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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
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim Abandoned by Fleeing Abductors in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 3, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have rescued a 47-year-old woman, Mrs Pollina Alfred, who was kidnapped from her residence in Dong Village, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The rescue operation was conducted on August 11, 2026, following the abduction of the victim from her residence in the community.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that troops launched a search operation at about 7:00 a.m. and tracked the kidnappers to the Rafin Bauna general area in Bassa Local Government Area of the state.
The troops subsequently came under pressure as they intensified their search, forcing the kidnappers to abandon the victim and flee into the surrounding area.
Mrs Alfred was found and rescued by the troops without further harm.
Following the rescue, the victim was debriefed by the security personnel before being reunited with her family.
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim Abandoned by Fleeing Abductors in Plateau
Troops Foil Armed Berom Militias Moving To Attack Fulani Communities in Mangu, Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have engaged armed Berom militias following reports of their movement from Barkin Ladi Local Government Area to carry out attacks in some fulani communities in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sub-Sector 81, reinforced by additional personnel from Headquarters Sector 8, mobilised to the general area at about 7:00 a.m. on August 11, 2026, following an advance report on the movement of the armed group.
The militias were reportedly moving towards Gwomgada, Dorong and Kaduno communities in Langai District of Mangu LGA.
The troops subsequently made contact with the armed group at Makera and Kaduno communities, leading to a firefight.
The engagement forced the militias to withdraw towards the general area of Jos East Local Government Area.
The troops are currently pursuing the fleeing group to deny them freedom of action and prevent further attacks on communities.
In a reinforcement effort, a detachment of the Special Forces has also been dispatched from Headquarters, Operation Enduring Peace, to support the troops operating in the area.
Further details on the operation are expected as the military continues its efforts to contain the threat and secure affected communities.
Troops Foil Armed Berom Militias Moving To Attack Fulani Communities in Mangu, Plateau
Troops Repel Fulani Bandits Attack, Secure Farmlands in Mangu, Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP), have repelled an attack by suspected armed Fulani bandits during a response to reports of farmland destruction at Manja Forest in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
A military source told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred at about 12:45 p.m. on August 11, 2026, following reports that armed herders suspected to be Fulani militias were destroying farmlands in the area.
The troops swiftly mobilised to the location and made contact with the armed group.
A firefight ensued, during which the troops employed superior firepower and forced the militias to withdraw in disarray.
The source said the troops expended 10 rounds of 7.62mm x 54mm ammunition and 19 rounds of 12.7mm x 108mm ammunition during the engagement.
Following the encounter, the troops maintained dominance of the area to prevent the attackers from regrouping or launching further attacks against farmers and other residents.
The troops also engaged community leaders and members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), urging them to sustain neighbourhood watch activities and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to protect farming communities, prevent attacks and maintain security across vulnerable areas of Plateau State.
Troops Repel Fulani Bandits Attack, Secure Farmlands in Mangu, Plateau
Troops Rescue Kidnap Victim Abandoned by Fleeing Abductors in Plateau
Troops Restore Normalcy After Drivers Block Highway, Vandalise Government Property in Plateau
Farmer arrested after killing Fulani Harder during altercation in Kaduna
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