BIMUN Marks Decade Of Impact, Advocates Stronger Youth Engagement In Sustainable Development
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Young people have been called to take greater responsibility in peace-building and sustainable development as more than 450 delegates from 22 countries gathered for the 10th session of the Babcock International Model United Nations (BIMUN), themed “Better Together: A Decade of BIMUN Advancing the United Nations’ Vision for Peace, Development and Human Rights.”
Declaring the session open, Babcock University President/Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Afolarin Ojewole, described BIMUN as a bridge for peace-building and sustainable development.
He urged delegates to uphold integrity and values in leadership, saying, “Every generation has its defining moments. I believe this is yours. Build bridges where others erect barriers. Leadership is not measured by the volume of one’s voice, but by the quality of vision, strength of character, and willingness to serve.”
Representing the UN Resident Coordinator, Peace & Development Officer, Ms. Kehinde Osotimehin emphasised that global challenges such as conflict, climate change, inequality, poverty, and misinformation cannot be solved by one country or person.
She reminded delegates: “You are not just leaders of tomorrow. You are the leaders of today.”
Citing UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security, she urged participants to take lessons of dialogue and respect back to their communities.
She reinforced the theme’s relevance, noting that the UN has supported BIMUN for the past decade.
“The future of peace will be shaped here at Babcock by young people who choose cooperation over conflict. Argue with passion. Negotiate with respect. The true measure of diplomacy is not who wins the debate, but what the world gains from it,” she said.
A keynote interaction with Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, highlighted education as a tool for unity and sustainable development.
He encouraged delegates to become change-makers, stressing that leadership must be measured by impact, accountability, and service: “Leaders must learn to listen. Leadership is not about speeches, but impact — how people feel. We must work together as a family to stop abuses of human rights and ensure development reaches everybody.”
BIMUN founder and strategist, Samuel Chiemela reflected on the conference’s impact, noting that over 6,450 alumni from 21 countries have participated since inception, many now serving in government, civil society, and international organizations.
“If delegates leave more capable and committed to sustainable development than before, we have done our part,” he affirmed.
An alumnus of Babcock University where he studied History and International Relations, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Defense and Strategic Studies from the Nigerian Defense Academy, Chiemela says, “Our goal for BIMUN26 led by the Assembly’s President, Oluomachukwu Okoli, is to give our delegates a serious, structured environment where they learn how diplomacy actually works — how positions are researched, how consensus is negotiated, and how policy gets written under pressure.
“This year we brought delegates from across 21 countries into the same committee structures used at the United Nations.”About BIMUN Babcock International Model United Nations (BIMUN) is Nigeria’s first private university organised MUN conference.
“Over the past decade, it has provided a platform for young Africans to develop leadership, negotiation, and diplomatic skills through simulations of United Nations processes, preparing them to become global leaders and advocates for peace.”
