His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation was on a 3 Day visit to Nigeria from the 4th to 6th of February 2020. The visit was aimed majorly amongst other things to raise the profile of the Award in Nigeria through engagements with policy makers and stakeholders both in the public and private sectors. The widely publicized visit in the print and online media helped close the information gap about the Award in Nigeria. His Royal Highness visit also demonstrated the Royal Family’s enduring interest in supporting young people across the Commonwealth.
A part of activities during His Royal Highness visit, was a Fundraising reception and dinner in Lagos which was aimed at strengthening the financial sustainability of the Award in Nigeria, by providing the core of an endowment fund.
His Royal Highness also attended a participant youth concert and exhibition fair in Lagos which gave Award participants an opportunity to showcase and exhibit their skills, talent and activities in all sections of the Award. Participants, Award leaders and volunteers had the opportunity to interact and engage with HRH.
Before departing Lagos, His Royal Highness accompanied by the British Deputy High Commissioner, Mrs. Harriet Thompson; the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The International Award for Young People Nigeria, Mr. Olawale Edun; Regional Director, The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation Africa, Mr. Edwin Kimani; Trustee of The International Award for Young People Nigeria, Dr. Doyinsola Abiola and Political Adviser, British Deputy High Commission, Mr. Wale Adebajo also paid a courtesy call on the Governor of Lagos State at the Lagos House, Ikeja where HRH was received by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. HRH used the opportunity of the visit to speak about the Award and its enduing principles and the role of non-formal education in helping young people gain life skills and experiences outside the classroom.
In his response, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu expressed the commitment of the Lagos State Government towards increasing access to internet for Award participants in Lagos State public secondary schools.
In Abuja His Royal Highness attended a Participant exhibition fair at Government Secondary School, Lugbe and a Gold Award presentation ceremony at the National Stadium, Abuja. 14 deserving young people who completed the Gold level of the Award were presented their certificate and badges by His Royal Highness and Mr Sunday Dare, The Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development. HRH commended the Awardees and encouraged them to carry on with the values they have gained through the Award and also be good ambassadors by promoting the Award everywhere the find themselves.
A major take out from His Royal Highness visit to Nigeria is the commitment made by the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sport Development to partner with the International Award for Young People Nigeria to create an opportunity for more young people in National Youth Service Corps NYSC to take part in the Award. The Minister pointed out that “youths needed opportunities to set goals, build confidence and achieve whatever thing they desire and the Award is a good platform to increase thirst for excellence”.
Special thanks for our corporate sponsors for supporting the Royal Visit
