By Uche Amunike
President Mohammadu Buhari has felicitated with Noel Ifeanyi Alumona for emerging the winner of the 2022 AFS Award for Global Citizens, making him the first African to coast home with the prize for the first time since its inception in 1914.
Alumona received the award during the International Youth Day, put together by the United Nations Global Communications Department, the AFS Intercultural Programmes and the Youth Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Speaking, through a statement released by his Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, he lauded the young Alomena for his kindness, responsiveness and sacrificial spirit which helped contribute to his attaining such a great feat.
Noel Ifeanyi Alomena is a student of Special Education at the Vanderbilt University in the United States and has so far, created foundations that cater for vulnerable, physically challenged and less privileged people in the society.
He also appreciated him for his exceptional character and zeal in helping others, most especially, for attracting a global prize to the country in recognition of his fierce campaign to end violence against women and the girl child through proper orientation of boys on responsibility and respectability.
He further detailed that Noel, who is an Obama Foundation Fellow, a United Nations Youth Assembly Delegate and a United States Institute of Peace Fellow at a young age was already doing the right thing in his life time and setting a good template by devoting his energy to motivating, inspiring and supporting other people, while at the same time, providing a platform for charity.
He prayed that God will continue to lead and direct the award recipient with the wisdom to serve Nigeria and humanity.
Noel Ifeanyi Alomena has also been congratulated by the Governor of his home state in Nigeria, Enugu.
Speaking, through a statement by Governor Ugwuanyi, but released by his Special Adviser on Information, Steve Oruruo, Ugwuanyi stated that Noel’s latest achievement will serve as a big motivation for youths in the state.
His words: ‘the state government takes special cognizance of the huge inspiration and unprecedented impetus this phenomenal feat will invariably engender in the psyche of our teeming youths,” adding that “of greater and more enduring significance, is the fact that this is the first time an African is winning this prestigious award since inception in 1914.’
The state Governor applauded Noel for what he termed ‘the unflinching sense of dexterity, unwavering commitment, unyielding vigour, sustained candour and unflappable diligence with which our illustrious son has pursued the emancipation of the global community; a seemingly intolerant world and elimination of all prejudice against persons in special education, especially, women and the girl child’.
He went on to affirm that the purpose of Noel Ifeanyi Alumona’s BOYS CHAMPION ORGANIZATION totally aligns with policies laid down by the state government to prioritize and rejuvenate the education sector, general welfare and security of Nigerians, while eschewing all forms of violence against humanity.
He promised that the Enugu State Government will partner with Noel and his organization In order to have the impacts of his global accomplishment embedded in the fabrics of their immediate societies.
