RismadarVoice Reporters
November 4, 2026
National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member and youth development advocate, Cynthia Chinenye Maduekwe, popularly known as CyanahPEN, has organised an event bringing together creatives, intellectuals and emerging leaders to promote innovation, skills acquisition and national development.
The event, described by the organiser as the maiden Creatives, Intellects and Influentials Converge, reportedly took place in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on October 1, 2026, as part of activities marking Nigeria’s Independence Day.
The gathering, themed Innovative Uprising: Erasing the Olodo Uprising Through National Skillset, was designed to encourage young Nigerians to acquire practical skills, embrace creativity and explore opportunities beyond conventional career paths.
According to Maduekwe, the initiative seeks to connect young talents with experienced professionals, create opportunities for collaboration and promote knowledge-sharing across different sectors.
The programme reportedly featured discussions involving participants from various professional and creative backgrounds, with emphasis on youth empowerment and the role of innovation in addressing national challenges.
During the event, Maduekwe also unveiled her book, Before You Knew Your Name: The Love, Blood and Debt That Came… The Ultimate Architect.
The publication explores parenthood, focusing on the responsibilities, sacrifices and experiences associated with raising children.
In a related development, Maduekwe announced the registration of EngineNews, a media and industrial intelligence initiative she said had been registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
She explained that the platform would focus on engineering, manufacturing, energy, infrastructure, technology and developments shaping Africa’s industrial sector.
EngineNews also plans to establish a database of major industrial and infrastructure projects across Africa, while building a professional community involving engineers, executives, policymakers and young professionals.
According to Maduekwe, the platform aims to make complex industrial developments more accessible through journalism, research and digital storytelling.
She identified accuracy, integrity, innovation, collaboration and an African perspective informed by international standards as guiding principles for the initiative.
Maduekwe said her broader objective was to document Africa’s industrial development, highlight individuals and organisations contributing to it, and encourage young people to consider engineering and technology-related careers.
The convergence, book unveiling and proposed expansion of EngineNews reflect her stated interest in connecting youth development, creative expression and industrial knowledge-sharing.
