AE-FUNAI Graduate Bags Prestigious NYSC President’s Honours Award

Ije Hilary Chinedu, a graduate of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, is one of 200 outstanding young Nigerians honoured by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for distinguishing themselves during their national service programme.

His selection for the President’s NYSC Honours Award followed a rigorous process by the National Selection Committee, which identified him as an exemplary corps member who combined leadership, community service, and innovation to make lasting impacts.

The President’s NYSC Honours Award is one of the highest national recognitions for Nigerian youths, presented to corps members who distinguished themselves through exceptional leadership, community service, innovation and patriotism amongst others, during their one-year National Youth Service.

Established in 1974, the award reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to encouraging young Nigerians who go beyond the basic requirements of the NYSC scheme to make impactful contributions to their host communities and the national at large.

Hilary, who hails from Afikpo LGA, of Ebonyi State, graduated with a degree in Chemical Engineering in 2022 and served in Oyo State, where he was elected Platoon Secretary and won competitions that distinguished him as a leader and innovator.

His most remarkable achievement was transforming Iyake Lake; the world’s only naturally suspended lake into a thriving tourism attraction. In partnering with community leaders, he installed an information boards, planted ornamental trees, mounted the Nigerian flag, as well as facilitated the first-ever posting of corps members in tourism management to the site, increasing both visitors and income for the community.

He also organized quiz competitions, trained students in digital skills, empowered widows with financial literacy and material support, and authored “NYSC: A Parachute for All Youths”, thereby promoting NYSC’s role in youth empowerment and inclusion, with free copies distributed to schools and communities.

Expressing gratitude, Hilary dedicated the award to AE-FUNAI, saying, “This award is not just for me but for our university, for grooming me into who I am today.”

Reacting to the good news, the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sunday Elom, commended Hillary for his exceptional achievement, describing him as ‘’a shining example of the values of excellence, integrity and enterprise the university strives to instill in every graduate’’. 

He noted that Hillary’s recognition at the national level not only honours him personally but also elevates the image of AE-FUNAI as a citadel that produces graduates who are globally competitive, community-oriented and patriotic in mind-set.