Akande, others graduate from NIPSS, bags Nelson Mandela humanitarian award

In his quest to broaden his knowledge and reach for more vistas, Ibadan-born educationist and philanthropist, Dr. Akande Kazeem Babatunde has added another professional qualification to his feathers after completing a course of study at the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, (NIPSS) Kuru near Jos.
Akande and several other well meaning Nigerians graduated on Thursday from the foremost institute that teaches policy, strategy and leadership in Nigeria which is a policy formation center for bureaucrats, private sector leaders, Military
Officers, medium ranked and Senior Civil servants and most policymakers in Nigeria.
Speaking at the graduation ceremony in Jos yesterday, Akande said the one-month short course training featured several government officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Police Service Commission, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and several other government parastatals.
He expressed his joy for being able to take this leap with faith and completing it without incidents, noting that he felt it was not enough to contribute financially to peace, youth empowerment, and education, but that’s time to move and partner with the government to ensure there is development in the aforementioned sectors, hence he saw the importance of understanding policy making and implementation which is why he decided to fully fund and attend the short course.
Akande further noted that the one-month short course has been intensive and breathtaking while commending the leadership of the institute for the rigorous and mind-opening training they have been able to dole out in just a month.
He noted that this sojourn to kuru Jos will definitely not be without fruits even as he hinted the press about his plans to come up with a policy proposal around education and youth entrepreneurship for the Oyo State government, with emphasis on a proposal that will encourage the re-integration of retired teachers to teach core subjects at senior secondary school levels.
Adding to the colorful graduation ceremony was the recognition of Dr. Akande Kazeem by the African Youth Initiative for Good Governance and Peace.
The convener of the group, Oyewole Micheal, noted that the organisation decided to bestow him with the Nelson Mandela humanitarian award after following his giant strides in humanitarian services.
The convener noted that the award was reserved for benevolent and altruistic individuals who have made an impact in the lives of people in their communities, while encouraging him to keep up the good work by putting more smiles on the faces of people.
Also speaking at the graduation event is the Director General of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies, Professor Ayo Omotayo, who was represented by Prof Funmi Para-Malam mni, who stressed the importance of the institute to nation stating that it has built leaders in government and several ministries for many decades.
She noted that the short course might look abridged but participants have gained the best of policy making, implementation, and leadership. He encouraged the participants to make efforts to attend the extensive course in 2024.
Akande extended his thanks to colleagues and staff of NIPPS who made his stay in Jos pleasant, while thanking Prof. Ayo Omotayo; Director General, Brig Gen CFJ Udaya mni, Prof. OJ.Para-Mallam mni, Prof. Pam Dung, Prof Jane Ande, Rt Hon Joyce Lohya Ramnap, Mrs. Sandra Agbor, Mr. Chinedu Okoye, Mrs. Oluwakemi Aina, Mr. Isiah Muhammed Ozi, Dajan Maksat Caleb, Maryan Badooh, Chioma Ohadiugha, the faculties and other management staff.