Participants in US mentorship programme graduate

By Damilola Kushimo

The students of Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Okota and two other schools who participated in the US mentorship programme have graduated.

The programme was organised through the alumni association of International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) for 150 students of the schools which include Surulere Senior Senior Secondary School and Oke-Afa Senior Comprehensive College.

The intensive programme was simultaneously held for the pupils in their respective schools for six weeks between February 15 and March 26 where they were impacted with leadership skills and entrepreneurship knowledge which include how to transform recyclable wastes to wealth.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held for the pupils at Ansar-Ud-Deen Comprehensive High School, Okota on Thursday, the Deputy Public Affairs Officer (DPAO) of the US Consulate, Jennifer Foltz, congratulated the graduates, urging them to continue to expose themselves to supportive environments such as the mentorship programme.

She encouraged the ‘young leaders’ to share the knowledge they have garnered with their peers in their schools and contribute their quota to solving the many challenges facing the nation and the world at large.

Foltz commended the president of the alumni association, Tade Adetoun for the success of the programme, urging the students to maintain good relationship with their mentors as they progress in their academic pursuit.

She emphasised that the US remains committed to working with its Nigerian partners to support and empower promising Nigerians in making positive changes in their communities and around the world.

Also speaking, the team leader, Hon. Remy Shittu Remy, who facilitated the programme in the council area, urged the students to maximise the knowledge acquired from the programme to be inspiration to their peers.

During the graduation ceremony, the students presented various practical products made from recyclables and also entrepreneurial items which include brick suitable for road construction, air freshener and face masks to showcase their expertise.

They were presented with certificates,  backpacks of educational materials and other gift items from Nestle Nigeria Plc.

Representatives from education districts IV and VI in attendance at the programme lauded the US government and IVLP for the initiative as they appealed that such programme be extended to other schools in the districts.