By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – A peace advocate and educationalist, Amb. Adekunle Badmus, has called for more investment in education sector to develop generations of Nigerians who will contribute meaningfully to nation building.
He made the appeal after receiving an award from the Youth Education and Leadership Initiative (YELI) in Abuja on Saturday.
Badmus, who is a UN Ambassador for Quality and Affordable Education in Africa, said education would elevate more Nigerians and take young people away from crime.
“We believe a developed mindset is what can constitute a developed nation,” he added.
According to him, his organisation, Goodmus Learning Centre Ltd, has assisted no fewer than 600 Nigerian students within and outside the country in the last five years.
Badmus said that the beneficiaries received scholarship to study in African countries and some private universities in Nigeria.
Amb Adekunle Badmus CEO Goodmus Learning Centre Ltd (right) with Amb. Ahmedu Ahmedu, President, Youth Education and Leadership Initiative (YELI)
He added that the organisation’s ultimate aim was to engage 18 million Nigerians across the 774 local government areas in the country to acquire meaningful education.
According to him, this will be possible if all the local councils enter into an agreement with his organisation to harness and engage young people at the grassroots.
Badmus, who is based in Turkey, said it was important for Nigerians who have made it in life to give back to the society.
“This award will encourage me to do more, as for 17 years now we have been aiding people studying abroad, and
for the past five years we have been implementing education programmes in agreement with government.
“We will impact more people especially at the grassroots to help reduce all manner of vices involving the youth,” he added.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 66 people were honoured by YELI for their services to humanity and being strong advocates of peace in the country.
Amb. Amedu Amedu, President of the organisation said that the beneficiaries were unique religious, social, political, business and humanitarian leaders.
He added that they were honoured because of their various contributions to the service of God, empowerment of humankind and immeasurable impact on society.
“The purpose is to encourage them as change ambassadors for peace and humanity to render better and more services, especially to the teaming unemployed and vulnerable in the society,” he added.
YELI is an NGO committed to promoting reading culture among young people for self discovery and ensuring effective leadership for peace, youth and integral development.
It has several partners among which are the World Leaders Forum Ireland, Canadian Health Sciences Institute, Justice and Human Rights, Romania.
The theme of the peace conference and humanitarian award is “Beyond COVID-19 pandemic, the role of change ambassador for peace and humanity in the actualisation of SDGs”.
The event was used to launch the Global Smart Climate Youth Forum, World Leaders Forum, and the UN Peace Village by Canadian, Irish and Korean Global Ambassadors. (NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
