The Senator representing Kwara North Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Sadiq Suleiman Umar, has bagged the African Youth Role Model Prize.

The colorful event which was organized by the African Youth Resource Centre, one of Africa’s foremost youth serving organizations in commemoration of the 2022 International Youth Day, was held on Friday 12th August 2022 at the Zuma Hall, Rockview Royale Hotel, Abuja.
Recieving the prize, Sen. Umar, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business, commended the Centre for the great initiative of promoting and encouraging role modeling and mentorship to young people. He lamented the moral decadence among young people;
“I am so elated to receive this prize today. I feel highly honoured and challenged to keep doing positive things that will put our young people on track. I was surprised when I learned of the prize. I never knew the little positive impacts and contributions I try to make is being monitored and noticed. I cherish this so much and hereby dedicate it to my Constituents, who gave me the platform to represent them and showcase some of these traits that qualified me for this Continental Award,” he said.
In his Keynote Address, the Honourable Minister for Youth and Sports Development, Mr. Sunday Dare, who was represented by Mrs. Lami Bature, an Assistant Director in the Ministry, commended the AYRC for organising the 2022 International Youth Day celebration, which he described as a date earmarked by the United Nations to amongst others, draw global attention to issues of youth development and youth inclusiveness. He advised the youths to be diligent, focused and patriotic agents of nation building, while urging them to shun violence, drug abuse, indolence and other social vices that impede the actualisation of their fullest potentials. Describing Role Modelling as key to youth empowerment, the Minister further appealed for relentless support for youth development initiatives from the Public and Private Sectors, as well as private individuals.
Others who bagged the coveted prize include Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, Commandant General of the NSCDC; Chief Edward David Onoja, Deputy Governor of Kogi State; Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate and Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons.
The event was attended by youth representatives from the states, top government officials, Members of the Diplomatic Corps, experts from the Nigerian movie industry, amongst others.