“I’m Delighted To Announce My Election Into The 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship”- Excited Nigerian Man Says As He Lands In US

An excited Nigerian Man named Ikenna Ogbudimkpa has announced that he was successfully
selected into the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in recognition of his work with Vision Alive Foundation.

Ikenna who has already landed in the US shared photos on LinkedIn and wrote:

I’m delighted to announce my selection into the 2022 Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders in recognition of my work with Vision Alive Foundation.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship is an initiative of the United States Government.

During my time in the US, I will be in the Leadership in Civic Engagement track at The Presidential Precinct in the Colonial City of Williamsburg, and in Charlottesville, Virginia.

The Presidential Precinct is a four-member consortium, consisting of two premier Universities in the US— University of Virginia, and William & Mary (2nd Oldest University in the US) — and two historic sites James Madison’s Montpelier and James Monroe’s Highland.

James Madison’s Montpelier is a memorial to James Madison (4th US President), and the Enslaved Community, a museum of American history, and a center for constitutional education that engages the public with the enduring legacy of Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people.

James Monroe’s Highland will give me an insight into American history through the prism of one of its early leaders. James Monroe’s political career spanned 50 years, from soldier to governor to international diplomat to 5th President of the US.

I will also work to develop a focus project on ‘Youth Led Africa’ with emphasis on how Africa can leverage its youth population to promote participation, patriotism, and productivity of young people using technology and innovation.

I am grateful to U.S. Mission Nigeria, Exchange Programs – U.S. Department of State, and IREX for this opportunity.

It’s a great platform to join young leaders from across Africa, to explore networking while looking forward to contributing more robustly to strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and catalyzing the participation of young people in the development trajectory of Africa.

I’ll be glad to share my journey, and further step down the knowledge gained on my return to Nigeria.