Unlocking Rural Potential: CELF Empowers Kwara State’s Youth Through Education
In the heart of Kwara State, Nigeria, a transformative organization is reshaping the educational landscape. The Countryside Emerging Leaders Fellowship (CELF), a non-governmental organization, is dedicated to equipping rural students with the leadership skills and educational opportunities they need to thrive, mirroring their urban counterparts.
CELF’s vision goes beyond mere equality; it strives to empower rural students to excel, potentially surpassing their urban peers. By creating robust educational opportunities, CELF aims to level the playing field and ensure that every student, regardless of their location, can access quality education.
CELF’s impact in rural communities across Kwara State has been substantial. The organization provides a platform for rural youth to blossom, focusing on self-development, entrepreneurship, and community development. Through these thematic areas, CELF equips young people with the skills and knowledge to become active contributors to their communities.
One remarkable initiative by CELF is the provision of full scholarships to 32 carefully selected students, with equal gender representation, from rural areas across all 16 local government areas of Kwara State. These scholars embarked on a two-week camping experience at the Army Headquarters in Sobi Ilorin, where they were mentored by esteemed leaders, including Dr. Kadiri Khadihat Kehinde from the University of Ilorin and Community Development expert Prof M.B Shittu, among others.
Following their induction as Fellows, these students are tasked with applying the knowledge and development mindset they’ve acquired to make positive contributions to their respective communities. CELF’s dedication to empowering rural youth has also garnered support from the youthful Kwara Speaker, Engr Yakubu Danladi-Salihu, who has promised legislative frameworks for funding.
CELF was founded by Dr. Lawal Olalekan Olohungbebe (PhD), a community development practitioner who firmly believes that education is a fundamental right, not a privilege, Publicity Secretary of CELF, Dr. Abdulrasheed Saadudeen (PhD), is also one of the organization’s executives. The organization has forged partnerships with various entities, including the Haashim Initiative for Community Advancement (HICA), The Informant247 Newspaper and Brain Builders Development Initiative, among others.
Since its inception, CELF has been conducting its Emerging Leaders Fellowship program annually since 2020. This program exposes rural youths to leadership skills and opportunities, enabling them to become productive members of society. The initiative is open to all secondary school students in Kwara State interested in honing their leadership abilities.
The 2020 edition of the program was held at the Army Headquarters in Sobi Ilorin, featuring camping activities, mentorship sessions, and community development projects. The camping experience fostered teamwork, mentorship sessions connected participants with successful leaders, and community development projects aimed to address challenges faced by rural communities.
CELF’s impact is evident through its provision of leadership training to over 100 rural youths in Kwara State and the awarding of full scholarships to 32 deserving students. This positive influence has earned CELF recognition from prominent figures such as Dr. Kadiri Khadihat Kehinde of the University of Ilorin and Community Development expert Prof. M.B Shittu, among others.
In conclusion, CELF is reshaping the narrative in Kwara State by offering greater opportunities to rural students. The organization’s commitment to empowering young people in rural areas mirrors its vision for a more equitable and inclusive educational system. CELF advocates for the adoption of this innovative approach nationwide, aiming to create a better Nigeria where educational advantages reach every corner of the country.