News
African Students Clinch Top Honours as KDI School Graduates New Global Policy Leaders
African Students Clinch Top Honours as KDI School Graduates New Global Policy Leaders
By: Michael Mike
African students were among the standout performers as the KDI School of Public Policy and Management held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony, reinforcing the institution’s growing role in shaping a new generation of global policy leaders committed to ethical governance and sustainable development.
The award recipients included Stephen Ojegbola from Nigeria, who earned the Academic Excellence Achievement Award in Intellectual Property and Development Policy.
Speaking at the ceremony in Sejong, the Dean of KDI School, Professor Joon-Kyung Kim, congratulated the graduating class on what he described as a hard-earned achievement, while urging them to prepare for greater responsibilities ahead.
“Today is a day to take pride in how far you have come. After hardship comes happiness, but beyond one mountain lies another mountain. You are now part of our global KDI community of over 73,000 alumni across 143 countries, and wherever you go, you belong to something bigger,” Prof. Kim said.
The Dean highlighted KDI School’s global standing, noting that it was the first institution in Korea to receive the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) accreditation twice and that it has been recognised for the fifth consecutive year as an excellent institution by the Korean Ministry of Education.
He added that KDI ranked in the global 51+ tier for Social Policy and Administration in the 2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject and placed second worldwide in citations per paper.
He however stressed that the true measure of success lay beyond rankings and awards, insisting that: “More important than accolades is what you take with you—the skills to use data, the values to serve others and the commitment to improve the world around you,” describing Korea’s development experience as a roadmap to sustainable development for emerging economies.
In a keynote address, the Ambassador of Rwanda to the Republic of Korea, Bakuramutsa Nkubito Manzi, charged graduates to embrace collaboration in addressing complex global challenges.
He said: “The era of isolated policy-making is over. Climate change, global health security and rising inequality demand cooperation, empathy and intellectual humility. Your success in public service will not be measured by profit, but by impact.”
He added that KDI training had equipped graduates with the ability to analyse policy through the lens of public good and ethical governance, urging them to become “solution makers, not just problem identifiers,” inspired by Korea’s transformation known as the Miracle on the Han River.
Several other African students received academic awards for exceptional performance at the ceremony. Alinafe Yoyola of Malawi (Master of Development Policy), Alieu Ceesay of The Gambia (Master of Data Science for Public Policy and Management) and Mustapha Colley of The Gambia (Master of Public Policy) won the Academic Excellence Achievement Award, while Pamela Mwale of Malawi, a Master of Public Policy graduate, earned a place on the Dean’s List.
Also, Nander Esmeralda Ndam (Master in Intellectual Property and Development Policy) from Nigeria and Samson Garama Dadu (Master of Public Policy) from Kenya received awards for Student Community Service.
Reflecting on his experience, Ojegbola said he chose KDI School for its unique partnership with the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).
He said: “This programme links intellectual property directly to development policy. Everything here is intentionally designed to bring the best out of students, and the experience challenged me to grow beyond my expectations.”
Another graduate, Muyama Christine from Uganda, described her journey as demanding but transformative. “Policy works not when it assumes self-sufficiency, but when it recognises interdependence,” she said, adding that her time at KDI had shown her the power of community and shared purpose.
African Students Clinch Top Honours as KDI School Graduates New Global Policy Leaders
Emir of Tikau commends the foundation for its people-oriented project in Yobe.
By: Yahaya Wakili
His Royal Highness, the Emir of Tikau, Alhaji Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II, PhD, has commended the Alminnah Charitable Foundation for executing the people-oriented giant project in the emirate.
Dr. Abubakar Muhammadu Ibn Grema II made the commendation today while commissioning the new Juma’at Mosque at Dugum in the Watinane district of the Nangere local government area of Yobe State.
He said, “Actually, we have nothing to say. We say Alhamdulila; thank you for everything you have done.” The mosque was named after the late emir of Tikau, Alhaji Muhammadu Abubakar Ibn Grema.
Adding to that, they are looking forward to still partnering with you to bring more of this kind of project to our communities.
The royal father maintained that, and inshallah, we are going to collaborate and lease with you to bring all the necessary development immediately to our community.
“We know that you have brought many things, such as boreholes, and a lot of educational support to our citizens,” the emir added.
Emir of Tikau commends the foundation for its people-oriented project in Yobe.
Troops Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Children, in Kogi
By Zagazola Makama
Security forces have rescued 16 kidnapped victims, including four children, following an operation against suspected bandits in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The victims were kidnapped on Aug. 9 when suspected bandits attacked commuters along the Ojuwo-Ajengo-Memarebo and Ojiwo-Itobe roads in Ofu Local Government Area.
According Intelligence sources, information received at about 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 indicated that the victims had been sighted around Adumu community in Dekina.
Following the intelligence, troops of 21 Battalion and personnel of Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Lugard, in conjunction with the Nigeria Police, local vigilantes and Hybrid Forces, launched a search-and-rescue operation in the area.
The security forces eventually made contact with the suspected kidnappers and engaged them in a gun battle, forcing the criminals to abandon the victims and flee into the surrounding area.
The encounter, however, resulted in the death of one member of the Hybrid Forces, while a police personnel sustained injuries.
The rescued victims comprised six males, six females and four children.
The victims have been taken into the custody of the Nigeria Police, Ajaokuta Division, for further action, while security forces continue efforts to track down the fleeing kidnappers.
Troops Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Children, in Kogi
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Pursue Suspects in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 6, Operation ENDURING PEACE (OPEP), have rescued a suspected kidnap victim following an attack on a vehicle in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau.
The incident occurred at about 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 10 along the Angwan Boka-Forest axis in Riyom, according to a security report.
Troops deployed at SOPP responded to information on the activities of suspected kidnappers who had blocked a blue J5 vehicle with registration number JJN 183 XP.
Upon arrival at the location, the troops established contact with the suspected kidnappers and launched a pursuit, mounting sustained pressure on the criminals.
During the operation, one of the occupants of the vehicle, identified as Mr Ali Abdullahi, was rescued.
Troops are currently conducting a search and rescue operation for the third occupant, who is reportedly the owner of goods being conveyed in the vehicle.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and safely recover the remaining victim.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim, Pursue Suspects in Plateau
Emir of Tikau commends the foundation for its people-oriented project in Yobe.
Troops Ambush Lakurawa Terrorists Heading to Attack Kebbi Community, Recover Motorcycles, Communication Equipment
Troops Rescue 16 Kidnap Victims, Including Four Children, in Kogi
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions5 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Politics1 year ago2027: Why Hon. Midala Balami Must Go, as Youths in Hawul and Asikira/Uba Federal Constituency Reject ₦500,000 as Sallah Gift
