Story by Oscar David Kalu
It was yet another moment of national honour and glory for Hon. (Comr.) Ayodele Olawande, Minister of Youth Development, on Friday, January 31, as the Leadership of the highly reputable Youth Organization in Africa, Peace Corps of Nigeria, paid him a Working Visit to decorate and formally induct him as National Patron of the Organizations.
By this investitire, Hon. Olawande joins the league of Patrons such as Forner Presidents Shehu Shagari and Gen. Yakubu Gowon with other top Nationalists, who in the past had received same honour from the Peace Corps of Nigeria.
The Event held at the Conference Room of the Honourable Minister in the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Federal Secretariat Complex, Abuja, with relevant Staff of the Ministry, Top Officers of the Peace Corps and good number of national media outfits in attendance, including the pioneer and biggest Media Platform of the Youth Constituency, the youtHouse reporters (Great Green Parrot).
In his address, the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson A.O. Akoh said the honour was in recognition of the passion and committment of the Honourable Minister towards transforming Youth Work in Nigeria. The National Commandant posited as follows; “Remarkably speaking, your personality, humility and accomplishments, especially your elevation from a Minister of State to the substantive Minister of Youth Development deserves to be a case study to any Youth who wish to excel in his/her chosen endeavor. Hence, your appointment comes at a crucial time when the Youth of this nation are eager for genuine empowerment, opportunities and the kind of leadership that will adequately equip them with the needed tools to succeed in a rapidly changing world. With your vast expert, commitment to public service, and passion for youth development, we have no doubt that you will lead the ministry to its greater heights”
Respondingvto the gesture of the Peace Corps and address of the National Commandant, Comr. Olanwande voiced his earnest appreciation for the honour, affirming his commitment to furthering the Peace Corps’ Mission of Youth Engagement, Peace Advocacy, while ensurance of diligent follow up on the passage of the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill at the Senate. He posited that he had known the Peace Corps as a thriving patriotic Youth Organization as far back as a Teenager during his Secondary School days in Ondo State.
The outcome of the Working Visit and partnership reached by the Peace Corps of Nigeria with Comr. Ayodele Olawande, Honourable Minister of Youth Development, is being applauded across the Country by well-meaning Stakeholders, who decribed the move as a welcome development, and strategic alliance capable of accelarating and redifining Youth Development in Nigeria, combing the passion and contacts of the Honourable Minister with the large Thousands of Officers and Volunteers of the Corps across the 774 Local Government Areas of the Federation.