Louis Omolayo Adekola has been selected as one of the world’s 24 most exceptional young leaders and will be representing Nigeria at the Merit Next Leadership Programme organized by World Merit which starts in the United Kingdom on the 20th of July, 2014.
The 23 year old young man hails from Ijan-Ekiti in Ekiti State (Fountain of Knowledge) but has lived most of him life in Ondo State. After his primary education at Edu Educational Centre, Akure, Ondo State, Louis proceeded to C.A.C. Grammar School, Akure, Ondo State where he graduated in 2005 at the age of 14… wow! He then proceeded to Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State where he studied Educational Management and graduated in the year 2010 at the age of 19 as one of the best both in his department and in the entire Faculty of Education.
Apart from being an intelligent, proactive, creative, and innovative young man, Louis proved himself as a highly responsible, forthright, resilient and dutiful young man to the extent that he became his University’s Ambassador representing the varsity at training events as well as competitions where he won several awards for himself and the university. Louis is such a pride to his family, Alma Mata, Nigeria, Africa and his entire generation. His academic acumen is truly adorable and his passion for excellence especially in the areas of education, culture, leadership, gender equality and general community development is certainly second to none.
Louis’ first volunteering experience was at the age of 10 when he was a Junior Secondary School student. He was as a peer influencer with the Women Trafficking and Child Labour Eradication Foundation (WOTCLEF) in the campaign against child abuse and human trafficking. He was a member of ‘Youth for Christ’ between 2005 and 2007 where he was actively involved in educational and medical outreach projects. At Adekunle Ajasin University he was a member of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) and SIFE - Students In Free Enterprise (now Enactus); an international organization that combines entrepreneurship with community development and the mantra “…a head for business and a heart for the world” perfectly reflects their objective. He is a youth delegate to the Nigerian Economic Summit, the Nigerian Youth Leadership and Economic Summit at Abuja and in 2010; he received the International Award of Excellence in Entrepreneurship by SIFE. After winning the regional edition of the NBC National Debate, he emerged one of Nigeria’s Top 10 debaters in 2011. During his National Service year in 2012, he was part of the Community Development Service (CDS) group on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) contributing to the actualization of the eight MDGoals. While working as a Student Counsellor in Lagos, he facilitated visits to Bales of Mercy Orphanage, Gbagada, in December 2013 as well as Home of God's Grace Orphanage, Agbowa in January, 2014. In February 2014, he led the Merit Nigeria team in executing March for Merit in Akungba Akoko; a sensitization walk on "Better Education For All" with over 50 volunteers. He trained over 100 tertiary institution students on "Community Development and the importance of Volunteering" in March and in April, he began a weekly radio show on Orange 94.5 FM dwelling on “Tackling youth unemployment in Africa” with an estimated reach of over 2 million listeners. He also emerged Top 20 finalist in the 2014 UNESCO Worldwide Youth Multimedia Contest with his article titled "Education for Cultural Coexistence and Global Unity". On the 17th of May, 2014 he carried out a Wellness and Fitness project titled "Health First" and then organized a Free Party for rural children in Ijare Community, Ondo State on May 27th (Children’s Day).
Louis Omolayo Adekola has been confirmed a suitable candidate for Merit Next; a year-long accelerator leadership programme starting in the United Kingdom in July, 2014 and ending in the United States of America in June 2015. ‘Merit Next’ is a leadership program developed by World Merit which provides a unique forum for connecting ambitious and determined people to share their knowledge and ideas. Thousands of aspiring social entrepreneurs are working together beyond beliefs and borders and Merit Next is one opportunity for them to develop themselves both on a personal and on a professional level. In the course of this programme, participants of this programme will, through mentorship and collaboration, carry out a global action project which will be presented at Washington DC next year to venture capitalist and world leaders.
Louis Omolayo Adekola is currently a Nigerian representative for World Merit, a GEMSTONE Ambassador, member of the World Youth Alliance as well as the United Nations Youth Association of Nigeria. He is the Chairperson of the International Youth Council, Ondo State Chapter and Team Leader of the Ambassadors of Africa and The EmpaGems. He is a career and educational consultant, a public speaker, an ‘Agent of Change’ a trained actor and dancer who love to share useful information and knowledge with others. He is very humble.
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