Are you among those YOUTHS who still live by “I am too young" mentality, or those who believe societal problems shouldn't irk their life? Such mentality is where the problem really lies.
No one is too young to impact the society and be the cause of change.
If you still see yourself as being too young to impact lives and cause change, why not take your time to look into the lives of these young change makers impacting lives in the society.
Malala Yousfzai (17Years:)
Malala, now 17, was shot in the head by a Taliban gunman 2years ago in Pakistan after coming to prominence for her campaigning for education for girls. That wasn't enough reason for her to quit but she pushed on and kept pushing forward.
She won for what the Nobel committee called her “heroic struggle” for girls’ right to an education.
SHE IS THE YOUNGEST EVER WINNER OF THE PRIZE.
Grace Ihejiamaizu (23years:
She is a Sociologist lecturer at the University of Calabar, Nigeria and a Social Entrepreneur and Global Changemaker with over five years of experience working in the nonprofit and youth development sector. She's the founder of Raising Young and Productive Entrepreneurs (RYPE Initiative) and iKapture Networks. Grace is also the founder and chief editor of Opportunity Desk, one of the largest online platforms for information on youth opportunities, scholarships, events, summits, etc. She was named one of Google’s 12 Brightest Young Minds in 2011. She's a role model to many African youths who are making impact and those ready to impact lives.
Toyosi Akerele (30years):
She is the founder and CEO of RISE Networks, a leading Social Enterprise with a deliberate interest in Technology and its relevance to Youth and Education Development across Africa.
She was in June of 2011 described by Mrs. Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the United States of America, as one of her personal inspirations in a televised address to America as a prelude to her arrival in Africa for the Young African Women Leaders Forum of which Toyosi remains the only Nigerian member till date.
Gbenga Sesan (36years):
He's the founder and Executive Director of Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, a social enterprise that connects Nigerian youth with ICT-enabled opportunities and focuses on consulting, research, telecentre support, youth-led social technopreneurship and capacity building. In October 2001, he was appointed Nigeria’s first Information Technology Youth Ambassador.
LINDA IKEJI (34YEARS):
Linda Ikeji who turned 34 years on the 19th of September is an Ex-model, Entrepreneur, Ace blogger, and Owner(founder) of one of the most visited sites(BLOGS) in Nigeria Today.She is highest paid Nigerian blogger.She's a role model to many bloggers both within and outside Nigeria. Today, you can't talk about blogging without mentioning Linda Ikeji.
GOSSY UKANWOKE (26 years):
Gossy is a 26 year old Higher Education Investor, supporting access to Learning and Education for young people in under-served communities. He has worked with African governments on the development of policies to assist better learning.
He is Founder at Beni American University and BAU Online – Nigeria’s first online institution.
In 2011, Cossy was named Africa’s Top Tech Entrepreneur by IT News. In 2012 and 2013, he was a finalist on the The Future Africa Awards for his work in Innovating Education on the African continent. Gossy’s work has been profiled on CNN, Forbes, The Huffington Post and more.
Recently, he was named the Young Person of the Month (November) at Opportunity Desk.
Chude Jideonwo (29years):
Chude Jideonwo is a Nigerian lawyer, award-winning journalist and media entrepreneur and the co-founder of Red Media Africa, a leading marketing and corporate communication company that is subsidiary of the Red Media Group. Chude also founded EnoughisEnough Nigeria, one of the country’s foremost civic participation groups. He is the youngest journalist ever to interview a sitting Nigerian president; securing an exclusive sit- down with Dr. Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.
Linda Iheme (24years):
Linda Iheme is an African Youth Activist, Social Entrepreneur, Dentist (in training), Speaker, Mentor, Certified Business Coach, & TV Host. She's is the founder of IIF YIGAD (International Initiative For Youths Inspiration, Growth And Development) which focuses on training youths on social entrepreneurship.
Her most recent work, #LunchWithLindaIheme, is a monthly Facebook photo contest with awesome rewards for winners of which Acha Harrison emerged winner of the season 2 contest (A picture quote contest on “My African Dream"). “Frankly speaking, it was a nice moment with Linda and I was really INSPIRED"—Acha Harrison.
Dr. Ola Orekunrin ( 26years):
She is a medical doctor, a trainee helicopter pilot and an entrepreneur and founder of Flying Doctors Nigeria, West Africa’s first air ambulance service which provides urgent air ambulances services to leading health institutions, insurance and private companies in Lagos Nigeria.
Philani Hlophe:
Philani is a Young Vibrant African Flame with Desperate Dreams and Deep Desires. He's the Founder of Ignite The Youth Africa; a forum where African Youth converge to and ponder on ways to move Africa forward. “He is our Madiba”— Ede Nida Eghafona.
The future belongs to the YOUTHS and NOW is the FUTURE.
Are you still feeling too young???
Wake up!
Dream Big!
You too can make it to the list of Young Change makers. Start up something you are passionate about today and keep touching lives.
