Shakirudeen Abdulsalam

Developing dynamic, innovative and principled African leaders 9th October 2018 To Whom It May Concern, Dear Sir/Madam, LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION It is with great pleasure that I write to recommend Shakirudeen Abdulsalam to your organization. Shakirudeen is an alumnus of LEAP Africa’s iLEAD Fellowship in Akwa Ibom State in partnership with Ford Foundation. The programme aims at equipping select dynamic graduate youth who have demonstrated passion for social development with the knowledge, skills and experience to become change leaders in their communities and key contributors to the development sector. For one-year Shakirudeen coordinated a cohort of 30 underserved students in Mary Hanney Secondary School, Oron, Akwa Ibom State. He facilitated LEAP’s leadership and life curriculum weekly, and through his guidance and mentorship, these students have improved self-confidence, developed vision boards for themselves, mapped out goals for their lives, and are standing out in their conduct, character and academics. Following his guidance, these students are currently working on implementing a physical project in their community. This he did voluntarily in addition to his primary assignment of teaching. The iLEAD students, who are from low socioeconomic backgrounds, would not have the opportunity to access leadership and life trainings but for the contributions of fellows like Shakirudeen. As part of his fellowship, Shakirudeen underwent diverse trainings in life and leadership skills and in fundamental skills such as programme design and management required to effectively contribute to the development sector. Furthermore, as part of his fellowship, he underwent a five-month mentorship with a top professional in the non-profit sector in Akwa-Ibom state to further his personal and professional development. He also interned at Start Innovation Hub, a credible ICT social enterprise in Akwa Ibom State where he gained valid skills relevant to ICT and development sector. Through these learning opportunities Shakirudeen is growing in character, knowledge and in his depth of understanding of social issues. Shakirudeen is passionate about equipping students with life, leadership and entrepreneurship skills. This led him into setting up a club called REAL club where he trained students on life and leadership skills and ran a skill acquisition programme while in the school. Shakirudeen has clearly demonstrated his commitment to developing the nation. Therefore, I highly recommend Shakirudeen and I am confident that he will be a great asset to your organization. For enquiries, please feel free to contact me via email at- Yours Sincerely, For: LEAP Africa Ltd/Gte. Yewande Apatira Programme Coordinator LEAP Africa 13 Omorinre Johnson Street, off Admiralty Way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos P .O. Box 75427 Tel:-,-, www.leapafrica.org