11-year-old Nigerian wows 200 global delegates at the Education for Justice in Austria

Children have a voice that is often overlooked but when close attention is paid to them, the world would realise the wealth of wisdom that resides in these little humans.

After an outstanding performance in a debate on “How to combat corruption in Nigeria,” 11-year -old Naomi Oloyede was selected by NGO Step Up For Social Development and Empowerment in Nigeria in collaboration with United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to represent the country at a High-Level conference in Vienna, Austria, Pulse Ng reports.

Oloyede, a Junior High Student, was made an ambassador of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in her school, The Battle Axe Academy, Lugbe, Abuja. The honour was conferred on her at the inauguration of integrity club in the school.

Oloyede spoke at “The Education for Justice (E4J), High Level conference on Corruption” last week and her speech received a standing ovation by over 200 global stakeholders from both the education and justice sectors.

Mrs Comfort Oloyede, Naomi’s mother and chaperone for the trip says, “the event allowed policy makers from Ministries of Education and Justice, educators and academia, to build bridges and propose innovative ways to empower the future generation of change makers.”

As a representative for children at the conference focusing on Education for the Rule of Law, Naomi said the conference sought ways young ones could contribute their quota to society by being law abiding which would in turn secure them a peaceful and fruitful future.

Speaking to Pulse Naomi said, “The event is organised by the United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC). The speech I gave attracted a standing ovation from everybody there. I was proud of myself and my country, Nigeria, which I represented.”

She took advantage of the opportunity given her to urge the leaders and policymakers to make the world a better, safer and more inclusive place for children.

“I said the future of the children and the youth are in the hands of policy makers. I added that the youth ought to join hands together to make the world a better place to stay in the future.”

She also believes when the Rule of Law is recognized, the world could be corruption-free.

“We want to grow up in a place where there is peace and where the rule of law is respected,” she added.