Posts in category: 2020 AFRICA UNIQUE LEADER AWARD

Dame Adenike Oluyemisi Idowu Nee Faseke was born in 1955. She holds a B.A Honour in English from the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1978, Masters Degree in International Relations (1983), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (1992) from the University of Ibadan.
She served as an Administrative Officer in the office of the Military Administrator, Akure, Ondo State in 1979, during the NYSC Scheme.
Thereafter, by divine providence, she took up appointment as a Teacher with the Central Schools’ Board, Oyo State, now Teaching Service Commission. Her first posting as a teacher was to African Church Grammar School, Apata, Ibadan. However, it was her transfer to Our Lady of Apostles Secondary School, Maryway, Odo-Ona, Ibadan in1985 that unfolded her calling and vocation – Passion for the Girl-Child.
OLA is an all-girls school where God gave her the unique opportunity of mentoring girls from different backgrounds and diverse levels of exposure – the good, the bad and the ugly!!!
She rose through the ranks and became a Principal in 2001. In 2006, she was transferred to St. Teresa’s College, Oke-Ado, Ibadan (one of the foremost secondary schools in the State), also an all-girls Institution where she voluntarily retired in Nov, 2014. It was there that her passion for the girl child was brought to the limelight. There, she exhibited and maximized her potentials so much that she became an enigma and a role model in the Education field – A guru and a force to be reckoned with.
As a result of her outstanding performance in all the Schools she had ever been, with national and international exposure in Educational Management, coupled with her diverse experience, versatility and forthrightness, she was employed after a rigorous interview with 18 others, as the Principal of one of the oldest, reknowned Girls Schools in Nigeria/Africa – The Prestigious Methodist Girls’ High School, Yaba , Lagos, where she is till date.
Methodist Girls’ High School has both Day and Boarding facilities, with Ultra-Modern Hostel which is a Home Away from Home.
At M.G.H.S, Dame Adenike Oluyemisi has been making waves academically, structurally and in aesthetics. The greatest achievement for her thus far is the girls with their high level of Integrity/discipline, confidence and high moral/spiritual standard.
Our focus in M.G.H.S, is that each student is given a formidable academic and moral foundation with 21st Century touch. No wonder in the last five years, the performance of our “girls” in UTME and WASSCE has been excellent (above 80%).
Year in year out, M.G.H.S. products gain admission into Federal, State and Private Universities in Nigeria and overseas. An interaction with them will convince anyone.
At M.G.H.S. decency and “Give Back Initiative” is exhibited in any girl as a demonstration of the school motto: In Love Serve One Another.
In the three domains of education – cognitive, affective and psychomotor, MGHS girls have been top notch.
Dame Idowu is a visionary servant-leader, whose belief is channelling all resources to get better result in an enabling environment.
Her repositioning of M.G.H.S. Yaba, for quality and effective Christian
education in the 21st Century is a case of laying treasure for the future.
Since her coming to the school, many awards and laurels have been won; such as, the Best Secondary School in Mainland Local Government, Lagos State, (Prestige Award), The Overall best in Code Lagos (Lagos State Government). The school is also affiliated to Goga Africa and the Nigerian French Village, Badagry.
A great advocate of the girl child rights indeed! She would always inculcate in her students the fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom, the importance of being focused and diligent at whatever they are doing, thereby, empowering and arming themselves for future greatness with good education. She teaches them to imbibe decency, good characteristic traits, be bold, confident, and to believing that no goal is impossible for them to attain. She believes that every girl child should have a mentor – a role model, whom she would pattern her life after and even aspire to be better than.
Her advice to youths, particularly the girl-child, is to have self-worth and a vision. They should be creative, innovative and be ready to conquer their world. No one was created by chance, but by the divine design of God, to attain a destiny/purpose.
No girl child should have an entitlement mentality, but should work hard at her goal, be hopeful, and confident. They should also be purpose-driven, maintain high standard of discipline and integrity. The girls must be an embodiment of etiquette as future mothers and ladies of substance.
Dame Oluyemisi Idowu is a staunch Methodist (by birth and marriage). A Knight of John Wesley, who is committed to strict Christian beliefs and ethics. She is a member of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) – The first internationally recognized NGO in Nigeria. She is currently the Area Representative of the whole of Oyo State Area Council.
She is one of the Intending Delegates to New York, USA for the 64th Common Status of Women Conference (CSW).
In 2014, Dame Idowu together with five other ladies floated an NGO – Women Helping Women (WHIM). The main focus of which is to empower women and children.
She is keenly interested in empowering girls, exposing them to good leadership and entrepreneurship skills and motivating them to stand for their rights in order to occupy their rightful positions in the society.
She is happily married to Dr. Ademola Idowu. The marriage is blessed with two lovely and God fearing, professional ladies and four adorable grandchildren.
Glory be to God.

