A Lagos Lawmaker, Segun Olulade, on Wednesday bagged the ECOWAS Youth Council (EYC) Distinguished Parliamentarian of the Year in recognition of his commitment to youth development and empowerment.
The EYC delegation, led by its Chairman, Amb. Emmanuel Williams, presented the Thomas Sankara Leadership Award of Integrity and Transparency to Olulade at the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Williams said: “In recognition of your unsurpassed performance and leadership style, as a seasoned philanthropist who is passionate about the growth of your constituency and the entire nation, we present this award.
“In consideration of your empowerment as a main cardinal point in your deliverables, your determination for a workable Nigeria and being a supporter of youth development, we present this award.
“In recognition of your concerted efforts in ensuring peace development and unprecedented action for the progress of Nigeria, we present this award.
“We have come here to celebrate credence and man of honour who is doing well and contributing his quota to the development of young people, women and the masses, not in his constituency alone but Nigeria as a whole.’’
He said that the award was a biggest honour that could be bestowed on any personality in West Africa at this point in time.
Asked about what informed the choice of Olulade, Williams said that the lawmaker was fascinated by the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) for being passionate about youth development and being a peace ambassador.
“We got his nomination with others from Mali — the Minister of Mali and a young entrepreneur from Ivory Coast among others, but we decided on him (Olulade).
“It is quite important that now the African Union is talking about electioneering and corruption in Africa, we should be looking at the direction of recognising people who are doing well in politics and governance.
“ We also see that Olulade is being supportive to youth development, empowerment and education,’’ he added.
Responding, Olulade said that he was passionate and committed to youths development, noting that empowerment of youths was about his life, whether he was holding political office or not.
“This award means so much to me. I have received several awards both locally and internationally, but this one is very dear to my heart because it is coming from West African youths.
“It is my service to humanity, it is about my life, what I believe in and stand for. I will continue to do more and help Nigerian youths to discover their potential. It is about service, sacrifice and selflessness.
“I identify with youths and I’m passionate about their development because I know that is where my future lies and the future of everyone,’’ he said.
He added that the award was a challenge for him to do more in his service to youths and humanity at large, saying that his Eleniyan Cares Leadership Foundation had reached out to so many youths.
He said that foundation had sponsored the education of so many young people and some to international conferences to acquire skills and had identified with youth programmes geared toward capacity building. (NAN)
