…as they honour school Bursar, Mrs. Akande with Sarduana of Sokoto leadership award
…brand her ‘Sheild and Protector of Youths’, symbol of nation’s peace and unity
From Kehinde Adewole
The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria, (NYCN), an umbrella body of young, dynamic Nigerians representing youths from all the 19 states of northern Nigeria, on Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to work toward a united country. This was just as they garlanded the Bursar of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande, with the late Sarduana of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello’s Exemplary Leadership award in recognition of her exemplary leadership role and contribution to the development and growth of Nigerian youths, the nation’s unity and the University system.
Christening her in Hausa language as the ‘Gimbiya Matassan Arewa’, translated in English to mean, ‘Shield and Protector of the Youths’, the NYCN said Mrs. Akande represents a de-tribalized Nigerian whose dispositon and pronouncements have promoted peace and unity in the country.
A delegation of the NYCN from Abuja, who are Ismail Abdulraheem, North Central Coordinator, Amb. Nurudeen Yakubu, Director of Programme, Miss. Divine Adamu, Director of Gender and Abdulrahman Sadiq, a member from Nassarawa State, were at the Bursar’s office at the Central Administration of the Oye campus of FUOYE to present her the plaque of the award which bore a huge image of the late Sarduana.
While giving his address on the inspiration behind the award for Mrs. Akande, Abdulraheem said: “The Northern Youth Council of Nigeria was created during the nationalist and patriotic reign of the late great Saduarna of Sokoto who jointly with other nationalists from other parts of our great nation, i.e Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Hubert Marculey and Sir Tafawa Balewa and others, promoted a united and free Nigeria.
“We preach peace and task ourselves as youths to contribute our qouta to the development of the nation as our nationalist fore-fathers have done by promoting unity and happiness. But the narrative is different now in Nigeria as the nation is threatened by divisive tendencies. lt is time for us to come together on a round table and unite. We should be sincere with our nation and bring our problems to the table and solve them together.
” We seek to find people who relate with one another not based on religion, tribe or profession etc. We just believe in the unity of Nigeria. We want a nation where you will feel at home anywhere in the country. As youths, we want to bring a change to the nation. We don’t want division and we are working with various socio-cultural groups such as the Oodua, Ohaneze, and we are reaching out to all people. We have our Bursar to refer to as a great woman who has the unity of Nigeria at heart.
” We celebrate worthy Nigerians who have contributed greatly to the development of our dear nation and promote peace ad unity. We have been following the activities of Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande, and now we feel obliged and very much pleased to present her an award as the ‘Gimbiya Mattason Arewa’, meaning the Shield and Protector of the youths,” he said.
Continuing in his explaination, he added : “We are here to honour a foremost Amazon of national and international repute, a member of many professional and accounting bodies, a woman who can only be termed the solution to the puzzle called leadership distinction. It was
Quincy Adams that said: ‘ if your action inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’
” To the teeming Nigerian youths, especially those from northern extraction, Mrs.Bolatito Roseline Akande is not just a financial expert, mentor, role model, she is a personality with intergrity and unique hallmark which will, for a very long time define the phrase: ” a light at the end of the tunnel”.
” At a time when Nigerian youths are facing near relegation from national scheme of affairs . Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande has continued to exhibit youth friendly gestures and displaying an unmatched nationalist leadership style that has given the youth a renewed hope as leaders of tommorow.
” The role of youth in nation building is indeed very crucial as the old saying: ‘You build the youths, you build the nation, you ignore the youth, you destroy the nation’ …our distinguished personality, Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande has understood this part of youth and it has remained her top priority. Her contribution to the development of the Nigerian society through her visionary leadership drive, professionalism, unclouded treatment of all and her humility, has remained unchallenged.
” Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande has no doubt achieved very greatly in nation building, Community Development, Youth empowerment , intergrity focused leadership, educational development, quality assurance, as well as mentorship, Her greatest achievement however, is evident in the people who have successfully achieved greatness through her mentorship.
” For us as the northern youth, Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande is the ultimate symbol of a true Nigeria where unity, and love, intergrity and families, compassion and brotherhood take sit at the high table. She is a true representation of Sarduana’s teachings,” he concluded.
Responding, an elated Mrs. Akande said: “I am really short of words. I got your message so suddenly. I do not know you people from anywhere. It was just a message and you said that you were very close to Oye to present me with an award.
” You said you have been following my activities online and seeing things traceable to me. The Lord will honour you and you will not be disappointed in what you want.
I pray that the Almighty will help me to perform and live up to your expectations. Thank you and God bless.”
Meanwhile, many junior and senior colleagues of the Bursar at the University also joined the NYCN, to make the award presentation a remarkable history.
Mr. Raph Olanrewaju Oloruntele, who described Mrs Akande as a mother to all, said: ” Your coming here is an indication that you are making great efforts to unite the country and if you continue to synergize and seek for unity those of us above 50 will be rest assured that Nigeria can still be great.”
Also, Mr. Etuntade Alani, FUOYE Procurement officer, said: ” l congratulate the northern Youths Council of Nigeria to have come to give award to a worthy awardee. She is a traditional chief as the Yeyemayegun of Isan-Ekiti land. The awardee of today is a very virtuous woman and mother at the home front and at the same time, she balances her role at the work place.”
Mr. Vincent Ekene, FUOYE Head of Treasury, said: “This is an incredible opportunity. She is actually a de-tribalised woman, a focal point of excellence having traversed almost every geo-political zones of Nigeria. We are glad that people of your age and status are working towards the unity of Nigeria. Our country is the most blessed.”
The auditor, FUOYE, Mr. Usman, also said: “We appreciate the northern Youths. I am really impressed I want to be associated with you. What you have done today has dispelled the perception that we have rift raff youths in the North.”
A female Deputy Registrar of the varsity , said: “Our Boss, Mrs. Bolatito Roseline Akande is a big sister to us. We call her our mother. She is always putting others’ feelings before hers. We appreciate her so much and we pray she will go higher..”
Also speaking during the award presentation, the Registar of FUOYE, Mr. Olatubosun Odusanya, said: “On behalf of the Bursar, myself and the entire staff, we say a big thank you for taking that good decision and giving her the well deserved award we appreciate you.
Other senior members of the non-academic staff of FUOYE who graced the ocassion included Deputy Director, FUOYE Ventures, the Chief Accountant, Alhaji Ambali Ajayi, Mr. Ebenzeer Ogunjemilehin,
Lanre Ojo who is Asststant Registrar, and the Personal Assistant to the Bursar, Mrs. Ifeoluwa, among others.