Championing the growth and development of education in a country like Nigeria, everyone would agree with me is a herculean task. I developed interest for education right from childhood even though I grew up in a society that has less value for girl-child education in particular. The zeal and love I have for education contributed to the lofty impart I have in the development of education in Nigeria.
After my university education, I was employed by the Federal Civil Service Commission and deployed to the Head Quarter Federal Ministry of Education, Lagos, few years later redeployed to one of the Federal Unity Colleges as a classroom teacher. This gave me exceeding joy because it has been in my heart to contribute to the growth of education. As a cleanroom teacher, I made sure that any child that passed through me or had a contact with me comes out a better person both academically and morally, which is the basic aim of education. My eight years as a classroom teacher saw me imparting lives that are too numerous to be mentioned in this write-up. During my duty tour particularly at the Federal Government College Jos in Plateau state, I taught English language at all levels. The success of my students in both the internal and external examinations endeared me to both the College Authority and students. Many people saw it as a feat but to me was a deliberate course of action. It was due to total commitment and dedication to duty as a teacher. The passion I had for grooming the students for excellence was beyond measure. I put in everything I possess- my talent, strength, knowledge, interest, time and at times money or other material gifts to motivate the students to put in their best. One good thing about me in this regard is that I did not write-off any child as a dullard. I had this notion that if I could do it, any other person can do it too and even better. I always make the students believe that they are all great achievers. I vary my methods and approaches to learning to provide for the need of every student in the class. I was always telling myself that I would stop at nothing to make sure I get out the genius in every child. My students loved me for that. Many of them would always come back to say thank you. I never thought I
could do it. That alone gives me joy and satisfaction. I can remember one instance when I ran into one of my students outside the shores of this country. The lady almost carried me up for joy and in appreciation of what I put in her that had made her what she was then.
I was moved out of the school system later, redeployed to the Head Quatres, Federal Ministry of Education Abuja. While there, I served under various Directors and at different capacities. The most demanding of all these assignments was when I was made to serve on the Board of Tertiary Institutions. I was practically representing the Honorable Minister of Education at most functions of the Universities and Polytechnics. My performance and conduct made most of the leadership of these Universities to always refer to me as “Madam Minister”. At that level, I contributed immensely to the development of education. I had opportunities to influence many decisions positively that led to the growth of education in Nigeria. During my stay in the Ministry, I was opportune to attend workshops and seminars on capacity building and policy formulation which I translated into actions that have imparted on the development of education at all levels.
Having served for a long time in the Ministry, the Ministry in its wisdom deemed it necessary that I should be posted out to the field as a Principal in one of the Unity Colleges. What I met on ground did not impress me hence I told myself that I had a great task on hand. Within a short time, God helping me and with the support of my management team, I was able to transform the situation into an enviable one. I was very dogged in seeing the upliftment of the College academically, morally and infrastructurally. I was able to greatly improved on the decayed infrastructure I met on ground. With the huge resources the Federal Government release for capital projects, we were able to:
Complete the construction of a pavilion abandoned for years.
Constructed a modern kitchen.
Renovated several classrooms and offices.
Constructed a large Home management/ Economics Laboratory.
A one thousand-seater Multipurpose/ Assembly Hall.
Constructed a Geographical Garden, rehabilitated municipal facilities for the enhancement of teaching and learning.
Also rehabilitated local wells to improve sanitations.
Sporting equipment were also upgraded.
Comments from the staff, students and the community leaders made me to begin to think that the Ministry purposely moved me out to enable me put the experience generated into use on the field. I told myself that if I am to succeed as an astute educationist, I must also put in my best in the school system, I was by God’s grace promoted to the rank of a Director of Education and subsequently moved to a bigger school where the Ministry felt I should be most needed. Everywhere I had served, records are bound of my developmental strides in the field of education. My contribution to the growth and development of education are unquantifiable as commendations from all those that have worked with me and the stakeholders are bound.
I pray that the Lord God grant me strength to continue the positive change in our educational system.

