By Carol Fellows
A Senior Education Officer with the Lagos State Ministry of Education in Nigeria, Adaela Adefemi has been selected to attend the Rotary Peace Center at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. She will commence her studies for the certificate program with the February 2024 cohort.
Adeala is the recipient of many awards, including the Global Teacher Top 50 Teachers in the World Award in 2021, the Overall Best Teacher in Lagos State and the Overall Best Teacher in Nigeria in in 2022.
In her application Adeala wrote: “Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations once said ‘Education is, quite simply, peace building by another name.’ As an educator, especially one in a conflict-ridden country, it is my responsibility to ensure every child has access to quality education that will contribute to peace, recovery, and reconstruction needed for our nation’s sustainable development. I am also responsible for helping learners acquire the right skills and knowledge needed to live peacefully with others.”
With a long term goal of working with the agencies in charge of curriculum planning in Nigeria and Africa, Adeala’s social justice initiative is to promote gender parity in schools. She has witnessed how childhood can be a breeding site for conflict and the impact that marginalization and lack of access to quality education can have on a nation. She previously established a community radio hub for girls and initiated “Every Child Counts” and “Child Not Bride” campaigns in her community. Known to be a creator of leaders and not followers, she led low performing students to win over one hundred local and international competitions within five years.
Please join those of us on the District 5110 Rotary Peace Fellowship Subcommittee in extending our congratulations to this amazing your woman. We look forward to following her career.
2 Responses
Thanks for the article Carol. Isn’t it nice belonging to an organization that finds and provides additional motivation to such talented and dedicated individuals around the globe. All in the name of peace.
I’d love to learn more about this exceptional student! Where is she enrolled now and in what program? Is she available to speak at Rotary Clubs? I look forward to hearing more about our International Peace Scholars in District 5110.