Mo Abudu's proposed film on global leadership accountability and change

Recommendation Letter In essence, the universality of film makes it the ultimate equalizer in seeking to communicate compelling stories and bring to the fore hidden realities of the world we live in. Mo Abudu’s proposed film seeks to not only shed light on the decay of today’s leadership, but also demonstrate the lack of accountability amongst those occupying the most important political offices. It is important to note that today, the world faces a myriad of problems including, but not limited to, disease, climate change, proliferation of nuclear weapons, and terrorism. There is no way these challenges can be addressed using the same thinking that has informed their sustenance in the past. It was Albert Einstein who once quipped; “insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Solving today’s global challenges calls for true leadership and a new thought paradigm. In that regard, therefore, there is need to shine a spotlight on the current breed of national and global leaders so as to interrogate pertinent facts in an attempt to determine whether or not the said leaders are up to the task. Mo’s proposed film seeks to hold such leaders responsible by directing the necessary attention to their abilities and shortcomings. It should be noted that in the past, leaders have been part and parcel of the promotion of the ‘responsible government’ rhetoric – however, there is too little to show towards this end. Already, there are signs that constituents are tired of the same old story. This is more so the case if the protests witnessed in the Americas, the Middle East, Europe, as well as in Africa, are anything to go by. Change is nigh and we need brave and courageous people to midwife the said change. People like Mo fit the bill. There is need for truth-tellers like Mo to tell it like it is. Mo is an accomplished individual who has attained global recognition for her works, initiatives, and entrepreneurial spirit. Being a go-getter, Mo is credited with having started a show that is billed as being the first of its kind to be syndicated across the African continent. The show has in the past hosted global dignitaries, presidents, and opinion leaders including, but not limited to, IMF director Christine Lagarde, Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari, and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. On this basis, Mo has gained critical insight into concerns that trouble the world today and how global and policy leaders, some of whom she has hosted, respond to them. This insight is likely to come in handy as she seeks to bring to bear leaders of various countries across the world and hold them responsible through her proposed film. A visionary leader, Mo continues to make use of media as a tool to bring about social change. Nothing demonstrates this better than her Sisterhood Awards – an elaborate and well-thought-out awards ceremony she initiated with an intention of celebrating women who have, against insurmountable odds, managed to excel in a variety of fields. The ceremony also seeks to realize women empowerment goals especially when it comes to collaborative efforts. The success of the awards initiative demonstrate Mo’s prowess in the utilization of media to bring to the attention of the world key issues that that require intervention i.e. women empowerment. This is a skill that could be put to use in her new endeavor to test the power of truth in leadership by telling a story based on global realities, especially with regard to corruption, entitlement, and accountability. Mo has also been variously described as “Africa’s Most Successful Woman,” “Africa’s Oprah,” and “Africa’s Queen of Media who Conquered the Continent” by Forbes, Variety, and CNN respectively. This, in essence, indicates that Mo is a global citizen who continues to garner global recognition as a result of her efforts to bring about meaningful change via her works and creations. Therefore, there is no doubt whatsoever that she will exhibit the same level of commitment to her current undertaking and succeed in refocusing the various viewpoints of the world on such an issue of great relevance. It is important to note that Mo has demonstrated communication skills and abilities which she has clearly exhibited as the hostess of her program “Moments with Mo.” In the program, Mo has in the past engaged a variety of world leaders and opinion leaders – effectively meaning that she has the ability to articulate issues and incorporate various facts to inform meaningful conversations. In that regard, therefore, I am of the opinion that she will be able to effectively engage with a multidisciplinary and talented community of scholars, artists, as well as policy makers at the facility. I met Mo in New York at an event organized by Women Werk, where she was honored with an Entrepreneur of the Year award. The event, dubbed Century for African Women Forum and Gala, was meant to commemorate the International Women’s Day. To me, Mo came across as an unassuming and self-effecting woman with whom I had so much in common. In addition to our shared interests in media and common cultural values, our vision for changing the African narrative globally seemed mutual. It is my hope that on the strength of her potential, abilities, and experience in articulating issues of global importance, Mo will be granted the opportunity to participate in the Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Center Residency Program. The relevance of the residency program cannot be overstated when it comes to the provision of a conducive environment for not only the tackling of the thought-provoking concerns of the issue at hand, but also the formulation of better viewpoints through collaboration with policy makers, artists, and global leaders.