The Rt. Rev Dr. Duke T. Akamisoko was born at Gboloko, Kogi state on the 6th of March, 1964. He attended the following schools between 1974-1999.Sabon Gari primary school Kaduna; Teachers College Dutsin-ma, Katsina; Federal College of Education, Katsina; Bishop Crowther College of Theology, Okene; University of Nigeria Nsukka; and Theological College of Northern Nigeria Bukuru/University of Jos. He also holds a Doctorate Degree from the prestigious London School of Graduate Studies, United Kingdom.

His Education from primary to tertiary level spanned a period of 25 years with the following qualifications: FSLC; Teachers Grade 2; NCE; Dip.The.BA Religion/Education, M.Th, Church history and Doctorate Degree. He was ordained Deacon in June 1991 and priested in December 1991. He was preferred Canon in August 1997 and Archdeacon on October 2001.He was Teacher/Chaplain of Crowther Memorial College, Lokoja from 1989-1996; Vicar of St Barnabas Ecewu, Kogi State from 1991-1992; Vicar, Crowther Memorial Church, Lokoja from 1992-1997, and doubled as Diocese of Lokoja Synod Secretary 1994-1997.

He worked with the Civil Service from 1989-1996 and resigned voluntarily to join full time Gospel ministry in 1996 and was released to Diocese of kebbi in 1997.

He served as Canon Residentiary of St Luke’s Cathedral Birnin-kebbi 1997-2001 and Archdeacon of the same Cathedral from 2001 to September 2002. Bishop Duke served as Chairman of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kebbi state from 2000-2002.

Again in 2002, he was released from Diocese of kebbi to Church of Nigeria Headquarters Abuja as Director of Ecumenism and Inter faith Dialogue, a position he occupied until he was elected Bishop of Zonkwa Missionary Diocese in January 2005.in 1995 and 2005, he travelled to Jerusalem on Holy pilgrimage and in 2008 was in Jerusalem for three weeks intensive course (Majoring on Agriculture, Security, Religion and Politics of Israel).

While in Diocese of Abuja, he served in the following churches: Christ Church, Idu Karmo 2002-2004 and All Saints Church Wuse 2004 until his election as Bishop of Diocese of Zonkwa.

He was elected Bishop by Translation for the Diocese of Kubwa on the 6th of January 2009 at St Peters Chapel IBRU CENTER Agbarha-motor, Delta state. He served as the National Treasurer of Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) from 2013-2016. Among his many publications are: Dual name of Jesus (NCE thesis Essay on thirty nine articles of faith of the church of England), Teacher Effectiveness in the use of instructional materials in the Religion knowledge in secondary schools in Bassa LGA (BA. Thesis), Samuel Ajayi Crowther: His work in the Lokoja Area (2002), Unveiling The Thirty Nine Articles of Faith (2011).

He is the proprietor of Anglican Comprehensive Secondary Schools with branches at Kubwa (Day), Nyanya (Day) and Kpeyegi (Day and Burden). In a bid to maintain quality and high standard of education in the schools, He is the first proprietor to implement the policy on Teachers Registration Council (TRC) in the FCT.

