Some young Nigerians and students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, located in the present day Osun State, South-West Nigeria, a first generation university founded by nationalist and politician, Late Obafemi Awolowo, are working tirelessly as part  the combined efforts to realise the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These young Nigerians among which are social entrepreneurs, activists and student leaders are the 12 sets of the Millennium Fellows.

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These Fellows can be best described as Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Crusaders earnestly geared to achieving the SDGs ahead  of 2030 earmarked as the benchmark year for achieving the cause as proposed by the United Nations. 

Picture (Class of 2019, Pioneer Fellows) 

Selected amongst 1092 of 135 nations of the World in July 2019 on a fellowship till November, moving up as Alumnus of the Fellowship, all at the instance of the Millennium Campus Network and the United Nations Academic Impact. The Director of the fellowship, Sam Vaghar had earlier congratulated the fellows while expressing joy on the fellows' application and selection amongst other World fellows.

The Vice-Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede expressed joy over their working. Prof. Ogunbodede, himself a lover of the SDG assured the supports of the school towards the fellows.

Picture (Vice-Chancellor receiving the Millennium Fellows)

The Fellows: Amosun Babatunde Michael(Director of Class of 2019), Peter Opatola(Co-Director of Class of 2019) Alfred Olufemi, Kindness Oluseyi-Fabiyi, Stella Abimbola Ojo, Toluwalase Adekoya, Justus Ilemobayo, Joshua Oyebode, Peter Oyebanji, Olamide Durodola, Ashore-Onisemo Funmilayo, and Vincent Okonkwo, class of their own curated and worked on projects aligned with the SDGs and the Principles of the United Nations Academic Impacts. Some communities they mapped included the University Communities of the Aba Gbooro and  Oke Ake, Ife Central Government and St Mary’s Middle and High School, Modakeke, Urban Day High School, Ife. St. Mulumba, Adventist Secondary School High School.

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Amosun Babatunde Michael (Photo)

Selected to lead to the Class of 2019 through the fellowship while taking major correspondence. Michael spearheaded the training of  Fellows while advancing Goal 4 of the SDGs- Quality Education- through his social enterprise and storytelling program -The Chronicles of Leaders. Amongst other Courtesy Visits, led the fellows to the Vice-Chancellor, the Governor, State of Osun, and Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly.

Peter Opatola (Photo)

Co-Director, Class of 2019, led alongside the Director while pursuing the Goal 4-Quality Education through Project ISES tailored towards the education of young persons in all skills-set necessary for employability.

Alfred Olufemi (Photo): A owner of a niche in Journalism, passionate about Goal 4 in Journalism, Alfred focused on training newbies in the field. Alfred has had various investigative feats to his name.

Kindness Oluseyi- Fabiyi (Photo)

Project-SPEAK, a training which he tailored towards achieving volubility and Clarity in communications for University Students although being a 400-level student of Economics. Kindness brought burning passion into training various University students in the art of public speaking - advancing Goal 4.

Stella Abimbola Ojo (Photo)

Stella, a staunch advocate of girl-child development and campaign against sexual abuse of both the Male Child and the Girl Child. Stella believes that even Boys are sexually abused and need one as a confidant to open up to. Her project,” A feeling of Being Loved” targeted being a fortress and confidant to youngsters sexually abused. Helping them get loved again.

Olamide Durodola (Photos)

The Duo of the Goal 8 -Decent Work and Economic Growth believes strongly in arming university students on the skills-set necessary for the global workplace. This they achieved by training students through the Student Career and Advancement Programme. Over 50 students were trained on employability skills.

Justus Ilemobayo (Photo)

Project Aqua based on Goal 6-Clean water and sanitation was majorly carried subsequently at various secondary schools in the ife environs. Justus, in his finals strategically mapped this project at major points of Modakeke, a neighboring town and within the Ife City.

Toluwalase Adekoya (Photo)

Toluwalase, a synergizer of the 17 goals of the SDG, providing detailed reports and information on the SDG Goals, targets, and indicators. Through her blog, EnlightenedMinds.org, she has reported SDG inclined projects while training young persons in various schools.

Vincent Okonkwo (Photo)

Vincent, an agriculturist by passion and training is a penultimate student of the department of agricultural extension and rural development of the Obafemi Awolowo University. Led AGROSMART, a project based on Goal 2 of the SDG in local communities including the Oke Ake, Osun State.

Peter Oyebanji(Photo)

An advocate of Gender Equality, Peter has directed various narratives in this regard. His initiative,” Yes to Gender Equality” has helped redefine the concept of feminism alongside other gender-sensitive areas.

Joshua Oyebode(Photo)

Selected as fellow as a Sophomore student of Law in the University, he pays attention to the Goal 6 – Clean water and sanitation- of the SDG, keen on educating communities on water solutions and water hygiene.

Relentless in their quest for achieving the SDG and the principle of the UNAI, they are best described as the true evangelist of the Sustainable Development Goal.

Source: YoungNigerian.com and Amosun Babatunde Michael, Director of Class of 2019 Millennium Fellows.