On May 15th, the African Studies Center and Global Youth Advancement Network co-hosted Senator Osita B. Izunaso for a presentation and discussion on “Championing the Global Causes of Dignity, Well-being and Opportunity for Persons with Disabilities.”

Osita B. Izunaso is the current Senator for the Imo West (Orlu) constituency of Imo State, Nigeria, taking office in June 2023. He currently chairs the Capital Market Committee of the Nigerian Senate and is a former board chair of the Nigerian Automotive Design and Development Council, and served the Senate Rules and Business, Local and Foreign Debts, Housing, Gas, Foreign Affairs and Sports committees.  For nearly two decades, his self-funded nonprofit, Kpakpando Foundation, has championed the causes of dignity, well-being and opportunity for thousands of persons with disabilities, providing them much-needed assistance.
 

Senator Izunaso holds academic degrees in Law and Journalism, and an MBA. He was recently recognized by President Joe Biden for his efforts in improving the lives of people with disabilities. Senator Izunaso traveled to Michigan with a contingency of Nigerian-Americans with ties both to Michigan and to the Senator’s district in Nigeria.

Senator’s Izunaso’s public presentation took place in the International Center and was followed by a shared meal from Social Sloth Cafe.

 

While at MSU, GYAN facilitated several meetings for the Senator, one of which was between the Senator, GYAN, the African Studies Center, and the Alliance for African Partnership. This meeting was an opportunity to brainstorm possible future collaborations between MSU and Senator Izunaso’s area of responsibility, such as a Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) fellowship between MSU faculty and faculty from one of the universities in the Senator’s district.


 

Other proposed collaboration ideas included a potential exchange program or scholarship opportunities for students living with disabilities, both in the U.S. and and Nigeria, the teaching of the Igbo language at MSU, and resources for disability inclusion capacity building for faculty and staff. 

GYAN was thrilled to co-host Senator Izunaso’s visit to MSU, and looks forward to continuing our collaborations!