Adeola Austin Oyinlade, an associate of the October 2010 Class has recently been commended by the U.S Government news blog for helping Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike know their rights. Adeola Austin Oyinlade is the United Nations-UPF/YFWP Young Ambassador for Peace. He has written articles in contribution towards national issues such as good governance in economic and social development, peace and security, human rights, democracy, rule of Law and United Nations Millennium Development Goals which have been published in local and international magazines, daily newspapers and commendations from the United Nations for his ‘interest in and support of the United Nations. Read more

Muntaqa Umar-Sadiq, Idris Bello and their team have recently received the Angel investor funding and the Cambridge University Entrepreneurship Angel prize, the highest honour of entrepreneurship in the University of Cambridge, to develop a concept – ‘Elpida Cambridge Health’

The concept is an innovative aggregated point of care diagnostic toolbox (focuses on AIDS,TB and Malaria) with an integrated health data reporting technology that tracks the incidence and sub types of disease strains tested. It seeks to equip mobile doctors that provide care in rural communities with a cost effective, rapid healthcare delivery (early detection) platform – with the potential to have an estimated 23.2% budget impact cost saving. It streamlines the typical 2 week diagnosis cycle into 20 minutes.

Read more>>>

Friends of the Global Fund Africa, in partnership with the United Nations Foundation, TY Danjuma Foundation, Global Impact and Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria hosted a special dinner for the Secretary General of the United Nations, H.E Mr. Ban Ki-Moon at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, on Monday May 23, 2011.

The dinner titled “Implementing the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health in Nigeria: Opportunities for Private Sector and Civil Society Engagement” created a platform for stakeholders to discuss the opportunities for Nigeria to contribute in the realisation of the Global Strategy for Women’s and Children’s Health otherwise known as “Every Woman, Every Child”.

Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, an associate of the May 2010 Class and the immediate past Political Secretary to the Speaker, House of Representatives Abuja, won the House of Rep. election for Shinkafi/Zurmi Federal Constituency, Zamfara State.

He is a Business Management graduate from the University of Maiduguri. Shinkafi won against an incumbent Rep member and another aspirant by an unbelievable margin. Against all odds, and a confirmation of his wide popularity, Shinkafi polled a total of 389 votes to defeat incumbent Bello Abubakar Moriki with 93 votes, while another contestant, Isiaka Mohammed Zurmi, got no vote. From all indices, Shinkafi would take his seat in the Green Chamber, as his constituency and state is firmly in the grip of PDP in the state and other aspirants have pledged to give their full support during the general election.

Luke Onofiok, an associate of the October 2009 Class and immediate past Speaker of Nigeria Youth Parliament, won the State House of Assembly election for the Nsit Ubim constituency of Akwa Ibom State.

During his campaign, Barrister Onofiok Luke identified education as his specific interest if given the mandate to represent his people, he promised to seek for ways to give free education programme legislative backing to help in the sustenance of the programme.

Barrister Onofiok Luke who dropped the hint in his home town, Ikot Etobo, Nsit Ubium during the presidential elections, told the newsmen that the bill will help successive administrations from 2015 to continue in funding the free education project, describing it as a worth-while programme that will shape the future of Akwa Ibom children, thereby making them to compete favourably with their contemporaries across the universe.

He also promised to embark on a programme that will promote sporting activities in schools; encourage debate, quiz competitions and also revive the virtually crumbling reading culture among pupils.

On March 16th, 2011, in New York, Nigeria’s current Trade & Investment Minister and former Finance Minister, former MD of Goldman Sachs UK and former TechnoServe board member was honoured alongside other successful professionals who have demonstrated exceptional achievement, leadership and innovation in their careers

NLI Fellow Associate and Former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has become the Presidential Flag bearer of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN at the party’s convention at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos.

Ribadu was declared winner after Attahiru Bafarawa and Saidu Malami withdrew from the race.
Ribadu is expected to slug it out with incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan who emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP candidate.

The 2011 Future Awards finale (www.thefuturenigeria.com) held in Lagos on Sunday the 30th of January.

NLI had her own share of joys as leaders associated with NLI featured prominently in the awards ceremony.

