By Olanrewaju Agiri
The Chairman of the Oyo State Aquatic Association, Dr. Kazeem Akande, was among 96 notable Nigerians recently conferred membership (mni) of the prestigious National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) in Kuru, Plateau State.
The conferment was at the graduation ceremony of the National Institute’s Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47, 2025, the flagship programme of the National Institute, held on Saturday, 13 December 2025, following the successful completion by Akande, a renowned educationist and self-sponsored candidate.
The inductees were presented with their certificates after undergoing a rigorous 10-month intensive programme focused on the Blue Economy and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities.
The mni award is one of Nigeria’s most prestigious distinctions in strategic leadership and policy development. It is reserved for individuals who have demonstrated outstanding competence, discipline, and readiness to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, commended the graduands for their sustained and rigorous research into the maritime domain. He noted that their findings underscored the fact that securing Nigeria’s waterways, coastlines, and inland communities extends beyond safety concerns to issues of livelihoods, food security, environmental protection, and national cohesion.
The President, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, urged the graduands to remain focused, stressing that Nigerians expect them to contribute meaningfully to policy formulation, provide honest feedback on policy implementation, and drive institutional reforms across critical sectors, particularly security, governance, and development.
In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIPSS, Professor Ayo Omotayo, stated that, with the support of the Federal Government, the Institute has continued to expand its role in promoting effective policy formulation as Nigeria intensifies efforts to diversify its economy and enhance national prosperity.
Reacting after receiving his certificate during the induction ceremony, the philanthropist and humanitarian shared his thoughts on the state of education in the country, especially in Oyo State, and his willingness to contribute what he has learned to lift the standard of education and living of his people.
“My goal has always been to promote global and local peace and harmony while acknowledging that education is a basic human right. Everyone must have the chance to receive a top-notch education. In order to ensure that their youthful days are not wasted, it is crucial to support and empower Nigeria’s youth, who are now dealing with an extremely challenging scenario due to significant unemployment and other issues,” Akande, a core educationist noted.
Among many other youth and humanitarian organizations, Dr. Akande Kazeem Babatunde is the CEO of Easy-Prevarsity Education Services, the founder of the Ecolerite Institute of Peace Advancement, the chairman of the African Institute for Justices of the Peace’s Governing Council, and the founder of the Akande Tunde Movement (ATM).
