Centre LSD Holds Closeout Session for Inaugural Intersectional Leadership Fellows in Ughelli
The African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has commenced its Closeout, Learning, and Experience-Sharing Session for the inaugural Intersectional Leadership Incubator (ILI) Fellowship in Ughelli, Delta State, PulseNets learnt.
The event, obtained by PulseNets, signals the conclusion of a six-month intensive leadership fellowship aimed at nurturing a new generation of transformative leaders from frontline extractive and forest communities across the Niger Delta region.
In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of Centre LSD, Mr. Monday Osasah, expressed delight at the fellows’ accomplishments. “When we launched the Intersectional Leadership Incubator, our goal was to raise a new crop of innovative, courageous, and intersectional leaders,” Osasah stated. “Standing before this inaugural class of 22 extraordinary fellows, selected from 479 applicants across 10 states, I feel immense pride, pride in your achievements and in the hope you represent for your communities and the Niger Delta.”
Delivering the keynote address, Professor Onofere Okereka of Delta State University, Abraka, represented by Dr. Amaechi Nwador, expounded on the fellowship’s intellectual foundation. He described intersectional leadership as a model that “acknowledges and values the multiple identities and lived experiences that shape an individual’s worldview and leadership approach.” He added that this framework, grounded in Integrationist Theory, promotes inclusivity and enhances project delivery by “considering the diverse experiences of all team members and stakeholders to achieve sustainable and effective outcomes.”
The Founding Executive Director of Centre LSD, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, in his closing charge to the fellows, emphasized that the completion of the fellowship marks a new beginning. “You are no longer participants, you are partners in progress. You’ve crossed from learning to leading,” Igbuzor declared. “Your projects, your advocacy, and your determination embody hope for your people. Remember, leadership isn’t about position but purpose, not about titles but transformation.”
PulseNets learnt that the ILI Fellowship, which began in May 2025, trained fellows in strategic leadership, advocacy, gender justice, and project management. The 22 fellows were also awarded micro-grants to execute community projects addressing governance, environmental sustainability, and gender equity across several Niger Delta states.
Also Read: Centre LSD: Petroleum Industry Act (PIA): Stakeholders in Bayelsa Discuss Full Implementation, Call for Reforms to Address Gaps
The Closeout and Learning Session, which runs from November 10 to 13, provides a platform for fellows to present the impact of their initiatives and develop sustainability strategies to scale their work beyond the fellowship cycle.
