I was scheduled to participate in the first Future Leaders Programme, but with travelling on a Nigerian passport being so “interesting,” I didn’t make the trip. Thus, I arrived for the next class with a one year head-start on the readings – The Good Society, Aristotle and Hobbes, Shooting an Elephant, Lee Kwan-Yew and Mandela and such.

I didn’t always share the point of view of fellow discussants or even the authors. This fact is almost in itself a good thing. I saw more clearly how existing dominant thought, which originated in the minds of mere mortals, shaped society and development. (Ergo if we are diligent, our own ideas and activities will define and create the society we want. )

Yes, the readings and discussions are vital to NLI, but during those intense three days we are even more thrilled by the connections with the other associates. They are diverse in fields of expertise and experience, but all infectiously positive(!) and brilliant. The May 2008 associates have formed enduring relationships.

Our projects (and pledges) have also been an important ingredient in helping us move “from success to significance, …from thought to action.” In my class, we had one group project in each of education, health, and co-ordination. We each committed to working on at least one group project and at least one personal project.

Because of our seriousness about these pledges, many of my FL class have reoriented their lives to make leadership and development work even more central. For example, I had articulated a vague idea about “scaling up” my impact as an educator…Two-and-a-half years later, with my first book published, I am becoming a popular writer. I must observe that the founder of NLI, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, has clearly taken “scaling up” to heart: from investment bank to World Bank.

…NLI Associate, May 2008