The African Jewels Development Initiative is overflowing with joy as the Plateau Emerging Leaders Fellowship (PELF) 2025 fellows graduate in Jos after a rewarding six-month journey which has transformed young visionaries into bold, compassionate leaders, leaving a legacy of hope and change across Plateau State. This landmark is a powerful testament to the fellows’ hard work, creativity, and unstoppable spirit!
PELF is an initiative of the African Jewel Development Initiative which started in April 2025 with 33 fellows selected from the 17 Local government areas of the state after a careful and thorough selection process. The energetic fellows found themselves on a journey of growth and inspiration. The cohort dove into 16 virtual leadership sessions and three electrifying in-person gatherings, guided by an incredible lineup of facilitators: Samuel Okposio, Waltong Tyoden, Dr. Timkuk Julfa, Pharm. Bernard Doro, Ms. Amina Miango, Mr. Nankpak Cirfa, Mr. Herbert Gomagallah, Ms. Ruth Ki, Ms. Esmeralda Ndam, Eng. Abubakar Sam, Mr. Lengdung Tungchamma, Ms. Omolade Ademiluyi, Hon. Samuel Dapiya, the Director General of the Plateau Environmental and Sanitation Agency.
They each explored game-changing topics which the fellowship covered such as *Personal Leadership Principles and Practice*, *Becoming an Ethical Leader*, *Grassroots Mobilization*, *Data-Driven Informed Decision Making*, and *Media and Communications for Social Impact*. Whether mastering legislative drafting or harnessing storytelling for advocacy, fellows gained tools to spark real change.
The African Jewels Development Initiative is on a mission to empower African youth through leadership, education, and community-driven change. With heart and purpose, it’s building a future where every community shines and the Plateau Emerging leaders Fellowship is a step to achieving this vision. The fellowship had partners who supported its vision to success such as Benny Capricorn, ICIDAT Technology, 418 Humanitarian Initiative, MediaDelia Communications Firm, Simplicity Concept, Changing Narrative Community Initiative, Bernard Doro Vision, Chohu Gallery, PSL Consult and many more.
The Fellowship explored community projects where nine teams poured their hearts into impactful projects across Plateau State’s local government areas (LGAs). From promoting inclusion in governance to designing innovative solutions for local challenges, these initiatives lit up communities and showed what’s possible when passion meets action. The monthly book reading challenge was another gem, igniting a love for learning and sparking lively discussions that deepened the fellows’ perspectives and bonded them as a family.
Sekyen Shitery a fellow of the 2025, cohort through a post on her social Media platform say “My PELF experience has been more than a fellowship; it’s been a season of refinement and awakening. Each conversation, challenge, and project reminded me that true leadership is born out of service, consistency, and humility.
I’ve grown in clarity, courage, and compassion, learning to see challenges as opportunities to create change.
The Founder and team lead of African Jewels Development Initiative in her comment on the fellowship in a video says “This vision started with an intention to birth a new crop of leaders in Plateau State who will be empowered enough to contribute to policy conversation and lead initiatives in their respective communities “
PELF is the first of its kind in the state and the African Jewels Development Initiative are certain that this fellowship will go a long way in promoting development in the state while creating impactful opportunities for youths to grow personally and as a community.
