Oladele John Nihi
Oladele John Nihi | |
|---|---|
| Vice President West Africa, Panafrican Youth Union, the official youth body of the African Union | |
| Assumed office November 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Mr. Aliou Oumarou |
| Commissioner for Youth Political Participation, Panafrican Youth Union | |
| In office March 2019 – November 2021 | |
| President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria | |
| In office 2015–2017 | |
| Preceded by | Mr. Suleiman Farouk Mazai |
| Succeeded by | Mr. Alonge Israel Femi |
| President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Kogi State Chapter | |
| In office 2019–2020 | |
| Preceded by | Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere |
| Succeeded by | Comrade Sukubo Saraigbe Sukubo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1988 Ayegunle Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Residence | Federal Republic of Nigeria |
| Alma mater | Kogi State University |
| Occupation | Political activist, politician |
| Website | https://officialojn.com/ |
| Nickname(s) | OJN |
Oladele John Nihi (born 15 July 1988) is a Nigerian politician and activist serving as the Vice President West Africa of the Panafrican Youth Union, the official youth body of the African Union. He was the Commissioner for Youth Political Participation of the organization before his election as the Vice President West Africa in 2021.[1][2] Prior to that, he served as one of the factional presidents of the National Youth Council of Nigeria from 2019 to 2020 but later resigned and initiated a peace and reconciliation move for the unity and progress of the organization.[3]
Early life
Oladele John Nihi was born on 15 July 1988 in Ayegunle Gbede community of Ijumu local government area in present-day Kogi State to the family of late Chief Joshua Olorundare Nihi and Elizabeth Bosede Nihi. His father was a Civil Engineer and his mother is a businesswoman. He is the third of the five children his mother birthed. He attended Ijowa Isanlu LGEA Primary School in Yagba East local government area between 1995 and 1997 before transferring to Model LGEA School in Iyah-Gbede in Ijumu where he completed his primary school education in 2000.[4] Oladele attended St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Lokoja between 2002 and 2004 where he obtained his Junior School Leaving Certificate before enrolling at the popular Federal Government College, Idoani.[5][6][7]
He gained admission into Kogi State University (now Prince Abubakar Audu University) and obtained a Bachelor's degree in Political Science in 2011. He also obtained a Master's degree in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution from National Open University of Nigeria in 2021.
Socio-political activism
As a socio-political activist, Nihi is notable for creating and using organized bodies in collaboration with like-minded individuals to push their agenda. He has founded many socio-political bodies including Youth Initiative Against Unlawful Emigration (YINAGUE) which is involved basically in education and advocacy amongst youth and young people to resist the temptation to risk their lives through illegal routes and means of emigration; and the Okun Illiteracy Eradication Foundation to fight against illiteracy in Okun land which is the Yoruba-speaking part of Kogi State.[8][9]
Following the 2015 presidential election in Nigeria where incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan lost his re-election bid to Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and quickly accepted defeat, Nihi announced that he was trekking from Abuja to Otuoke in honour of the president for not only ensuring a credible, free and fair election but also accepting defeat; an act which is rare among African leaders. He described Goodluck Jonathan as the "hero of democracy". Following the announcement of the planned trek, Nihi quickly gained nationwide attention as he kept Nigerians updated on his journey through the internet. The journey lasted for 19 days and covered 750km. He was received in Otuoke by President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife Patience Jonathan, and a crowd of admirers. Goodluck Jonathan described the gesture as a life-changing event and dedicated a whole chapter to Oladele John Nihi in his book My Transition Hours.[10]
Kogi State House of Assembly Crisis (2016)
Following the emergence of Alhaji Yahaya Bello as the Executive Governor of Kogi State in 2016, his party the All Progressive Congress (APC) had only 5 out of the 25 members of Kogi State House of Assembly while the Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) (PDP) had 20 members. In order to enable a conducive environment for the newly-elected Governor Yahaya Bello to work, the APC sought to secure majority of members in the State's House of Assembly. This led to a power tussle and leadership crisis in the legislative arm of government in the state.[11][12] As the crisis deepened, Governor Yahaya Bello set up an 11-man peace and reconciliation committee and appointed Oladele John Nihi as the chairman despite being the youngest member of the committee. After several meetings between the warring factions and the peace committee, Oladele announced that a resolution had been reached and the conflict was resolved.[13][14] This achievement prompted the State Government to honor Nihi with the Kogi State Peace Ambassador Award in 2016.
