By joshua 7th OJN Annual Symposium Amb. Nihi Sends appreciation message: A Heart Of Gratitude
With a heart overflowing with gratitude, I give all glory, honour and adoration to Almighty God, whose grace, mercy and unfailing faithfulness made the 7th OJN Annual Symposium a huge success. What seemed like a vision became a glorious reality because God made it possible.
I wish to express my profound appreciation to His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Executive Governor of Kogi State, for the great honour of personally gracing the symposium despite his demanding schedule. Your presence, encouragement and unwavering commitment to youth development added immense value to the event and remain my greatest birthday gift.
My sincere appreciation goes to our distinguished Guest Speaker, Dr. Fashagba Paul Femi, Provost, Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa, for delivering an insightful and inspiring presentation. I equally appreciate all the Heads of Higher Institutions who honoured our invitation with their presence.
To our Keynote Speaker, Mrs. Petra Akinti Onyegbule, Head, Government Strategic Partnership, Credlanche Limited, thank you for your thought-provoking keynote address that challenged and inspired us all.
I sincerely appreciate our Book Reviewer, Dr. Mark Dave, for his exceptional review of Voice of a Generation: The Still Rising Story of Oladele John Nihi, and to the author, Mr. Christopher Sunday, thank you for painstakingly documenting my journey. May this book continue to inspire generations of young people to believe that greatness is attainable through purpose, service and perseverance.
My heartfelt appreciation goes to Dr. (Mrs.) Folashade Arike Ayoade, Secretary to the Government of Kogi State, for your motherly support and encouragement.
To My Leader, Mukadam Asiwaju Asiru Idris, Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, thank you immensely for your generous financial support and your steadfast belief in this vision. I equally appreciate all Honourable Commissioners who took time to attend and identify with this noble cause.
To my Oga, Hon. Yakubu Siyaka Adabenege (Fancy), Auditor-General for Local Government, fondly called “My Own Ododo,” thank you for your unwavering support, encouragement and love.
I warmly congratulate His Royal Highness, Oba Fredrick Durojaiye Balogun, JP, the Olu of Apata, on the well-deserved elevation of your stool from Second Class to First Class status as announced by His Excellency during the symposium. Your presence greatly honoured our event.
I appreciate Mr. Bening Ahmed Wiisichong, Secretary-General of the Pan-African Youth Union (PYU), for travelling to identify with us and for your continued belief in youth leadership across Africa.
My sincere gratitude goes to Senior Apostle Adebayo Olaniyan Emmanuel, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kogi State Chapter, and to all religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim faiths whose prayers and presence contributed immensely to the success of the symposium.
To Comrade Babangida Onimisi Isah, President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, and to every youth and student leader present, thank you for demonstrating that when young people unite around purpose, extraordinary things happen.
I deeply appreciate our Chief Launchers, Hon. Leke Abejide, Member Representing Yagba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, and Dr. Abdullahi Mustapha, Director-General/CEO of the Energy Commission of Nigeria. Though you were unavoidably absent, your support through your representatives and generous contributions towards the launch is sincerely appreciated.
My appreciation also goes to Hon. Suleiman AbdulRazak, Majority Leader of the Kogi State House of Assembly who stood in for our dynamic Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon. Ali Bello, and every Honourable Member of the Kogi State House of Assembly who identified with us.
To our Mother of the Day, Hajiya Onize Yakubu Adabenege, Founder of HOC, thank you for your motherly support, encouragement and invaluable contributions towards the success of this year’s symposium.
I equally appreciate Hon. Arc. Salman Idris, Member Representing Ijumu/Kabba-Bunu Federal Constituency; Prof. Nasir Naeem Abdulsalam, Managing Director of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited (ASCL), Chief Edward David Onoja, former Deputy Governor of Kogi State and everyone who couldn’t make but extended their support to us. I thank every sponsor, donor, partner, supporter, volunteer, planning committee member, media organization, security agency, protocol team, technical crew, ushers, the OJN Foundation family, friends and well-wishers who contributed financially, materially, intellectually and spiritually. Whether your contribution was seen publicly or quietly made behind the scenes, you were instrumental to the success we recorded.
To every participant who travelled from near and far, every invited guest, every dignitary, every member of the audience and everyone who believed in this vision, thank you for making the 7th OJN Annual Symposium not just another event but a movement of hope, inspiration and renewed commitment to youth development.
As we close the curtain on another successful edition, we remain committed to building platforms that inspire, empower and prepare young people to become active stakeholders in governance and democratic development.
May God richly bless every one of you beyond measure.
Thank you for believing. Thank you for supporting. Thank you for making history with us.
#StillRising
Oladele John Nihi (OJN)
Founder, OJN Foundation
Convener, OJN Annual Symposium