“Youths are not passengers on development change; they have a role to play” ......Mnasekgoa Masire Mwamba

Deputy Secretary General of Commonwealth Foundation, Mnasekgoa Masire Mwamba

 “Branding is not something you impose, it’s something you expose”.

This was the words of the Deputy Secretary General of Commonwealth Foundation, Mnasekgoa Masire Mwamba at the 2012 YALDA Conference held at the Archid Hotel, Lagos, Nigeria.

Mnasakgoa in her keynote address admonished the youths to always participate in the nation building and not wait for the government to do everything for them.

“Youths are not passengers on development change; they have a role to play”

While addressing the youths, she stated that for every organization to employ a worker, they will only look at your certificate, but will want to see what you can offer and not more emphasis on the certificate.

She further identified the following factors to put into consideration; Differentiating Yourself, True value and desire, Communication, Branding and Being the difference.

The Deputy Secretary, in her closing remark, stressed the need to always put the “WHY” factor into consideration because it is very important while establishing a business and also investors don’t look at our certificates, but regard your “why” on what you can offer.

Furthermore, in an interview with a Kenyan National David Otieno, at the conference, applauded the organisers of the event, stating that it has helped him to learn more, meet people from other countries and most especiatially helped to change the negative perception he had about Nigeria.

“I have been able to aquire more leadership skills and it has helped develop my mental strength. I hope to go back to my country, Kenya, and get young school leavers and start up a Non-Governmental Agency to help realize your potentials”.