Married to Mrs. Sarah Akamisoko, The marriage is blessed with three Children: Two boys and one girl. Sokowonci Duke Jnr, Sokolauji Timothy Jnr, and Sokojinwon Mary.

Professor Ismail Junaidu was Born on 3rd June, 1953 in Katsina, Katsina State, Nigeria. He obtained his qualifications in Linguistics and Language: PhD University of Indiana, USA; Master’s Degree University of York, England and Bachelor’s Degree, ABU, Zaria-Nigeria.

He is a Professor of Linguistics as well as Educator, Educational Administrator, Curriculum Developer, and Educational Policy Facilitator and Designer.  He is a member of many scholarly and professional organizations. These include: Member and Member of Council of the  International Association of Educational Assessment (IAEA); Association for Educational Assessment in Africa (AEAA) as Member and Immediate Past Regional Chair West Africa; Member Nigerian Academy of Education (NAE); Founding Member Linguistic Association of Nigeria (LAN); Member Curriculum Organization of Nigeria (CON); Member Reading Association of Nigerian (RAN), etc.

He held many positions and served in many Committees on national assignments, international delegations.

He was Special Technical Adviser/Assistant to the Minister of State for Education of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; Director, Curriculum Development Centre, NERDC; Director, Language Development Centre, NERDC; Director, Library and Informatics Centre, NERDC; Member of Council, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Nigeria; and Member Governing Boards National Institute of Nigerian Languages (NINLAN). Former Visiting Lecturer/ External Examiner and Senior Lecturer of Linguistics  at Bayero University, Kano;  Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto and University of Maiduguri (Nigeria)  and Former Fellow Indiana University, USA. Serves as Member Governing Board, Universal Basic Education Commission; and National Examination Council, Nigeria; and others.

Professor Ismail Junaidu supervised and examined many theses and dissertations. He has many publications to his credit, both domestic and international as journal articles and books he authored or co-authored on various aspects of education, linguistics, Curriculum development, development of textbooks and learning materials, pedagogy, language education, and educational policy matters among others. He attended many domestic and international conferences, seminars and workshops, where he presented papers and academic talks. Domestically, he made scholarly and technical presentations at different academic and policy fora in universities, meetings of the National Council on Education and the most coveted and prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS).

The international conferences and workshops he attended spanned around different countries, sometimes severally, including UK (Cambridge, Oxford and others), USA, Germany, Netherlands, China, Singapore, Israel, Azerbaijan, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, South Africa, Uganda,  Ghana, Georgia(Batumi), Zambia, Morocco, Kenya and Ethiopia.

He is a recipient of many academic awards and colors as well as administrative and management awards of excellence/merit.

As the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council he injected new vigor and refocused its activities to face the challenges of 21st century. His achievements since becoming the Executive Secretary are in five critical areas of providing entrepreneurship education for job creation and wealth generation, strengthening existing school curricula for improved educational attainment in Nigeria, providing teacher support materials for curriculum implementation, making school curricula responsive to the needs

and aspirations of Nigerians, and addressing out-school-children concern  and Providing education for survival in emergency and crisis.

On a specific note in the area of providing entrepreneurship education for job creation and wealth generation, was the review of the 34 Trades and Entrepreneurship Curricula for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria. The review which was conducted in collaboration with UNIDO featured prominently Nigerian technologists, technology teachers, practitioners and entrepreneurs. The curricula and their accompanying teacher’s guides were developed to enable youth acquire skills and competencies for the 21st Century World of Work, create wealth and generate employment. The piloting of the curricula brought about major turnaround in the pilot schools as teachers and students have become champions of entrepreneurship education in their states and in Nigeria. This earned him performance/merit award by the National Association of Technology Teachers (NATT).

