He is passionate about enhancing a global community where individual strengths and core values will be effectively enhanced towards ensuring quality leadership and development / transformation of the African continent and the world at large. Big words, simple translation: Aanu Damola is passionate about positive change!
Aanu Damola Morenikeji might have been one of Africa’s youngest authors, when he published his first book in 2002 at the age of nine. He has since authored six books and serves as a member of the executive committee of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Ogun State chapter.
He is the founding Team Leader of All for Development Foundation (ADM Foundation), an organisation focused on building young people and promoting education, leadership and youth development.
Founded in 2009, as the Network for Talent Discovery (NETAD), the organisation has created platforms for engaging young people in promoting intellectual, educational development, youth leadership and qualitative governance.
A few of their initiatives have included ‘Studership’ – an annual youth leadership academy for engaging, connecting and equipping emerging leaders for sustainable change, promoting integrity and value-based leadership; the Youth Stakeholders Forum; the NETAD Young and Emerging Leaders Summit; NETAD National Youth Forum; the Spelling Giant Competition; YouthSpeak Development, amongst others.
An aspiring leader and democrat, Aanu Damola is a Fellow of The Social Leadership Academy, U.S.A (2013) and DESPLAY Fellow (2012). A youth development ‘Ambassador’, he contributes to youth development advocacy and policy making through several fora – some of which have included representing Nigeria at the African Youth and Governance Conference (2012), African Youth Heritage Festival in Accra, Ghana (2012), and participating as a Delegate at the Global Youth Forum held in Bali, Indonesia (December 2012).
Did I mention that this accomplished young man is a student? He is currently studying Plant Physiology and Crop Production at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; and for such a young man, the awards and recognitions are flowing in by the dozen.
Aanu Damola is the Pioneer recipient of the Ogun State Youth Award for Excellence in Health and Community Service adjudged by the Ogun State Government of Nigeria (May, 2012), a Finalist for the ‘Life Changer’s Rising Star award’, United Kingdom (November 2011), ‘Integrity Practitioner Award’ adjudged by the Independent Crime and Corrupt Practice and Other Related Offences Commission – National Anti-Corruption Volunteers Corps [ICPC/NAVC], Ogun state (October 2010), ‘The Most Outstanding Secondary School Student in Ogun State (Nigeria) award’ by the Ogun State Teaching Service Commission (January 2010), an ‘Outstanding Award’ by the Student Representative Council of Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, Ogun State (June 2009.
He has allegedly received glowing recommendations from the former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, Obiageli Ezekwesili (former Vice President for Africa, World Bank), Rtd General Oladipo Diya (former de facto Vice President of Nigeria and former military governor of Ogun state), Kwame Kilpatric (former Mayor of Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A), and Dr. Jerry Agada (former Nigeria Minister of States for Education.
The seemingly tireless young man was recently appointed as a as a Global Youth Ambassador for ‘A World at School’, a critical partner of the Youth Advocacy Group of the United Nations Global Education First Initiative.
“In this new role, I have a mandate to call attention to the 57 million children around the world who are missing out on basic education – and as a young Nigerian, passionate about education, leadership and youth development, I am eager to begin this task … In alliance with Nelson Mandela’s opinion, I believe that education is the key to building a better future for us all. I hope that together we promote this message…” Aanu stated.
Interesting Fact: Aanu Damola is the youngest Nigerian to host and organize a Spelling Giant Competition…at the ripe age of 16!
Age they say, is but a number; and I say, ‘There is no age barrier to greatness!’
Learn. Think. Act. Repeat!
