Folasade Adefisayo, the immediate past commissioner of education in Lagos State, has applauded Edutimes Africa, a magazine with a focus on education development.
Adefisayo, one of three recently appointed members of EduTimes Africa’s editorial board, gave the commendation during the magazine’s first-anniversary ceremony.
“Congratulations to Dapo Akande and his team. I am pleased to celebrate with them on this first anniversary of the birth of the Edutimes Africa magazine, a magazine that has rapidly become one of the most important publications in the education sector in the country and across Africa.
“The critical role of education cannot be overemphasised, and the magazine is swiftly becoming the voice and advocate for the education sector in Nigeria.
“It has been quite a year of publishing a high-quality educational journal that has informed, educated, and updated the public about the education sector. This is a sorely needed magazine that will change mindsets and get the public thinking critically, engaging in an informed manner and proffering ideas and suggestions for the upgrade of education.
Like many others, I look forward to even more enlightening articles in the future and as a member of the newly inaugurated editorial board, I look forward to being a part of this laudable project going forward,” she said.
Femi Sunmonu, co-founder of Femi Sunmonu & Associates and Africa Chair of Aliant Law, an international law firm with branches in 21 countries across the globe and a highly regarded academic in the diaspora, and Abraham A.O who is currently a DBA Doctoral Supervisor for Universidad Catolica San Antonio de Murcia, Spain, and a Board Advisor of other institutions, are the other two members of the new editorial board.
Adebiyi Oke, Oladapo Akande, and Kammonke Abam, founders of EduTimes Africa, said when they launched the maiden edition of their education-focused monthly E-magazine a year ago, it felt like a launch into the deep.
“Our vision was to introduce a free education-based magazine with Africa in focus that would ‘capture’ everything educational, from academics to long-neglected technical education, from sports to creative arts; from mental health to teenage counselling, health counselling, and career counselling.
“Thankfully, we have enjoyed the buy-in of many experts, specialists, and even ordinary folks across Africa and beyond who have continued to contribute by way of highly enlightening interviews and insightful articles, joining us in our quest to inform, educate, and inspire the continent, is our in-house motto.
So this ‘deep’ was not one of uncertainty after all, but one which the founders were sure was plentiful,” Akande said.
According to the founders, EduTimes Africa is fashioned to have something for everybody.
Akande, the chief executive officer of the magazine, described the three new editorial board members as having this trio of high achievers on the editorial board to guide the management team, and according to him, “that can only mean one thing: success.”
Nader Imani, vice president of world leader Festo Didactic and recently appointed Private Sector Advisor to the European Union, who is a close associate of the publication, also had this to say: “EduTimes has truly set a benchmark in spreading ideas and promoting quality education.
“It addresses a critical social issue by highlighting the importance of education as a catalyst for African economies. Africa’s future is inextricably linked to the availability of a skilled workforce, and this can only be achieved through lifelong learning and access to quality education for all.
“I am pleased to be one of the supporters of EduTimes Africa and believe that a partnership brokerage will foster collaboration and synergy among various stakeholders for best practices invested in building a stronger Africa,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the three International Bureau Chiefs appointed in November last year Dr. Genevieve Pearl Duncan Obuobi, listed as one of the 100 most impactful change-makers in Africa by Humanitarian Awards Global 2023 and listed amongst the 40 most influential female leaders in Ghana in 2020, explained why she could not resist the call to join the EduTimes Africa team.
“As a lifelong learner and a leading torchbearer for African women and youth, contributing my quota to anything that impacts knowledge and lives of people and communities triggers my passion. Edutimes Africa is one key magazine across the continent that is keen on sharing lessons and insights across the continent of Africa on Education and other topical SDGs.
“As such, I was elated when asked to become the International Bureau Chief for the West African region.” Adebiyi Oke, publisher of the publication also remarked, “One year later, it feels like just a week has passed! Our team is fulfilled by the achievements of the past 12 months and looks forward to the upcoming year.
“We’ve laid foundations for impactful policy contributions, focusing on addressing the issue of out-of-school children and integrating Sustainable Development Goals into school curricula, aligning with diverse African communities’ cultures. Encouraged by the partnerships established in 2023 and upcoming collaborations in 2024, we are confident that we will exceed our targets.”
