The Keynote Speaker of BAF 2018 Symposium, Mr. Paul Kennedy, the Director of Environmental and Social Performance at The Millennium Challenge Account Liberia (MCAL), a Liberian Government Agency established in 2015 by the Acts of a Liberian Legislation, to serve as the Accountable Entity in implementing a $257 Million Dollars Compact Project of the US Government and Liberian Government. In his address to a very active audience, Mr. Kennedy challenged the local, state and federal government to create an environment where private section strives so that the teeming youth can be gainfully employed. In his remarks, Mr. Kennedy stated that the challenges facing youth across Africa are similar and emphasis the need for youth to harness their potential while the government should get the youth involved in Nation building. According to the Keynote Speaker, “any country that wants to be developed must build the capacity of the young people even as he opinioned that human capacity development contributes to infrastructural and technological development. He commended Dr. Arowolaju Jr. whom he described as a brother, for BAF’s effort to transform education in Ekiti State.
The Chairman of the 2018 Symposium and Lecture, Professor Gbenga Jegede of the Ekiti state University commended the program and enjoined all stakeholders in the state to emulate such a worthy effort. Prof Jegede stated that inter-schools quiz competitions of this nature will inculcate the spirit of teamwork and healthy competition in students apart from promoting unity, peaceful coexistence and cordial relationships that will outlive their school years. The Prof. of Religious Studies stated that many talents will be discovered in different fields which will bring added advantage to the community at large. He called on stakeholders and constituted authorities to promote similar competitions in the state with government and philanthropists investing greater resources for the educational advancement of its citizens as qualitative education is a prerequisite for sustainable development.
Prof. Gbenga Jegede prayed for protection, guidance and abundant blessings for Dr. Bayo Arowolaju. He then admonished students to shun all vices and face their studies because the sure way to succeed in life is through education.
