The Northern Youths Council of Nigeria (NYCN), an umbrella body of young Nigerians representing youths from all 19 states of northern Nigeria, on Tuesday urged Nigerian youths to work towards a united country.
This was as they garlanded the Bursar of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Mrs Bolatito Roseline Akande, with the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello’s Exemplary Leadership Award in recognition of her exemplary leadership role and contribution to the development of the nation’s unity and the university system.
Christening her in Hausa language as the ‘Gimbiya Matassan Arewa’, translated to ‘Shield and Protector of the Youths’, the NYCN said Mrs Akande represents a de-tribalized Nigerian whose disposition and pronouncements have promoted peace and unity in the country.
A delegation of the NYCN from Abuja comprising Ismail Abdulraheem, North Central Coordinator, Amb. Nurudeen Yakubu, Director of Programme, Miss. Divine Adamu, Director of Gender and Abdulrahman Sadiq, a member from Nasarawa State, were at the Bursar’s office to present her the plaque of the award.
While giving the rationale behind the award, Abdulraheem said NYCN was created during the nationalist and patriotic reign of the late Sardauna of Sokoto, who, jointly with other nationalists like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Herbert Macauley and Sir Tafawa Balewa, promoted a united and free Nigeria.
He said, “We preach peace and task ourselves as youths to contribute our quota to the development of the nation but the narrative is different now in Nigeria as the nation is threatened by divisive tendencies. We seek to find people who relate with one another not based on religion, tribe or profession and we celebrate worthy Nigerians.
”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’.
“We are here to honour a foremost Amazon of national and international repute, a member of many professional and accounting bodies and a woman who can only be termed the solution to the puzzle called leadership distinction.
“To the teeming Nigerian youths, especially those from northern extraction, Mrs Bolatito Roseline Akande is not just a financial expert, mentor and role model, she is a personality with integrity and unique hallmark who we can also be describe as ‘a light at the end of the tunnel’.”
Abdulraheem therefore described Mrs Akande as ‘a true representation of Sarduana’s teachings’.
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.”
The recipient was also commended by Mr Raph Olanrewaju Oloruntele, Mr Etuntade Alani (FUOYE Procurement Officer), Mr Vincent Ekene (FUOYE Head of Treasury), among others.
Reacting, the school Registar, Mr Olatubosun Odusanya, appreciated the delegation on behalf of the recipient and members of staff.
Other non-academic staff members who graced the occasion included the Chief Accountant, Alhaji Ambali Ajayi, Assistant Registrar, Lanre Ojo, and the Personal Assistant to the Bursar, Mrs Ifeoluwa.