Demola Akinyemi
Sometime in November 2019 Emmanuel Oluwasayomi Ahmadu, a graduate of Mass Communications University of Benin was carrying out his One-year National Youth Service Corps assignment in Kwara state, granted audience to the state Correspondent, Demola Akinyemi, in Vanguard office Ilorin on how he sat for WAEC/GCE examinations for seventeen times all because he didn’t want to cut corners, before he secured admission into the University of Benin, in Edo state. It was widely published in our Online back then, precisely on December,1,2019.
Emmanuel’s story is a testament to resilience and
determination, akin to Dr. Ben Carson’s. He first gained international
attention in 2018 when he won the International Award for Student Brand of the
Year in West Africa while an undergraduate at the University of Benin (UNIBEN).
Emmanuel who graduated in Mass Communication from the
University of Benin in 2018, received recognition from the Vice-Chancellor as
an extraordinary student whose achievements were archived in the university’s
main library to inspire hope in others.
He was also recognized as the Most Innovative Student in
Nigeria, Media Personality of the Year, and received several other prestigious
awards for his impactful initiatives and media influence.
Shortly after his service year, fortune smiled on Emmanuel
as his family raised funds for him from Church, Cooperatives and loans from
banks with which he proceeded to study in USA.
The Global Changemaker, Emmanuel popularly known as ‘Mr.
Voiceover,’ in a chat with Vanguard Correspondent said he was admitted into
Cleveland State University in the USA in 2021 for graduate studies in School
Counseling, even though he still work with the professors there.
“But I needed to transfer to Cuyahoga Community College to
get the basic background into Human Services and get closer access to community
resources and programs about the field I’m equipping myself for.” he added .
He also said that on June 4,2024 he was honored with an
academic honorary Doctorate Degree in International Affairs (DIA) from Global
Seminary University, New York, USA stressing that,”This recognition, in
collaboration with GEPEA University, Portugal, acknowledges my distinguished
contributions to the promotion of peace and sustainable mental wellness and
hope globally.
“Additionally,I have been honored as a Professional Doctoral
Fellow by The Across Global Institute of Foreign Languages (AGIFL) for my
impactful use of English as a foreign language to create positive changes
across the world.My remarkable journey from overcoming significant educational
and personal challenges to making significant global impacts in mental health
advocacy and suicide prevention has earned me these prestigious honors.”he
said.
His contributions to mental health awareness, suicide
prevention, and curbing social misconduct among adolescents and youths across
nations have been profound.
Emmanuel’s innovative approaches and advocacy efforts
according to him,have reached over 10 million young people globally through
various school mental awareness programs, media engagements, and interviews
with prominent media outlets such as Vanguard Newspapers, BBC News (Pidgin),
ITV, Galaxy TV,and Arise TV News, among others.
In the USA, Emmanuel has made significant strides. As a
Student Government President and Vice President of the Joint Student Council
Board across five campuses of Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland, his
administration brought hope and connected students to essential resources,
including mental health support.
He stated that his impact earned him numerous awards,
including “Distinguished Student Leader with a Big Heart” from the College and
“Outstanding Mental Health Advocate of the Year” by the Active Minds
Organization.
Currently, Emmanuel said he serves the Federal Government as
a Peer Reviewer and Judge with the United States Federal Department of
Education for the School-Based Mental Health Services (SBMH) and Mental Health
Services Professional Demonstration (MHSP) grant programs.
His role highlights his expertise and commitment to
advancing mental health services across all educational institutions to impacts
young people in America.
Emmanuel’s further involvement with the American Foundation
for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) in Ohio State demonstrates his dedication to this
cause.
He actively contributes to three AFSP State Board
committees: the Walk Committee, the Advocacy Committee, and the Education
Committee. His efforts have significantly advanced suicide prevention
initiatives and mental health education, earning him numerous awards, including
Advocate of the Year in Ohio State at the Annual Mental Health First Aid Summit
in 2023.
Reflecting on these honor, Emmanuel stated, “Receiving these
honorary Doctorate Honors is not just a recognition of my past efforts but a
catalyst for future impact. It reinforces my commitment to mental health
advocacy and suicide prevention, and I am inspired to collaborate with young
champions and survivors to create a supportive environment for all to rise.”
Emmanuel’s research proposal and paper presentation through
the Cleveland Humanities Collaborative partnered with Case Western Reserve
University, USA, on “Fostering Mental Health Awareness and Preventing Social
Misconducts among Adolescents and Youths- using a multifaceted approach,”
emphasizes the critical importance of mental health awareness and innovative
approaches to prevent adolescent and youth suicide.
His initiatives, such as the R.I.S.E Global Voices
Organization, aim to address these issues by promoting resilience, inclusion,
self-care, and empowerment among adolescents and youth.
His vision includes launching a social networking platform
to connect young champions/survivors of different traumatic experiences across
the world, training and supporting them to help others struggling in silence.
Futhermore, part of his vision for the future includes
launching collaborative projects with local and international human services
agencies, leveraging his role and recognition to foster global partnerships
aimed at tackling mental health challenges. His dedication to this cause and
his innovative approaches continue to inspire hope and resilience in young
people worldwide.
By Demola Akinyemi, Ilorin