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21.
June
2017.
Interview opp: Meet the woman building an army of reformers

Good morning,
 
The day before the official launch of a new book called Reformers Arise (Panoma Press), we invite you to consider interviewing the author, an incredible business woman (born in Nigeria and now dividing her time between the UK and Africa) who seeks to inspire 20-35 year olds to join her army of reformers to execute transformation projects in her homeland of Africa, but also here in the UK at a time when there is massive social, political and economic unrest. We are currently in a state of major change and transformation strategist, business leader and author Alero Ayida-Otobo has written a book that seeks to build the momentum for positive change on a global scale. Below is an interview with Alero that you are welcome to use for your own editorial, but hopefully it will also inspire you to request a copy of this new book and to speak to Alero about her plans for a Reformers Arise Community, Academy and Army.

To read the advance information sheet for Reformers Arise please visit: https://literallypublicrelations.wordpress.com/2017/06/13/advance-information-reformers-arise-by-alero-ayida-otobo/.
  
Kind regards,
Helen Lewis
Literally PR Ltd
07904801669 



Syndicated Interview with Alero Ayida-Otobo 

  1. What is your goal for Reformers Arise following publication?

I have two main goals: the first is to create an online training programme that would deepen the key learning outcomes from the book. Secondly, to create a Reformers Arise Community that would facilitate the exchange of ideas and talent across nations and the execution of transformation projects

 

  1. If you could choose just three world leaders/game-changers to read your book who would they be and why?

I would choose three game changers from three spheres of Influence that shape culture in a profound way: Education; Politics and Government; Business and Economy:

 

  • Education - Sir Kenneth Robinson

  • Politics and Government - Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda

  • Business and Economy - Bill Gates

 

And Why?Ken Robinsonchallenged the status quo thinking about education and the undue emphasis on left brain thinking. His TED talk on ‘Do schools kill creativity?' in 2006 created quite a stir and has over 45million views. He has caused many nations to change their education system and specifically their curriculum - to nurture (rather than undermine) creativity.

Paul Kagame- epitomises the true reformer - his character is built on strong values, and his competence - he turned a nation in the aftermath of a war into one that is fast becoming a Second-world nation. Kigali, the capital, is an amazing city where things work! His great influence and willingness to collaborate with national and international development partners to turn Rwanda into a model African nation.

Bill Gates- he put in over 10,000 hours (the 10,000 hour rule referenced in my book) as a teenager and young adult to create what today is Microsoft. He started young. He was committed and determined and how he spent his time reflected this.

  1. Why is now the right time for people to come together to form an army of social reformers?

Several nations are facing some of the most challenging times in their history. The changing political landscapes in the United States, the United Kingdom and several countries in Africa are challenging status quo and throwing up issues that are drawing attention to the many areas where society is broken - education, media, health systems and even government. It takes a different kind of thinking to fix broken systems. Social reformers are wired and trained to think in a way that addresses deep seated issues. They also strive to develop the technical competence to design solutions to address these issues. Anything less than this approach leads to superficial social action with minimal impact over time.

  1. You have worked at board level as the only and first woman in a particular FS company in Africa...what positive experiences did you have in that role, and what challenges did you face?

Let me start with the challenges. I faced two major prejudices - gender and age. I was not just the only woman on the board I was also the youngest. It took overturning a board decision for me to get the right attention I wanted. Now for the positive experiences - I learnt that it is important to be prepared always. Do your homework; arrive at board meetings knowledgeable and prepared. Know which battles to fight. Determine which board or organisational issues are important for you and learn to step back from arguments that do not impact your priority issues

  1. Why is it important for you that your book talks to young people (20-35)? What is it about this generation that makes them the right audience for Reformers Arise?

Young People run with vision so well; they have creative energy and the strength to build. When they are tired of a given situation with the right motivation they are willing to take risks that older people with ‘commitments' are unwilling to take. Young people often run at a pace that older people cannot keep up with. They are not set in their ways and seem to be better wired to try new things - new technology; new solutions; new direction. 

  1. If someone believes, after reading your book, that they want to reform themselves first, before working to reform their nation, what help can they get from you? Where else can they go for help and support, ideas and strategies?

Go to Reformers Academy and take the online course and delve deeper. I will also point them to nation building partners that the Reformers Arise Network has partnered with and will be partnering with such as ‘Restore7' USA and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 

  1. You mention in the book that when you ask someone to describe Africa you can get so many different responses - some negative (the image of a starving child with a bloated belly), some positive (beautiful animals wandering wild in stunning landscapes). What image do you wish could prevail when you ask someone on the street (be it in Africa or Europe) to describe Africa?

The image of the modern, creative, vibrant, urban Africa. Stunning colours, children going to school in the morning and adults going to work that adds value and impacts the economy. The image of well-constructed sky scrapers; beautiful manicured medians on roads that are well tarred. No squalor. Great Order that replaces the current disorder. Businesses and government offices that work! What I have described is the fast developing capital of Rwanda - Kigali.

  1. What is the first step to reforming a nation?

The first step is the transformation of individuals - ‘Personal transformation precedes National transformation'. An un-regenerated mind-set whose thinking is un-changed cannot transform its surroundings, environment or the nation. 

  1. What sets reformers apart from the rest?

Several distinguishing qualities set them apart. I mention and discuss many of these interesting and sometimes unusual qualities in the book. I'll mention just five here:

-reformers are sound-shapers

-reformers are a new tribe

-reformers are bridges

-reformers are risk takers

-reformers are history makers

  1. Have you always wanted change for your homeland, Africa, or did your desire for an army of social reformers evolve over time?

It evolved over time as I got involved with different development projects and programmes. As I worked in the private sector and served in the public sector I found myself asking many questions - why was my nation not changing at the speed one expected and desired? Why was so much money being expended annually yet society did not change at the rate of expenditure. In my quest to answer these questions I began to notice that certain kinds of people were more successful and more impactful than others. What made these people distinctive? What were the distinguishing qualities? The answers I discovered is what is unveiled in my book 'Reformers Arise'.

  1. Is this book part of your legacy? What else do you hope to be known for?

The short answer - yes it is part of my legacy. For impacting a whole generation to want more and do more.

  1. Do you think Africans living in the UK should read this book? What can they do for the African continent from the UK?

Yes, it is a must-read for Africans who live in the UK and in Europe. Why? Many have been well trained and often demonstrate professional competence in their field of endeavour. Professional competence is the second valuable prerequisite of an effective reformer. What they need to now understand is a sense of deep purpose and that perhaps they have been prepared for a time such as this - to have impact in nations in Africa that desperately need solution carriers that know what to do and how to do it. Reformers Arise is a wake-up call; an igniting and activating sound that hopefully creates desire for more and builds momentum in those that read the book. Those who choose to remain in the UK can still contribute by offering their skills and knowledge through knowledge sharing and consulting, short-term volunteering and becoming more vocal in their demanding for change. 

  1. Do you think the UK needs its own army of social reformers?

Short answer: A Loud YES!! Why? Read the Book! But more seriously - the United Kingdom has several systems that are broken in society and they need to call out the "fixers' - the reformers to arise and repair.