well-written fundable proposal and ended her lecture with an advice to the class not to only look up to one funding agency in our quest for grants.

Mr. Ajibade continued with the public policy makers by teaching them about human resource planning and management. They were made to understand the cogent nature of job description and analysis in effectiveness and efficient functioning of every organization.

At about 4, we assembled again. Dr. Pascal, the 'wise man' gave a brief introduction of what we did next. The ladies had their session at the swimming pool side, while guys had theirs at the bar side. (I actually don't know what girls discussed, and for some stringent reasons, I won't disclose what guys, too, discussed.) All we know is, 'true talk' was said in both wings.

Next was dinner, but hey, it looked as though Badagry chiefs, males and females, came to shorten our ration (both food and space), but God disallowed them; we still had a good dinner.

Next and last was the creative night. My fellow participants would agree with me that the river groups that presented did some better job, to some extent, than those of the previous week. If any of my fellow colleagues doesn't agree, I'll suggest he or she should go and argue with the judges. The most interesting part of the day was, Sanaga River became the champion. I'm so proud to be a member of this river group.

That was the 18th day of the training, the day we realized we had less days to spend at ASCON than we've already spent.

Israel Ayodamola Bayode
(St. IzZzY)

Contributors:
Emmanuel Maduka
Paa Kwesy
Josiah Danbaba Umar

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