Under his leadership, the existing school curricula have been strengthened for improved educational attainment and learners’ acquisition of relevant life and survival skills through the infusion of online safety education, capital market studies, financial literacy education, and elements of Trafficking and Counter Trafficking in Persons into relevant school subjects.

To make education responsive to the needs and aspiration of Nigerians, as the Executive Secretary of NERDC, he spearheaded the process for the reintroduction of History into Nigeria primary and junior secondary schools, revision and enrichment of Civic Education Curricula for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, separation of the former Religion and National Values (RNV) Curriculum into three standalone curricula of Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies and National Values. Furthermore, Professor Junaidu, has introduced new dimensions in the curriculum development process at NERDC. For instance, in preparation for the review of the senior secondary education curriculum, a national needs assessment study has been concluded involving teachers, policy makers and other critical stakeholders. This is in the bid to make the curriculum a people’s curriculum, which has been his dream as the Executive Secretary of NERDC.

As an advocate of quality education for all, he has successfully provided leadership for the development of Accelerated Basic Education Curriculum (ABEC) for the implementation of Accelerated Basic Education Programme in Nigeria. The goal of the programme is to reduce to barest minimum (or mop-up) the number of out-of-school children and youths in Nigeria. The curriculum which was approved by the National Council on Education (NCE) at its 63rd meeting in 2019, is being piloted in Borno State in collaboration with Plan International Led-Consortium and funded by the European Union.

In his efforts to reposition the operations of the Council and bring its activities at par with international best practices, he has been able to forge new partnership with international and local development partners and as well strengthened existing relationships. These organisations include British Council, UNIDO, USAID, Save the Children International, Plan International, Development of Research Project Centre (dRPC), Google International. This has yielded results including the development of a National Reading Framework, which has set standards for the teaching and learning of reading in Nigeria, infusion 21st century skills (core skills) into the curriculum, etc.

Professor Ismail Junaidu is indeed an accomplished administrator with exceptional leadership qualities.

Education is a vital tool for societal development and require leaders that will bring rapid changes to achieve the target goal. The Federal Territory Capital Administration, carefully selected among others an intelligent leader, grassroots mobilizer, philanthropist, a politician to pilot the Affairs of FCT Secondary Education Board in person of Hon. Yahya Musa Muhammad (aka ARADA).

Yahaya Musa Muhammad was born to the family of Alhaji Yahaya Muhammad on the 7th August, 1969, in Agyana town, under Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. His Educational background stated from FCT public schools with solid foundation that gave him the opportunity to secure admission into a reputable University of Ahmadu Bello Zaria in the year 1992, where he bagged first degree in political science, he didn’t relent in his educational pursuit and joined University of Abuja for his Master degree program in International relations in the year 2005 to spread his search of knowledge on international politics. His broaden knowledge on national and international politics convince his people to lead them in the affairs of Abaji Area Council in May 2007 to 2010, where he won an election and became the Chief Executive Abuja Area Council. His wonderful performance during his tenure most especially in educational development, his people voted him back for the second term to enable him to complete his good work as it affects the grass root. The chairman second term in the office began since 2010 to 2012 consecutively. These landmark achievements were with total support of his then cabinet members and his zeal to achieve the target goal.

After serving his people in that capacity, Hon. Musa returned back to the University of Abuja for his PhD program and after series of seminar presentations, he is now waiting to fulfil the remaining part of program to clinch the Award of Doctorate Degree. The Honorable Minister of the FCT, Mallam Muhammad Bello appointed him to be the Chief Executive Chairman, FCT Secondary Education Board in 2017 to date.

After his assumption of duty, Hon. Musa has taken the mantle of the FCT Secondary Education leadership to the higher level by setting out the eight- point agenda:

CAPACITY BUILDING & MANPOWER DEVELOPMENT

EFFECTIVE MONITORING & EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC ACTIVITIES IN THE FCT SCHOOLS

PROVISION OF PHYSICAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS

IMPROVE ON STAFF WELFARE

ZERO TOLERANCE ON CORRUPTION

ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW SCHOOLS

SPORT DEVELOPMENT & INTERGRATION OF SCHOOL SYSTEM RECORDS IN A MODERN WAY.

