They are now leaders confirmed in agricultural development based to the systemic approach of Songhai. Thirty (30) applicants admitted on 15 September 2015 for six months training under the Songhai Leadership Academy (SLA), have completed their training. On Friday 4 March 2016, they received their certificate. It was during a ceremony, during which several of them testified.
The most moving speech has been that of the top of the class Adebukola Abiola Akintoye, while congratulating the Director of Songhai Centre for his brilliant initiatives, praised the merits of the man. According to her, if no man like Godfrey Nzamujo had not existed, he should have been created for the development of the continent. This man with a fertile mind is steeped in knowledge, skills and creativity. Adebukola A. Akintoye recalled some great moments spent in exchanging with Fr Nzamujo on some of his development concepts; the speech moved the whole audience mainly made of the Ambassador of France in Benin and the international scientific partners of Songhai. The international scientific partners spoke in the same line as the top of the first batch of SLA. Pierre Tachon and Charlton Charles, respectively Fish Expert from Toulouse and voluntary Adviser for CESO/SACO (Canadian government agency), expressed all their pleasure working with Fr Nzamujo and his employees. The first arrived in Songhai as part of a livestock research development of new species program and also took part in SLA program for which he expressed a particular interest and showed all his availability to participate. For the expert in fish farming, “the Songhai global method” is the only one he knows “to really address the development problems of Africa.” Hence the importance of the SLA program essentially aiming at training a new generation of human resources capable of addressing current challenges of development in Africa and around the world.
The basis of any development being human, SLA trainees were trained to be able to “harness the opportunities that exist around them, to create wealth,” said Fr Nzamujo. The Director of Songhai is convinced that his trainees have “become true leaders who will galvanize the society”, something that Aline Kuster-Menager has no doubt about. “I do not doubt that you have transmitted to these young trainees, your enthusiasm, your vision and your own leadership,” said the Ambassador of France in Benin, adding that nothing could be done without the vision and determinism of Fr Nzamujo. In this sense, the Ambassador expressed all the happiness of the AFD to support the initiative. She reminded the leaders that they are not to become civil servants, but creators of wealth, inventive entrepreneurs, creative that will revolutionize their country. Therefore, the representative of AFD in this ceremony hoped that the leaders will be followed up and coached from distance; she also wished that they start networking in order to share their experiences.
The lectures received focused on leadership and agricultural entrepreneurship, design and management of an integrated production system and human development. The resumption of the second batch of the program in Songhai is scheduled for April 2016.
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