UGHELLI– The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) today commenced the Closeout, Learning, and Experience-Sharing Session for its inaugural Intersectional Leadership Incubator (ILI) Fellowship in Ughelli, Delta State NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The event marks the culmination of a six-month fellowship designed to build a new generation of leaders from frontline extractive and forest communities across the Niger Delta.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, expressed pride in the cohort’s achievements. “When we launched the Intersectional Leadership Incubator, our vision was clear: to build a new generation of innovative, courageous, and intersectional leaders,” Osasah stated. “Today, standing before the inaugural cohort of 22 exceptional fellows selected from a remarkable pool of 479 applicants across 10 states, I am filled with pride—pride in what you have achieved and pride in the promise you represent for your communities and for the region.”
The keynote speaker, Professor Onofere Okereka of Delta State University, Abraka, elaborated on the fellowship’s core philosophy. Represented by Dr. Amaechi Nwador, he defined intersectional leadership as an approach that “recognizes and appreciates the plural identities and experiences that define an individual perspective and understanding.” He further noted that this model, grounded in Integrationist Theory, is vital for effective project implementation, emphasizing that it involves “considering the diverse identities and experiences of team members and stakeholders to create a more inclusive and effective outcome.”
The Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, delivered a charge to the fellows, framing the closeout as a new beginning. “You are no longer participants — you are partners in progress. You have crossed from learning to leading,” Dr. Igbuzor declared. “Your projects, your advocacy, and your courage represent hope for your communities. Remember that leadership is not about position but purpose; not about titles but transformation.”
The ILI Fellowship, which began in May 2025, provided training in strategic leadership, advocacy, and project management. The 22 fellows also received small grants to implement community development projects focused on governance, environmental sustainability, and gender justice in their respective states across the Niger Delta. The closeout session, running from November 10-13, serves as a platform to showcase these projects and plan for their sustainability.
