Esther Adelana is a Certified Leadership Coach, Conference Speaker, and an Author who is passionate about changing lives through public speaking and writing. She’s professionally certified in Human Resources Management, Customer Service and Relationship Management, Project Management, and Health Safety and Environment (level 1 & 2). Esther is a researcher and a participant of the African Research Councillor Programme at Wheeler Institute for Business and Development, London Business School. She is a creative writer, cultural administrator and a member of the African Youth Union Commission Nigeria, where she served as a Senior Programmes Specialist – Education in 2020/2021. As an author, she has published books on Christian living/inspirational genres, among these are; “The 360° Woman”, ‘Goal Setting Blueprint’, Profiting From Purpose’, and “Glorious Adventure” etc. Her first book “Glorious Adventure” was published and launched in 2017. She leads TEA-PRIME LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, an organization committed to the holistic growth of persons through programs, conferences, training, and outreaches. She has been working with her team since 2018, to host Purpose conference; an annual leadership summit for educators, transformational leaders, undergraduates, and emerging leaders. Esther is also the editor in Chief of TEA-Prime Magazine and an Executive member of the Association of Nigerian Authors, Abuja. She is also a member of World Innovation Alliance, an international organization in Spain that collaborates with companies, institutions and influential multidisciplinary professionals from more than 200 countries to bring solutions to the global challenges of leadership, education, health, poverty.
Esther speaks to Sunday Oyinloye, Publisher, Green Savannah Diplomatic Cable
Excerpts:
You are an Author who has published books on Christian living and inspirational genres, what informs the choice of the focus of your books?
I grew up reading non fictional books, like the books of John C. Maxwell and Brain Tracy. So, when I started writing, it was natural for me to go through that part. Also, I started teaching in Sunday School as a teenager, so this also influenced my choice of genres. However, I have been writing some fiction recently, though unpublished.
What is unique about your first book ‘Glorious Adventure’?
It’s an inspirational book. I started writing it when I was 16, and the book was finally launched when I was 20 years, as a university student. The book is an exposition on success, purpose, and spirituality for youths. It was distributed for free when it was launched. Afterwards, I have met so many people who told me the book changed their lives. So, many people read the book but they didn’t know I was the author.
Writing a book is not that easy, what should aspiring Authors do to achieve their dreams?
I see writing as a gift, just like singing. To be skilled in it, you need to master the art. Take short courses on writing. Read more books. The type of books you read indirectly affects the type of book you write. If you read fiction, you’d easily write fiction, even if you never had the talent of writing.
Apart from being an Author, you are also an Educationist, you must be aware that reading culture is no more what it used to be, what has gone wrong with the society?
It’s true that reading culture is gradually declining, among youths due to the advent of other means of education and entertainment. The 21st century youth would prefer seeing a video of a course, than reading a book on it. These days, people aren’t so much interested in reading books, because there are so many alternatives for accessing knowledge. However, there are people who don’t have access to these means of learning. They should be encouraged to read books, through incentives and scholarships. Books still remain the cheapest means of passing knowledge.
Tell me what TEA-PRIME Prime Leadership Academy is doing to mould the younger generation?
TEA-PRIME Leadership Academy is an organization committed to promoting leadership in all sectors. We do this through leadership training, webinars and master classes.
What is your involvement with the African Youth Union Commission, Nigeria?
I served as an education program specialist for the organization in 2020/2021 and I am still volunteering for the organization when needed.
Would you say Nigerian youth are ready for leadership role?
Yes, so many Nigerian youth are better positioned for leadership more than before, but few are given the opportunity. Some of them are now establishing companies on their own, since they can’t depend on the government to provide employment for them. That is leadership. Taking responsibility for one self and charting a new course in a society that doesn’t trust the young enough to lead.
What should the world expect from you in 2024?
In 2023 our organization toured four states, engaging youths in leadership development trainings. We hope to do more in 2024 with partnership and sponsorship from other organizations.
What is that thing that the world doesn’t know about this young Author?
I am all out there on social media as a public speaker and writer. There’s nothing more than that other than impacting lives and living a life of legacy.
