The permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, Dr. Maryam Ismaila Keshinro, was honoured with the African Trailblazer Merit Award for Strategic Public Service and Administrative Governance by the Unveiling African Parliament Writers Network (UAPWN).
The award was conferred on him, weekend, in recognition of her outstanding leadership, commitment to public service and transformative contributions to youth development in Nigeria.
UAPWN is a network of journalists from the print, electronic, and digital media across six African countries, that recognises distinguished public officials and institutional leaders who have demonstrated visionary leadership, policy innovation, administrative excellence and an unwavering commitment to national development.
The organisers said Dr. Keshinro’s leadership has been defined by a results-driven and people-centred approach that has strengthened institutional effectiveness, advanced youth empowerment initiatives, enhanced collaboration across all levels of government and improved public service delivery.
The organisers particularly acknowledged her strategic interventions in the reform and strengthening of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), including sustained advocacy for increased funding and the rehabilitation and upgrade of orientation camp infrastructure nationwide.
These efforts, they noted, have significantly improved the safety, welfare, and overall experience of corps members while enhancing the operational efficiency of the Scheme.
Dr. Keshinro was also commended for promoting strategic partnerships between the ministry, state and local governments, development partners, civil society organisations and other key stakeholders.