A former Managing Director of Financial Institutions Training Centre(FITC), Dr Lucy Surhyel Newman recently launched her new book titled- ‘African Leaders Tete A Tete’ on Friday 18th November in a virtual setting.
The virtual book launch conveyed distinguished leaders and pioneers across the world.
In her opening remark, Dr Newman explained that the title of the book represented the Francophone and Anglophone parts of Africa and everything about the book is orchestrated to depict the Africa in global setting. She said, “In this book every race is represented and they are all friends of Africa –our first home. It is dedicated to family. Everything about this book is orchestrated because African is a multi racial entity.
The grey colour on the cover was used because it is conservative, rich and mysterious while red is synonymous with passion which correlates with African history present and tomorrow. The dumbbells show the sections of the book”.
The guest speaker, Mr. Atedo Peterside, CON, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, President and founder, Anap Foundation in his good will message highlighted the effort of Dr Newman in championing Diaspora to participate in African leadership. “I particularly like her continuous mention of the Diaspora. I specially commend her and I think this is a very great effort on her path. I have no doubt that this book will provoke thoughts in many places, said Peterside.
Likewise, Ambassador Ombeni Sefue, Chairperson Institute of African Leadership for Sustainable Development (Uongozi Institute) Tanzania who also wrote the foreword of Dr Newman’s book stated that “her focus is on the role African in Diaspora can play and the contribution they can make. It shows you can be a global citizen as Dr Newman without being disengaged from your mother country and government and contribute to its transformation and journey with new ideas, perspectives while retaining the African view”.
On her part, the Deputy Chief, Operations Management, IMF Institute for capacity development sees the African Leaders Tete A Tete as an instrument to lead a transformative leadership in Africa. She said, “It provided us with much needed dialogue on how transformative leadership can positively impact the prosperity of the continent of Africa”. .
The virtual book launch also had other guest speakers and participants such as: founder, Hale Associates, Dr. Judith A Hale Ph.D CPT.; Ag. Head, Diaspora Division Directorate of Citizens & Diaspora Organisation (CIDO), The African Union Commission, Ms Angela NAA Afoley Odai; Suleyman Ndanusa; Samson Anggaya Mshelbwala; Hagen Schwenitz; Dr Suleman Danusai; Samson Mshelia; Kabelo and Claske Lekala