Chairman National Youth Council of Nigeria (Kogi State Chapter)
On 22nd March 2017, Nihi declared his intention to contest for the chairmanship of Kogi State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria in a press release.[15] His administration as the chairman of National Youth Council of Nigeria is widely described as a success and recorded many gains including the establishment of Kogi Youth House, the joint drafting and lobbying for the Kogi State Youth Development Commission bill which was later passed and signed into law in 2018.[16]
President National Youth Council of Nigeria (2019-2020)
Following the decision of Barr. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere to resign, a congress was held and Oladele John Nihi was elected as the new president of the youth council. His election was recognized by the council and endorsed by the outgoing president.[17] Shortly after, a leadership tussle broke out as 3 other members declared themselves as presidents. The factionalization and leadership crisis that rocked the NYCN crippled activities of the organization due to several court orders from the warring factions.[18] The crisis persisted for several months and prevented Nihi from achieving any meaningful objective. This prompted him to initiate the process for peace and a unified president for the progress of the organization and the Nigerian youth. He was able to convince the other factional leaders to step aside and endorse Ambassador Sukubo SaraIgbe Sukubo as the sole president of NYCN.[19]
Vice President (West Africa) Pan-African Youth Union)
Oladele John Nihi won in an election held in Niamey, Niger between 15-16 November 2021 and was declared the Vice President West Africa of the Panafrican Youth Union. Following his election, a formal reception was organized for him by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. He was received by the Minister, in his remarks, congratulated John Nihi on his feat and reiterated his support for young Nigerians taking up leadership positions in global organizations.[20][21] A grand reception event was also organized for him in Lokoja, the capital of Kogi State where he hails from.[22]
Others
In August 2019, it was announced that former President Olusegun Obasanjo had set up a 'technical committee' to draft a document called 'The Nigerian Dream'. The draft is based on the ideas of the former President and members of the committee included former Governor of Borno State Kashim Shettima, Nigeria’s former High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Christopher Kolade, former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, and many other high-profile personalities in the country. Oladele John Nihi was the youngest member of the committee. He was nominated and acknowledged by the former President.[23]
Asides from his life in the public domain, Nihi is an entrepreneur who tends to invest in hospitality, fashion, and beauty. He is the organizer of the annual Little Miss Nigeria pageantry whose objective is to promote the moral and cultural heritage of Nigeria and Africa. He is also the owner of Dabs Lounge in Lokoja.[24]
While attending an event at the headquarters of the Panafrican Youth Union in Rabat, the capital city of Morocco, he was informed that a staff of Dabs Lounge died as a result of an accident she had. He opted out of the event and boarded a plane back to Nigeria. He participated in the funeral rights to lay the deceased to rest in Ogori/Magongo local government area of Kogi State and later led a delegate of staff from Dabs Lounge to pay condolences to the deceased's family in Kaduna State.[25] He awarded a fully paid education scholarship to the deceased's younger sister. Nihi's vehicle was involved in a ghastly auto-crash while they were returning from Kaduna State on 24 July 2022. Fortunately, no lives were lost even though the vehicle was damaged beyond repairs. He had previously escaped death in 2015 when he drove into a ditch in an attempt to dodge a motorcycle rider who seemed to have lost control of his motorcycle on the Okene-Lokoja-Abuja Highway.[26][27] In January 2022, his car caught fire while he was driving his mum and aunt to a wedding ceremony.
