UN peace envoy awards scholarships to 30 Lagos students, launches innovation hub

Peace ambassador of the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), United Nations Peace Volunteers, Ambassador Dr Lilian Ajayi-Ore, has awarded scholarships to 30 students of Holy Child College, South-West, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Ajayi Ore who also is Founder, Global Connection For Women Foundation (GC4W) also placed the institution on global limelight as she unveiled the GC4W leadership and innovation hub in the school after renovating a hall to international standard and artificial intelligence compliance. The hub added two smart televisions, Meta Glasses, Amazon Alexa and 10 computers.

 

According to a statement on Thursday, Ajayi-Ore said giving out scholarships is her family’s legacy as her brother, Sean Ajayi of the Sean & Tarra Ajayi Foundations has also been giving out scholarships.

 

She canvassed support and incentives for students to advance in their academic pursuit.

 

She said: “My organization has always provided scholarships. We gave 30 students who are part of the GC4W Leadership and Innovation Hub scholarship as well. And I’m so grateful that my brother is doing that. We grew up in a household where my mom always say there’s goodness in helping people. His organization is a little green, but I’m happy that he’s giving back as well.”

 

She explained that her latest book, The Power of the Learning Mindset, co-authored with Marshall Goldsmith and launched during the ceremony, is especially timely. At a moment when learning is often deprioritized, the book serves as a powerful reminder that learning is not just about acquiring skills—it is an opportunity to reimagine possibilities and actively transform one’s future.

 

She emphasized that learning is the starting point of making the impossible possible.

 

According to her, the book centers on the concept of the learning mindset, structured around three core pillars. The first is Willingness, which is explored in the section on the learning journey, referred to as learning prowess. She explained that the second pillar is Intentionality, which focuses on leadership prowess, while the final pillar is Nurturing, described as coaching prowess—the aspect of the framework that emphasizes care, growth, and development.

 

She noted that the intention of the book is to encourage young leaders and executives to look inward and critically assess the skills they need to develop, identify areas of untapped potential, and recognize opportunities to unlearn outdated behaviors, build new habits, and eliminate ineffective ones. She said the book challenges readers to ask important reflective questions such as: Am I the right person for this role? Do I have the skill set required? Am I demonstrating leadership prowess in action?

 

“This book is not just for Nigerians; it is for everyone,” she said. “The momentum around the book is already strong. Its purpose is to transform how people think about personal growth, community impact, and giving back.” She added that the book includes assessments, reflective questions, real-life examples, and guided reflection points designed to support readers through what she described as the learning prowess map. This framework helps individuals identify priorities, evaluate their current situations, cultivate a learning-oriented culture within their organizations, and ensure that learning remains top of mind in business and leadership practices.

 

Speaking on why she unveiled the Leadership and Innovation Hub at the school, Ajayi-Ore said the decision was driven by three key reasons. “First, I wanted to give back to a school that played a foundational role in my life. Although I was a Holy Child student for just one term and I was just ten years old when my mother who was on exile because of her involvement in the June 12, 1993 struggle in Nigeria took my siblings and I to the United States,the impression this institution left on me helped shape who I am today,” she said.

 

Speaking at the event, Ajayi-Ore’s mother, Hrh Queen Mother Ambassador Amina Temitope Labinjo Ajayi, emphasized the importance of giving back to society and one’s alma mater. She encouraged members of the diaspora to support educational development through scholarships, infrastructure improvements, and other investments that raise academic standards.

 

She described their philanthropic efforts as aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. “I am proud of what my daughter has accomplished,” she said. “Giving back is a value we have passed on. She has done this work consistently for over ten years in the United States and various parts of the world, and now she is doing the same at home.”

 

She added that empowering people and uplifting communities remains her core mission, noting that true impact lies in service and long-term societal development.

 

The Director of Education, Catholic Archdiocese of Lagos, Msgr. Jerome Oduntan, who represented His Grace, Archbishop Alfred Martin, commended Ajayi Ore for her philanthropy and investment in education, emphasizing the importance of quality education for societal advancement.

 

Similarly, the Administrator of Holy Child College, Rev. Sister Christiana Olagunju, praised Ajayi Ore’s contribution, describing it as unique and overwhelming. She noted that while alumni groups have supported the school in the past, Ajayi Ore’s singular investment stood out.

 

“To God be the glory,” she said. “This facility will benefit not only our students but also guests and partners locally and internationally. It broadens the students’ perspectives and positions them as global learners. This would not have been possible without God’s guidance through Ambassador Dr. Lilian Ajayi-Ore.”

 

The beneficiaries of the scholarship expressed happiness and thanked Ajayi-Ore for her magnanimity.

 

One of them, Miss Francis Osude said: “ I feel really happy and honour for the scholarship. It will help me further my education and ambition of becoming a software engineer. I thank her very much for it.”