The UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding (UNESCO-IACIU) has conferred its prestigious “Distinguished Leadership in Youth Entrepreneurship & Cultural Promotion Award” on Mrs. Olayinka D. Nasamu, Ogun State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
This was contained in a statement made available to news men by the Institute on Sunday
According to the statement, “The award was presented during the 2025 Cultural Carnival of the Ogun State NYSC held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit and cultural diversity of Nigerian Youth.
” This year’s carnival saw the active participation of 2,062 corps members posted to Ogun State, who competed in two distinct phases: entrepreneurship and cultural diversity.
” During the entrepreneurial phase, corps members—many of whom had no prior business training before attending the Batch A Stream II NYSC orientation camp—demonstrated remarkable ingenuity by establishing small businesses after just ten days of intensive training.
” Several participants, speaking during an interview disclosed that they had already begun earning income from their new ventures before leaving the Orientation Camp.
The statement further added ” The cultural phase of the carnival featured ten NYSC squads, each adopting and showcasing the traditions of a different Nigerian ethnic group, regardless of the members’ own backgrounds.
” This approach fostered mutual respect, deeper understanding, and appreciation for Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage. Each squad’s performance highlighted unique cultural attributes, reinforcing the values of unity and national cohesion.
The also disclosed that ” in recognition of her exemplary leadership, Mrs. Nasamu was honoured for her unwavering commitment to empowering Nigerian youth with transformative entrepreneurial skills and her tireless efforts in promoting cultural diversity.
According to it, “Under her stewardship, NYSC programmes in Ogun State have become dynamic platforms for entrepreneurship, self-reliance, and intercultural dialogue, directly aligning with the objectives of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
“Through her visionary coordination, Mrs. Nasamu has consistently championed innovative initiatives that prepare Nigerian youth for productive futures in a competitive global economy, while also celebrating and preserving our nation’s cultural wealth,”
It stated that Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, Director of UNESCO-IACIU. UNESCO-IACIU in his remarks described Mrs. Nasamu as a leader whose work inspires current and future generations to embrace their cultural identities and pursue excellence.
According to him, ” her legacy will continue to shape empowered, culturally conscious, and socially responsible leaders across Nigeria.
Prof Okebukola disclosed the UNESCO-IACIU award underscored Mrs. Nasamu’s contributions to national cohesion and youth empowerment, setting a benchmark for leadership in line with the 2005 UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity.
Okebukola observed that “these efforts resonate deeply with the objectives of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
The statement added that In honouring Mrs. Nasamu, UNESCO-IACIU saluted a leader whose work embodies the spirit of innovation, inclusion, and intercultural dialogue.
” Her legacy will continue to inspire present and future generations of Nigerian youth to embrace their cultural identity while striving for excellence and self-empowerment.
” This award celebrates her tireless efforts in shaping a generation of empowered, culturally conscious, and socially responsible leaders—aligning perfectly with UNESCO’s mission of building peace through education, creativity, and inclusive development.”
It added that while speaking after receiving the award, Mrs Nasamu appreciated UNESCO-IACIU for the honour done her
“I did not know that my efforts and those of my colleagues in Ogun State NYSC in entrepreneurship education and the promotion of the cultural diversity of Nigeria are of interest and being recorded by international organisations such as UNESCO
” This is why, you my corpers who I love so much should keep doing the best you can since you may not know who is watching. The time for rewarding your efforts may come sooner than you think.” she stated
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