JAMIL Baba is hoping the skills he gains from the John Curtin Leadership Academy will help him when he returns to Nigeria.
The St James resident and postgraduate geology student is among the Curtin University students who will take part in the academy during Semester 1.
Mr Baba will volunteer for On My Feet, an organisation that provides running programs for people dealing with homelessness.
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READ NOWMr Baba said he heard good things about the leadership academy from a friend at the university.
“My friend told me it was good for building leadership skills and experience, which I wanted both in my professional life and to help my community,” he said.
“We were at a camp when the organisations pitched for us and I thought On My Feet was the right choice because it has close contact with the community.
“There are issues in Nigeria about homelessness and unemployment so that is primarily my reason for choosing to work with this organisation.”
Mr Baba said his role would be to encourage more participants to take part in the program.
“We run a number of sessions each week and we’ll be encouraging the homeless or unemployed to become more physically and mentally fit,” he said.
“If they are physically fit it can help them find employment, it’s not about giving them the skills but about giving them the right attitude.
“The program is a wonderful chance for me to expand my networks and help meet the challenges when I go back to my hometown of Bauchi in Nigeria.”