The Managing Director of New Horizons Nigeria, Mr Tim Akano, has offered a lifetime employment to a visually impaired member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Olayinka Akinbiyi.
The lifetime employment was part of New Horizons’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards transforming Nigeria into a more inclusive society where physically challenged individuals are given equal opportunities.
The Guardian learnt that Akinbiyi lost her sight completely at the age of two to measles and also her mother at birth. Despite these challenges, she remained determined and worked hard to complete her education, earning a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of Benin in 2024. She met Mr Akano during his (Akano’s) courtesy visit to the new NYSC state coordinator and was deeply moved by her resilience.
As part of his commitment to empowering individuals through technology, he decided to support Akinbiyi by providing her with ICT skills. New Horizons, an Information Communication Technology (ICT) institute, awards over 20,000 ICT scholarships to students yearly, some of which cover 100 per cent of tuition. This initiative has been ongoing for the past 15 years.
The organisation is currently providing Akinbiyi with essential ICT skills, with plans to transfer her to a visually impaired school in Oshodi to train the student with the skills she has learnt.
The company will not only provide the school with necessary resources but will also pay Olayinka’s salary for the rest of her life. Similarly, the Tim Akano Foundation (TAF), recently launched by Mr Akano, has embarked on several projects.
One of the projects was the renovation of Baptist Day School, Oluponna, which was the primary school Mr Akano attended. The foundation provided the school with a borehole, secured fence and writing materials.
Each of the 300 students also received a pair of uniforms. Furthermore, the TAF also established NYSC+ (PLUS), a scheme designed to mentor selected corps members from the time they arrive at the NYSC camp through their one-year mandatory service.
The programme assists them in securing quality jobs or gaining university admission for further studies after their service year.In 2024, Akano personally mentored 10 NYSC corps members, and all have since been gainfully employed.
The scheme aims to groom the next generation of Nigerian leaders by equipping them with quality skills, the right vision, strong leadership traits, and a deep love for their country.
