SUPER SOLVER OF THE WEEK #2: JOHN OKORO, PROJECT MANAGER AND ADVOCATE FOR YOUTH EMPOWERMENT

FINDING SOLUTIONS

For those who think that Motivational speaking is strictly for the older generation, well we are about to break that myth in this post.

John Okoro is a 22 year old Nigerian, a professional speaker with a passion for youths, business and human capital development. He sits on the board of 5 companies, he is a consultant to start-up business ventures and a mentor to young entrepreneurs. In 2012, he initiated the ‘Mentor-Me’ project with a team of 7 friends, which featured big industry experts such as Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nuhu Ribadu, Oby Ezekwesili, Linus Okorie among others.

We are intrigued by this dynamic young man, his drive and motivation. This week, our Super Solver of the Week is John Okoro: sharing his passion, the reason behind the mentor-me project and his future plans.

Who is John Okoro?

My name is John Okoro. My Dad is a Chartered accountant, and my Mum is an Agro-entrepreneur. I am the 2^nd of 4 children. I grew up in a strict, God-fearing home where integrity, probity, and service to humanity were ingrained in us as values for living. I obtained my first degree from Covenant University, and completed the National Youth Service Scheme in 2013. I am a professional speaker and business Development consultant.  I live in Abuja but travel a lot due to the demands of my professional speaking career.

What do you consider to be Nigeria’s greatest challenge?

I consider Nigeria’s greatest challenge to be that of coping with her ever growing young population. Nigeria, like many other African countries, is saddled with the responsibility of implementing policies and programs that will engage the growing young population, harness their resourceful energies, and create opportunities across all levels for their benefit.

In 2013, I was invited by the International Federation for Training and Development Organization to deliver a speech at the 43^rd Africa-Regional conference in Abuja. The conference centered on youth unemployment, and addressing the issues that directly affects youths. I stated there that a fast growing young population is the major challenge facing most African economies, and a failure to develop an action plan for addressing this issue could have severe consequences.

How have you addressed this challenge?

The challenge of youth unemployment cannot be addressed by single units in isolation; we all have our respective roles to play. Since the age of 14, I have been involved in initiatives with the potential to inspire young Nigerians to become better individuals by thinking differently and responsibly. In 2011, I set up a company with a friend to focus on capacity building for youths through various initiatives and we have reached out to over 3000 young people so far.

In 2012, I initiated a joint project with 6 other young people tagged ‘Mentor-Me Project’. The project sought to address an area of youth engagement which was lacking - Mentorship.

My Social Responsibility is focused on young people, and this is a passion that keeps growing every day.

Tell us more about Mentor-Me Project

The concept of Mentorship and its potency for calibrating young people for success is one that has being an object of study for me since 2009. During that period, I organized a conference tagged ‘Mentor 1.0’ in Covenant University which featured excellent speakers such as Okechukwu Ofili and Akin Akinpelu at the event. It was a huge success.

So in 2012, we started the ’Mentor-Me’ Project which aimed at creating a platform for young Nigerians to be mentored by role models. We received support from great minds like Dr. (Mrs) Oby Ezekwesili and Mallam Nuhu Ribadu who provided immense advice and encouragement in the course of the Project. Between January and October 2013, we held four of such mentoring sessions.

How successful was the Mentor-Me Project?

The success of any social initiative should be measured by how many lives were touched and impacted by the project.

I believe ’Mentor-Me’ was a success, the project directly reached out to over 500 young people in one year with lots of testimonies and endorsements from notable Nigerians.

We even got requests and calls from young people in some other states asking to replicate the project in their states. I also got similar calls from an individual in Kenya and another in Uganda asking to organize similar events in their countries

.In your opinion, what is the greatest obstacle to youths in Nigeria today?

I must confess that from my study and personal experiences, the greatest obstacle to any individual, whether young or old, is the wrong attitude and mindset. Nothing can limit an individual with the right attitude to life. In my interactions with young people like myself, I have found out that those that have the right mindset and disposition always succeed and achieve great feats, while those with the wrong mindset always engage in frivolities. I believe so much in the words of Abraham Lincoln who said, ‘Your own resolution to succeed is the most important thing’. The mind is a great asset if well used but it can also become a great obstacle if the wrong attitude is allowed to settle and take root.

Tell us what inspires you to create change?

There are three things that fuel my vision and ignite my passion to create value wherever I find myself.

The first is in an appreciation for the privilege of living and being alive. I see this as a gift from God, one I must show my appreciation for by the way I conduct myself towards others.

The second is the inspiration that comes from an enduring family legacy. I have been brought up by the most principled of personalities-my Dad and Mum. I feel each day a duty to preserve this legacy of probity and selflessness by living each day accountable to God, my family, and myself.

The third is an inspiration that emanates from an assurance that there are other young people across the world making significant decisions and leaving indelible footprints. This inspires me a lot.

I believe that success is incomplete without a balanced life. 

Super Solver of the week is our special post to celebrate young Nigerians doing extraordinary work in Nigeria despite all odds. We celebrate them and showcase them to the global community. Do you have anyone who fits this description? We would love to do make them a super solver, Send us an e-mail today with their profile and we will.