The future awards was organised by a company run by an NLI associate, Chude Jideonwo.

Mr Segun Aganga, Founder NLI delivered the keynote address.

2 NLI associates bagged awards: Tolu Ogunlesi (Young Journalist of the year) and Bode Pedro (Young Business Owner of the year)

Adeola Austin Oyinlade

University of Lagos law student, Adeola Austin Oyinlade has won this year 7th Annual Nigerian Youth Leadership Awards of LEAP AFRICA. Leadership, Effectiveness, Accountability & Professionalism (LEAP) Africa is a non-profit organization developing dynamic, innovative and principled leaders who will drive Africa’s realization of its full potential and it recognizes and celebrates the contribution of Young people to Nigeria’s development.

Adeola, who was commissioned on May this year as United Nations Young Ambassador for Peace for his contribution to National and International development will on today (Thursday), 11th of November, be presented LEAP AFRICA awards among other four young Nigerians out of over 140 young people nominated for this year awards at Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos through his initiative, ‘KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION.’

According to Adeola, “KNOW YOUR CONSTITUTION” on UNILAG 103.1 FM, a community radio station, is a radio programme being presented to Lagosian (people residing in Lagos State) in a simple language that ordinary man on the street can comprehend. He stressed further that the programme asks people from all walks of life on the awareness of their rights as contained in the Nigeria’s constitution and other laws in force in Nigeria. The young ambassador also brings lawyers to studio to educate people on the positions of law to solve legal issues that arise in listeners daily activities. Among Legal luminaries that have contributed on the programme to educate people include, Muhammad Lawal Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria; Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, immediate past president of the Nigerian Bar Association; Professor Akin Oyebode, International law expert; Professor Oyelowo Oyewo, Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos; Mr. Bamidele Aturu, Human Rights Activist; Professor Ayo Atsenuwa; and Mr. Akintayo Akinola, Mr. Malachi Ugwumandu, human rights experts, among others.

In his words: “My mission and vision for this initiative is to contribute immensely to expanding the frontiers of liberty, human rights, democracy and happiness of ordinary citizens in Nigeria; to also empower Nigerians and Non-Nigerians alike on how to enforce their rights and to achieve delisting Nigeria from the list of Human rights violation countries”. The programme, ‘Know Your Constitution’ has however, empowered citizens to make legal decisions on legal matters.

Many Listeners who had land issues for example with ‘OMO ONILE’ (Land sellers), after free legal counsel on the programme now boast of valid titles over plot of lands.
The programme has also created easy access to the Lagos State Police should there be emergency and effective response from Lagos state police command to the yearning of Lagos residents. Hear him: “I invited the Lagos State Police Public Relation officer, Mr. Frank Mba, live on the programme to speak on ‘the constitutional power of the police and its duties’ and I also allowed listeners to call in live to clarify issues. During the course of the interview, people now have direct access to the police in case of emergency. The feedback so far from Lagos residents and the police gave me joy and shows direct impact on people.”

The human right crusader is, however, planning to go to many streets of Lagos State and empower its residents by giving out 50,000 copies of the Nigeria 1999 constitutions free of charge on 10th December, United Nations International Human rights day as to reduce the high percentage of ignorance of Law and encourage political participation needed from Nigerians to sustain Nigeria’s nascent democracy as Nigeria goes in to general elections in the year 2011. The award winner is seeking partnership from Individual and organizations for donations of 50,000 copies of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and two buses to move people and copies of the constitutions on the street of Lagos .

The Nigeria Leadership Initiative is pleased to announce the appointment of its Founder, Mr. Olusegun Aganga as Nigeria’s Finance Minister effective Tuesday, April 6, 2010. Mr. Aganga has also emerged as the new Chairman of the Board of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

Mr. Aganga, a Managing Director at Goldman Sachs in London since 2003 comes into his new positions at a time Nigeria is instituting far-reaching reforms in its financial sector and the world is recovering from an economic crisis.

The NLI is also pleased to announce Senior Fellow, Maryam Uwais’ appointment to Nigeria’s Presidential Advisory Committee.