DWAN Trains Deaf Women On Leadership Skills

Last week, the Deaf Women Association of Nigeria (DWAN) organized a unique leadership training to improve leadership skills of members in the Southwest zone. The immediate objective was to enhance the leadership capacity of the association at State level.

The 2-day event was hosted by Ekiti State chapter of the association. Elected executives of the association from across Southwest Nigeria convened for this first ever edition.

Participants were lectured on leadership competencies to boost their capacities on the leadership journey. Dignitaries in attendance included Deaconess Mrs. Adedoyin Beyioku-Alase, (DWAN founder), DINABI’s Executive Director, Olajide Funso, GRIP’s Barr. Rita Ilevbare, amongst others.

The workshop afforded participants opportunity to be empowered through policy measures for sustainable development. Members of the executive council on other hand were exposed to core skills to successfully direct the affairs of Deaf women in Nigeria.

At the workshop, DINABI’s Executive Director, Olajide Funso took the women through a session on “Essential Leadership Skills”. He defined Leadership as a process by which a person influences others to accomplish an objective while directing the organization in a way that makes for cohesion and coherence. Leadership, according to Olajide is a relationship in which one person influences others to work together willingly on related tasks and to attain what the leader desires.

Olajide also highlighted differences between being a boss and a leader. He says a boss depends on authority, inspires fear, uses the first person “I” all the time, takes advantage of people, claims credit for success etc. A leader however rides on goodwill of followers, generates enthusiasm, says “we”, gives credit to members and says “let’s go”.

The DINABI founder also spoke extensively on various leadership skills and qualities such as integrity, ability to delegate, communication, self-awareness, gratitude, influence, empathy, courage, respect, conflict resolution/management, active listening, accountability, trustworthiness, strategic thinking, people management, change management, planning and delivery. Discussions also centered on whether leaders were made or born.

National President of DWAN, Mrs Hellen Beyioku-Alase, speaking on advocacy skills urged the women to take advantage of the workshop to sharpen their knowledge and capacity in order to create the needed change we all yearn for.

She encouraged them not to look down on themselves but rather see themselves as God’s handiwork who can do anything and accomplish great things in life.

Participants pledged to employ leadership skills learnt at the workshop in their various States associations, organizations and life endeavours.