Awards and recognitions
- Global Excellence in Leadership Award by National Association of Gbede Students 2014
- Community Service Award 2014 by Aiyegunle Gbede Student Union
- Special Recognition as Kogi State Peace Ambassador Award by Kogi State Government 2016
- Youth Advocate & Peace Ambassador of the Year 2016 by African Stewardship Magazine
- Kogi Youth Ambassadors Award by Kogi Female Youth Network 2017
- Award of Special Recognition by Nigerian Christian Youths Political Platform (NICHYPP) 2017
- Prestige Anchor Leadership, Empowerment & Capacity Building Award by Nigeria Young Leaders Forum 2019
- Golden Award of Excellence from the Yoruba General Assembly Worldwide 2022
References
- ↑ "Morocco hosts Pan-African Youth Union headquarters". North Africa Post. Morocco hosts Pan-African Youth Union headquarters. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ↑ Arogbonlo, Israel (November 19, 2021). "FG congratulates Oladele on victory at West Africa PYU elections". Vanguard. Retrieved 30 July 2022.
- ↑ "Nigerian youth council President resigns - Opera News". ng.opera.news. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "Model LGEA School Iyah Gbede General Information". HowSimply. How Simply. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School, Lokoja". School College Listings. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Federal Government College, Idoani". Federal Government College, Idoani. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Federal Government College, Idoani Alumni Association". Federal Government College, Idoani Alumni Association. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "GEJ's Trekker Unveils NGO To Combat Unlawful Migration". Legit.ng. 4 September 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Amb. Nihi To Speak At TedX Budon 2021". Kogi Reports. Kogi Reports. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ JONATHAN, EBELE (2018). MY TRANSITION HOURS. Nigeria: EZEKIEL Press. pp. 157–163. ISBN 9781732492264. Retrieved 31 July 2022. Search this book on
- ↑ "Kogi State House Of Assembly Crisis Deepens". Channels Television. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "THE KOGI STATE ASSEMBLY CRISIS – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Kogi State House Of Assembly Resolves Crisis". Channels Television. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Kogi Assembly Crisis Resolved – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Kogi NYCN Election; Oladele Nihi Declares Interest in Chairmanship Position". Kogi Reports. 22 March 2017.
- ↑ Adeyeye, Seun (14 November 2018). "Kogi Assembly passes Youth Devt Commission Bill, 4 others into law". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 31 July 2022.
- ↑ "Youth Council gets new president as Ugochinyere leaves office". Punch Newspapers. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ Report, Agency (18 August 2019). "Put your activities on hold, FG orders youth council". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ III, Editorial (9 March 2020). "NYCN mends fence as all factions adopt Sukubo as president". Blueprint Newspapers Limited: Breaking news happening now in Nigeria and todays latest newspaper headlines. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "Nigeria's John Nihi Wins Pan-African Youth Union Vice President Position". Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. 23 November 2021. Archived from the original on 31 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "PYU Vice Presidency: Nihi has made Nigeria proud, says Sports Minister The Nation Newspaper". 18 November 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "West Africa Youth Union VP, Dele Nihi, Receives Grand Reception in Kogi". Kogi Reports. 1 December 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "Obasanjo sets up 'Technical Committee' on 'The Nigerian Dream,' names high profile Nigerians -". The Eagle Online. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "Queen Mariam Kwada, Queen Chizzy Ogari and two others emerged 2021 Little Miss Nigeria queens". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 19 December 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "Management of Dabs Lounge Pays Condolences Visit to Aisoni' Family in Kaduna - Offers Scholarship to Deceased' Younger Sister". The Nigerian Post. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "GEJ Trekker, Oladele Nihi Escapes Death in Auto Crash (Photos)". Tori.ng. 7 September 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
- ↑ "GEJ trekker almost lost his life in motor accident". Pulse Nigeria. 8 September 2015. Archived from the original on 1 August 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
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