By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The maiden edition of the Benue U.S. Government Exchange Alumni Leadership Summit has been held in Makurdi, drawing more than 400 participants in what organisers described as the beginning of a new platform to connect young people in Benue State with global opportunities, leadership development and career advancement.

The summit, held in Makurdi, was organised by the United States Government Exchange Alumni Association of Nigeria (USGEAAN), Benue State Chapter, under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Terese Akpem.

The event attracted students, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, entrepreneurs, educators, public servants, development professionals, policymakers and U.S. Government exchange alumni.

Speaking on the vision behind the initiative, Dr. Akpem, a 2023 Mandela Washington Fellow, said the summit was conceived to expand access to international opportunities while nurturing a new generation of ethical leaders capable of driving positive change across Benue state and Nigeria.

“Our goal is to democratize access to global opportunities while cultivating ethical leadership capable of transforming communities across Benue state and Nigeria,” he said.

In a keynote address the Executive Director of DevTrain, Mr. Suunen Atsuwe challenged participants to embrace innovation, lifelong learning and purposeful leadership as essential tools for sustainable national development.

Participants also received detailed information on more than 26 U.S. Government exchange programmes during a presentation by Mr. Kengkeng Ati.

The summit further featured a panel discussion with accomplished exchange alumni, career opportunities presented by the Jobberman team, entrepreneurship and employability masterclasses, interactive engagement sessions and networking opportunities.

A major highlight of the event was the inauguration of the Benue Opportunities Hub, a community designed to provide sustained mentorship, collaboration and continued access to global opportunities for participants beyond the summit.

In his closing remarks, Dr. Akpem expressed appreciation to participants for the impressive turnout and urged them to apply the knowledge acquired during the summit while remaining connected through the newly established platform.

“I encourage participants to live up to the lessons gained from this summit and remain connected as we continue to create opportunities for growth and impact,” he said.