The National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS) has bestowed the association’s highest honour on Dr Belinda Amaze Faniyi in recognition of her diligent disposition to duty, professionalism, commitment to youth and entrepreneurial development.
Dr Faniyi, retired from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) as the Ogun State Coordinator of the scheme where she transformed a 4 Hectares of land hitherto occupied by dangerous animals into a farm land for the training of corps members in Agric and Agro Allied businesses.
At the presentation of the
award to Princess Faniyi in Lagos, the National President of NANNS, Ambassador Abdulrahman Ibrahim, said the nomination committee found the recipient worthy in recognition of her inspiring roles in youth development and empowerment, saying some members of the association that served in Ogun State during her tenure paid glowing tributes for her leadership qualities.
The delegation that presented the distinguished award travelled from Kano to Lagos also comprises other leaders of the association that included Nafiu Yushan Ibrahim, National Secretary, Jibril Saifullahi, Director of Mobilisation and Ahmed Balarabe also a Director.
According to NANNS President, the association is dedicated to advancing society through its mandates in supporting education, girl child education, youth empowerment through skills acquisition, entrepreneurial development, and campaign against violence, insecurity, rape, promotion of peace and unity across Nigeria.
“We are here to recognise your exemplary professionalism and dedication as a public officer and in private capacity .
“Our search by the nomination committee found you worthy of this recognition of excellence as an advocate of youth development, empowerment and a patriotic Nigerian.
“Your services to Nigeria while with the NYSC were outstanding and worthy of recognition. You have inspired many youths who are benefitting immensely from your leadership qualities and are now living a good life due to your motherly committment in NYSC .
“We leaders and members of the National Association of Northern Nigerian Students (NANNS) have bestowed the Association’s highest award, meritorious leadership award of Credence as honour for your youth-centric advocacies and the projection of the NYSC Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development Programme.
“Your commitment has given us hope, confidence and courage as witnessed during the service year by some of members deployed to Ogun State,” NANNS President added.
In her response, the award recipient, Dr Faniyi commended the goals and aspiration of NANNS, saying it is national in outlook and tallies with her ideal.
She appreciated the association for the honour bestowed on her by the leadership and members of the association who monitored her tenure as the Ogun State Coordinator of the NYSC while on national service and assured never to rest in her advocacy for youth as job creators than job hunters.
“Nigeria is an ongoing project that is yet to be concluded. Youths must continue to take up leadership roles in making sure the project is well delivered and becomes a proud nation for all.”
Faniyi commended the focus of the association, the comportment and eloquence of its National President and members of the delegation from Kano.
She urged the association not to lose traction on campaign against drug abuse and unemployment, saying Nigeria needs more commitment from youths to make the country a better place for all and generations unborn.
She appealed to the members of the association to chat a new direction for the Almajiri education by making it more vibrant to become formidable platform for quality education in the north of the country.
“I urge you take up advocacy against kidnapping and exchange of victims for ransome. Step up advocacy against immorality, religious intolerance and promotion of developments that will promote unity in the country.
While in NYSC Lagos State, Dr Faniyi initiated the Job Awareness and Skills Acquisition Unit which later developed into the Department of Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) at the NYSC Directorate Headquarters in Abuja with branches in all Secretariats nationwide
In Ogun State, she initiated and facilitated the construction of a fully equipped State of the Art NYSC Skills Acquisition Centre at the Orientation Camp in Sagamu by the Presidency ( Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The building boasts of of the following Centers/ Workshops ICT, Tailoring/ Fashion design, Furniture/ Carpentry, Leatherworks, Automobile/ Mechanic, Electrical, Plumbing, Aluminium Fabrication, Confectionary/ Culinary Art skills, Block Moulding, Seminar/ Conference Hall and a lecture room, among others.
Dr Mrs Belinda Faniyi is also a farmer who has trained thousands of youth in agric and agro allied businesses.
