History is already in the making following the nomination of a young Nigerian Diasporan, Zuriel Oduwole, for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. What remains now is for her efforts to be crowned with glory. Uriel is an advocate for peace, education, and gender equality. She has carved a niche for herself by actively engaging in global diplomatic efforts, influencing discussions on education and peace, working to create opportunities for marginalised communities as well as promoting meaningful change.

Born in Los Angeles to Nigerian grandparents, Zuriel Oduwole has engaged with several world leaders, including presidents and prime ministers, to discuss policy and development issues. Her efforts focus on improving education access for marginalised communities and promoting systemic change.

It is on record that at 13, the precocious Zuriel had mediated a territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, meeting with the former President David Granger at the United Nations to emphasise the importance of peaceful dialogue. In 2020, she interfaced with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on global peace strategies during the Arab blockade of Qatar, leading to a peaceful resolution a year later.

A press statement announcing her nomination noted that Oduwole?s choice was in recognition of her relentless efforts and a reflection of Nigeria?s growing influence on the global stage.

?Her advocacy for education, which she views as fundamental to both development and stability, has been central to her mission from an early age.

?Oduwole?s commitment to education began at nine when she observed young girls in Accra selling goods instead of attending school. This experience inspired her to use documentary filmmaking to raise awareness about educational barriers.

?Regardless of the outcome, Oduwole?s nomination underscores the growing impact of youth advocacy in global policy and sustainable peace efforts,? the statement noted.

Upon learning of her nomination, Zuriel who is also a filmmaker, that seeks more investments in young girls, said, ?I have never sought recognition, only to speak up where it is needed. This honour reflects the urgent need to invest in young voices as agents of change.?

Zuriel is a founder of pet project known as ?Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand,? that is committed to empowering young people, particularly girls, to advocate their rights and future opportunities. Also noteworthy is her use of storytelling and diplomacy to inspire change, influencing policies as well as creating a more inclusive and equitable world. The Norwegian Nobel Committee (NNC) is expected to confirm and announce the 2025 winners later this year.

The Nobel Peace Prize, one of the world?s most esteemed honours, acknowledges individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to peace and human rights.

The prospect of Zuriel becoming a laureate at her young age is bright when viewed against the recognition accorded the Pakistani teenager, Malala Yousafzai, who won the 2014 prize at just 17, for championing the same cause. She almost paid with life when the Islamic Taliban movement took control of her area in 2008, where girls? schools were completely razed down. She was shot in the head on a school bus by a Taliban gunman in 2012. However, she survived the brutal attack and had to flee to England to escape a fatwa issued against her.

By this recognition from the NNC, Zuriel has joined the pantheon of Nigerians in the Diaspora who have made their marks in various fields across the globe. Notable among them are Barr. Kaycee Madu, the Nigerian-born Canadian who is the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta, Canada. He was elected to the position in August 2020, having been previously elected to the Legislative Assembly of Alberta in 2019 representing the electoral district of Edmonton-South West.

Adewale Adeyemo became the US Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. He was previously the Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council under former President Barack Obama. He was also the first President of the Obama Foundation.

Oye Owolewa was elected as the shadow representative of the US House of Representatives from the District of Columbia in November 2020. The posts of shadow congresspersons are held by elected or appointed government officials from subnational polities of the US, but they lack congressional vote.

Ernest Ezeajughi became the first black Mayor of London Borough of Brent in the United Kingdom. He was elected councillor for the Stonebridge ward in May 2014 and was re-elected in May 2018.

Chi Onwurah has a Nigerian father and British mother. Onwurah has served as the Member of Parliament for Newcastle upon Tyne Central in the United Kingdom since 2010. On April 9, 2020, she was appointed as shadow minister for Science, Research and Digital. Before then, Onwurah served as shadow minister for Industrial Strategy, Science and Innovation under Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Helen Grant was appointed as the Special Envoy of the former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Girls? Education in January 2021. She was the first black woman of mixed heritage to be elected as a Conservative Member of Parliament for Maidstone and The Weald.

Kate Osamor is a Nigerian-British politician who had served as Member of Parliament for Edmonton beginning from 2015. In 2014, she was elected a member of the National Executive Committee of the UK Labour Party. She was previously appointed as Shadow Secretary of State for International Development by Jeremy Corbyn in June 2016.

Blueprint joins millions of Nigerians at home and abroad in congratulating Zuriel for her nomination and looks forward to her being confirmed and crowned as a laureate to make Nigeria proud as a second winner of the global honour after Prof. Wole Soyinka in 1986. (Blueprint Editorial)

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