The Commonwealth Scholars and Fellows Alumni Association Nigeria (COSFAN) has launched its first chapter in Lagos.
The association’s National President, Dr Samuel Ekundayo, said the inauguration was another opportunity for the group to give back to the society.
COSFAN consists of eminent Nigerians enjoying the sponsorship of the Commonwealth scholarship commission from the United Kingdom through the British Council in Nigeria.
The main objective of the COSFAN is to use the knowledge of indigenous and Commonwealth training which members received both locally and internationally to impact the Nigerian society.
This is especially in the thematic area of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with education being the foremost.
“COSFAN also aims to act as the think-tank in different need- based issues in Nigeria.
”Today serves as a memorial. We are happy to inform you that the Lagos state chapter will be the first chapter to be inaugurated.
“With this new government in place, we hope to partner with ministries, such as Youth and Sports, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology, Health, Agriculture, lnformation and others, to sustain our engaging and impactful programmes.
“We are going to empower COSFAN members through the association’s internal mechanisms to make positive impacts in their respective niches toward national development.
“Our mandate is to give back to the Nigeria society what the British and Nigerian governments have invested in our careers.
“We are currently working hard to create chapters across the states in the country, to amplify the impact we make,” he stated.
According to him, the association is optimistic that the Lagos state government and other relevant bodies will take advantage of the establishment that will house experts and professionals, to enhance the service delivery.
“We have addressed the issues around irregular migration among young people in Nigeria and we regularly conduct information sessions on how to access Commonwealth scholarships to young academics and students in the universities and to the general public,” Ekundayo said.
On his part, Mr Chikodi Onyemeria, Director of Programmes, British Council Nigeria, said the council is set to promote intellectual capacity of Nigerians who are committed to give back to the society.
“The British Council is concerned about building bridges of friendship and promotes intercultural understanding between the countries of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
“The Commonwealth scholarship helps to provide the much needed manpower in critical sectors of the nations across the Commonwealth countries.
“We support the ambitions of individuals who demonstrate high level of intellectual ability and leadership potentials and commitment to the development of their home country.
“The commonwealth scholarship provides a leverage in the career of recipients of the scholarship.
“We congratulate COSFAN on the inauguration of its first chapter in Lagos state,” Onyemeria said.
Prof. Oluwagbemiro Jegede, Chairman, Board of Trustees of the COSFAN, said the association was always open to give back to the society.
“COSFAN is the foremost professional and academic alumni association in Nigeria. The best of the best gets this scholarship.
“Through COSFAN, we want to give back to the society, we must give other people the same opportunities we enjoyed,” Jegede said.
In her acceptance speech, Dr Temilola Oluseyi, Chairperson of the newly inaugurated COSFAN, Lagos chapter, pledged her support to the vision of the association, to give back to the society.
“I humbly accept the leadership of COSFAN Lagos state chapter and together with my team and all members of this chapter, I believe we will be able to move the frontiers of COSFAN forward.
“COSFAN is not just restricted to the University of Lagos, we have our members across all the universities in the state and even in industries and governmental organisations.
“So, we plan to work together with the regional body of COSFAN, the national body and together with our parent body, the British Council, to organise programmes and give back to society,” Oluseyi said.
