Hamzat B. Lawal Steps Down as Chief Executive of Connected Development
Maryam Aminu
In an inspiring Children’s Day gesture, Hamzat B. Lawal, Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE), temporarily stepped aside to make way for 13-year-old Esther Chinemerem Ezeifeka to take the reins of the organization as one-day CEO. The bold move served not only as a symbolic celebration of youth potential but also as a powerful call to action for greater investment in the leadership and wellbeing of Nigeria’s children.
Lawal described the initiative as a deliberate effort to ignite leadership aspirations in young people by giving them a taste of real responsibility. “Today, we don’t just celebrate children we empower them to lead, to dream, and to shape the future,” he stated at the handover ceremony.
He used the platform to spotlight Nigeria’s education crisis, highlighting the alarming figure of nearly 20 million children out of school. “This is totally unacceptable. We all have a role to play in reversing this trend, especially by working closely with traditional and religious institutions, parents, and teachers,” Lawal emphasized.
Reflecting on successes from a three-year campaign in Adamawa State, Lawal pointed to declining rates of early child marriage and street hawking as evidence of what community-driven initiatives can achieve.
In her role as one-day CEO, Esther Ezeifeka captivated the audience with a speech titled “Enhancing the Total Wellbeing of Children Through Quality Education and Skill Development.”
She stressed that children are not just passive beneficiaries but active contributors to Nigeria’s present and future.
“Children are not just the future we are the present,” Esther declared. “Across Nigeria, many children still lack access to quality education or the skills needed to thrive in today’s world.”
She applauded CODE’s efforts through the Power of Voices Partnership (PVP), supported by Oxfam in Nigeria, which has established nearly 200 civic clubs in six states to foster environmental awareness and civic participation among youth.
Esther also highlighted the Girl-Child Education Project (GEP) in Bauchi State, backed by the Malala Fund, which targets systemic barriers to girls’ education, including poverty, harmful gender norms, and mismanagement in the education sector.
“Skill development is just as essential as academic learning,” she asserted. “Whether it’s coding, speaking confidently, or running a small business, skills give us the power to break cycles of poverty and build the future we deserve.”
Calling for a unified effort from government, communities, and development partners, Esther urged greater investments in children’s holistic wellbeing from education and mental health to safety and personal growth.
“When we invest in children, we’re not just preparing for the future we’re building it right now,” she concluded.
