Whatever you do, do it well – Olumide Idowu

Olumide’s story is associated with a student network (Aiesec) that has been in existence in Nigeria for over 50 years. This 25 years old graduate of Statistics from the University of Abuja is occupying several leadership positions and he is making a difference in Nigeria and overseas.

He tells Youthful Vibes in this interview about his enthusiasm for sustainable development and his interest in providing support and training for young people on several issues not limited to Environmental issues. Olumide is responsible for the Communications & Public Relations for AIESEC Nigeria.

My motivation to join AIESEC

AIESEC offers you an opportunity to put theory into practice and gain practical international experience. I realized that Aiesec has a great wealth of experience in developing high-potential youth into globally minded responsible leaders. Thus, it got me thinking and today, I am glad I joined.

As a member, I have obtained experience on Sales and Accounts Management to be able to work locally and globally. Also, you become part of an exciting, driven global network.  It helps you to be able to contribute to societal change while exploring your  own vision for a positive impact on society.

Impacting Young people

I have been able to develop a change in the area of Leadership, which helps a large number of youth both in the network and outside the network to demonstrate integrity. We develop different projects and campaigns to see how we can make the youth voice heard across Africa.

We have an approach which leads to development of young people. The AIESEC approach to enabling young people to discover and develop their potential is a full experience with several stages that is based on a few key principles.  This approach, which comes through the AIESEC Platform, helps to build young people that have the desire and capacity to have a positive impact in society - that is the AIESEC Difference

Climate Change initiative

With the help of God and my dedication to selfless service I was able to initiate a project that has positively influenced young. I belong to a group called Nigerian Youth Climate Coalition [NYCC] which I presently serve as the Youth Engagement officer.

Prior to this, I was selected to serve as the Information Manager for Africa Youth on Climate Change (AYICC).  Through this platform, we have established Green clubs in both secondary and tertiary institutions so as to promote climate change impact mitigation and adaptation.

These Green Clubs exist to discover, inspire, develop and connect young people who are passionate about their environment and also they  clear their path in the world by changing the culture of organizations and the direction of policies bothering on the Environment.  We’re creating a world in which young people have the confidence to lead and everyone understands we need them to.

I had the privilege to set up Engaging Naija Youth on Climate Change Project.  This is a Climate Change youth communication project that runs in Niger Delta states of Delta, Imo and Ondo states. This was funded by BNRCC/NEXT. This project involved peer education and Media Advocacy with the establishment of Climate Change school Clubs in the project states. (April – Nov. 2010).

We are working tirelessly to launch a Climate Change Book Project.  NYCC is currently collecting and drafting a climate change book, titled ”Climate Change and Young People in Nigeria: Nigerian Youth see their Future in the Balance”. The overall goal of this book project is to acknowledge works done, inspire and inform more young people while enhancing youth Policy advocacy in Nigeria.  Again we want to celebrate young people who are at the Frontier on Climate change in Nigeria. We won’t die silently.

My words for fellow youths

Let them keep the spirit of Leadership on! ‘You must make up your mind what you want out of life.  That thing that you have chosen, you must never give up.  Whatever your hands and your head find to do: do it with all your might!

L-R: Hamzy, Olumide & Peace Corps During the Earth Hour 60+ Campaign

By Victor Gotevbe, VANGUARD.