Serving as youth council member for the City of Morden is another exciting step in the journey for Aqeelah Daibu.
Her family just moved here from Nigeria a year and a half ago, and it is not surprising to the Grade 11 student that she would get involved in the community.
“I think it all starts when I was young because I remember, growing up, my parents used to take me and my siblings to orphanage homes … places where we could help people who were facing challenges. I think that is where it came from,” said Daibu.
During her term as youth council member, she will participate in each council meeting and have an opportunity to report anything from school and student activities to whatever priorities and ideas she has to offer to council.
“One of the things that made me go for the youth council position is because I understand the importance of speaking up and representing the youth and other voices,” Daibu said. “I felt joining the council would be a good opportunity for me to do that.”
She also wants to bring the perspective of being a newcomer to the community to the council table.
“One of the things I hope to contribute as the youth council member is to show how diverse the youth are in Morden,” said Daibu, who noted there are so many youth here from so many different places around the world now.
“I want to use the youth council member as an opportunity to show and represent that diversity,” she said, noting one idea she has is to have a cultural day at Morden Collegiate where “the students of the school could dress up in whatever cultural attire … that would be to showcase where they come from in the world.”
Mayor Nancy Penner observed council has been fortunate to have a remarkable selection of youth council members in recent years.
“We have had very dedicated, engaged and interested candidates to be the youth rep on council,” she said. “This year is no different. She attended our meeting in December, and I think she was very pleased to be part of the team.”
Penner appreciates that Daibu represents the diversity of the community today.
“She comes so highly qualified in terms of her involvement not only in school but in the broader community, so we’re very pleased to have her on council,” the mayor said, noting Daibu is not only involved on student council but also with the Youth in Philanthropy group. “She is such a well rounded student and involved in volunteering … it just shows her commitment to being involved in the community.”
Penner is absolutely sold on the value of having a youth council member.
“It keeps council in the loop with what’s happening with youth in our community. She provides feedback with what’s happening in the school,” she said. “It’s a valuable opportunity for council.”