Ladies and Gentlemen as a result of the forgoing agenda, the FCT Secondary Schools academic performances have being yielding positive changes in national and international levels.

Mrs. Rifkatu Adamu Chidawa was born on 18th February, 1956in Diko of Gurara Local government area, Niger state. She started her primary school in January 1962 and finished in December, 1968.Her secondary education commenced in January, 1969, finished in July 1973 in Government Girls Secondary School. Minna and had National certificate in Education (NCE) in 1981. She was posted to Government Day Secondary School Suleja, Niger state for her one- year NYSC programme in 1981. She did her first degree programme in Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna state and graduated in 1986 with bachelor degree in education (B.Ed.). She went further to University of Abuja in 1999 for master degree in education administration and planning. She is happily married with children, a mother, grandmother and great mother.

She started her teaching career at the age of 17yrs, her passion for education and majorly to mold lives, some of which are doing well in other various fields. This she did with good legacy before her retirement in 2012 as a Deputy Director. She headed various secondary school in Abuja and Niger state of which her foot print is still been spoken till today. Some of the schools where she works as a principal are:

Girls Day Secondary School Suleja

Government Secondary School, Garki- Abuja

Government Secondary School, Tundun Wada Abuja

Government Secondary School Karu, Abuja to mention just to mention but few.

In her quest to serve humanity and touch lives, she was one of the

Quarter mistresses of red cross society, Minna.

Fellowship of Christian student secretary, Minna

Treasurer, College of Education, Minna.

Financial Secretary, Ahmadi Bello University, Zaria.

A member of staff and student welfare committee.

Chairman, Digest

magazine, FCT SEB

Disciplinary committee member, FCT SEB

Employment committee member, FCT SEB

Leader women fellowship (LCC)

Leader women fellowship (DCC) and

Financial secretary, National women fellowship and many more selfless services.

She had transformed many lives through her trusted passionate, enthusiastic and exemplary life style. When she was a member of employment committee SEB, through her, many young Nigerians from various ethnic groups were employed and she did this without enriching herself.

Due to her meritorious services, she has received many awards and commendations such as:

Award for excellence in administration (African Youth Summit)

Meritorious and fellowship award by corporate administration.

Meritorious seminar award by institute of corporate administration.

Meritorious seminar award by institute of corporate administration.

Meritorious award by middle belt youth forum.

Nigeria Association of Athletics Technical Officials (NAATO)

Man “O” War, Nigeria.

Written commendations from Education Secretary and Director of Education on effort, hard work, commitment, competence and maturity in handling school affairs etc.

It will be unfair if I failed to mention her contribution for calisthenics in Abuja and Nigeria as a whole which accorded her another recognition and award from federation international football association (FIFA). In fact, there are lots of award for this effect such as:

Certificate of commendation for active participation in calisthenics display for opening and closing ceremonies of All Africa Games.

Calisthenics camp commandant FIFA

Calisthenics camp commandant women for change initiatives.

Calisthenics camp commandant presidential inauguration to mention just but few.

Aside circular work, she is also not found wanting in the service to God and humanity. As a result of this, she was appointed chairman ECWA Wuse II Academic Board of Governors, member ECWA Good news, Diko.

Her commitment and dedication have made her to attend various seminars and courses home and abroad such as that of:

UNESCO

British Council and

Federal Ministry of Education etc.

She has devoted most of her time to the development of education in Nigeria. Her selfless service has brought her this far. I was not surprised when she was appointed commissioner of culture and tourism because I have always thought of it that her dedication, commitment, innovations, zeal, determination, desire and passion will lead her to the top one day and it has finally come. Mouth cannot continue to mention her contributions to nation building. Indeed, Madam Rifkatu Adamu Chidawa is a woman of integrity, role model, selfless, efficient performer and worthy to be emulated.