Education key to Africa’s prosperity in a global economy — Expert

The Chief Executive Officer, Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, Simi Nwogugu, has advised Nigeria’s changemakers to apply or be nominated for the inaugural Africa Education Medal, launched by T4 Education, in collaboration with HP and Intel.

Nwogugu joined leading figures from across Africa to support the new award that will be given an outstanding individual who has demonstrated impact, leadership and advocacy in the field of education.

The Africa Education Medal was launched to recognise those who are transforming education across the continent, so that others will be inspired to take up the torch.

Nwogugu said: “A good education will empower young people in Nigeria and across Africa to fulfill their potential, secure better lives for themselves, families, and communities. I am a beneficiary of great educational institutions from attending a public secondary school in Lagos, Nigeria, to a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) at Harvard Business School, which empowered me to return to Nigeria to expand the work of JA across Nigeria and the continent. “Africa’s great changemakers know education is the key to our continent’s prosperity in a global economy. I urge inspirational leaders from Nigeria and across the region to step forward and apply for the medal so their stories can inspire others.”

Managing Director at HP Africa, Brad Pulford, said the firm is committed to enabling better learning outcomes for 100 million people between 2015 and 2025, noting that achieving the goal would not be possible without empowered education leaders and trailblazers at the forefront of rapidly changing education environment.

“The Africa Education Medal not only honours those seeking to improve education across Africa, it gives them a platform to amplify their voices and inspire others to follow their examples,” Pulford said.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer, T4 Education, Vikas Pota, noted that quality education would help African countries grow and prosper.

“It will help Africa produce leaders of tomorrow, who will go on to grapple with the continent’s greatest challenges from inequality to climate change, food insecurity and diseases,” he said.

The award is opened to individuals working to improve pre-kindergarten, vocational and university education, who are educators and school administrators, civil society leaders, public servants and government officials, political leaders, technologists and innovators.

Nominees must demonstrate their contribution in some key areas, such as significantly improving learning outcomes, promoting girls’ education, promoting equity and broadening access to education, advancing pedagogical or technological innovation, building and strengthening educators’ capacity, among others.

The Top 10 finalists for the award would be announced in July, while the winner will be announced in September.
Nominations, including self-nominations, can be made online at http://www.africaeducationmedal.org/ and closes on June 3.