MEET THE SIX NIGERIAN FUTURE LEADERS CONNECT WINNERS (2017)

MEET THE SIX NIGERIAN FUTURE LEADERS CONNECT WINNERS (2017)

It is your opportunity to influence the world by appropriate policy making.

Future Leaders Connect is an opportunity provided by the British council for youths between the age ranges of 18 to 35. Applicants are selected based on their potential to become emerging leaders in their country. They should demonstrate enough capability and influence in the areas of politics and government policy. Future leaders connect winners are youths that demonstrate the tendency to be the next players of global policy making in years to come. If you see yourself as a future leader with an understanding and passion for global issues and policy.  This is your opportunity!

As a participant, you will have the chance to discuss some of the biggest global policy issues in the Houses of Parliament in London, develop your leadership skills, learn from inspirational policy leaders and make positive policy change in your country and beyond.

 Six winners emerged from Nigeria in 2017 and was at the Future Leaders Connect programme in the UK. These are now members of the Future Leaders Connect Alumni.

During October 2017, 50 Future Leaders Connect members all met in the UK for nine days of activities. Members travelled from Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Tunisia, USA and across the UK to be a part of the global network of emerging policy leaders.  

1. Hauwa Liman (Youth unemployment)

Founder, IMPACT NIGERIA PROJECT.

Hauwa Liman is the founder of the IMPACT NIGERIA PROJECT.  She hails from Daura Local Government Area of Katsina State. She went to the Federal Government Girls College, Bakori for her secondary Education and proceeded to Bayero University, Kano to study Economics and sDevelopment Studies

She is a staff of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) with astute entrepreneurial passion. Hauwa Liman has an inspiring platform for youth empowerment and mentorship.  

She assists youths in realizing their potential and contribute significantly to community development.  She show them how to leverage on networking, teamwork and participation in volunteering activities. 

Hauwa Liman dream of the kind of future youths that are able to embrace entrepreneurship early enough and reduce the rate of unemployment in Nigeria. She initiates “AFRIK ABAYA” fashion Brand; an Afican style of the traditional apparel of the Arabs including Kaftans and Kaftan tops. She use her initiative to infuse African fabrics and fashion accessories to give the brand an image of Africa. She also a beneficiary of the Tony Elumelu Foundation Enterpreneurship programme.

2. Olaoluwa Abagun (Gender equality)

Founder, Girls Pride Circle Initiative

Olaoluwa Abagun holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB.) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. She fondly refer to herself as an “unapologetic feminist” and a vocal girls’ rights advocate. She is the founder of the Girl Pride Circle Initiative, a pro-girl NGO based in Nigeria. Her first leadership advocacy experience was at the age of 13 where she feature as Senator in the Nigerian Children’s Parliament. Her organization advocates for girls’ rights and empowers them to develop their communities. Her vision is to see a “Feminist world” where everyone has an equal opportunities socially, politically and economically without gender bias.

Abagun promise to play her role tediously to achieve gender equality in Nigeria with particular focus on education, economic empowerment and political participation,

During her undergraduate days, she volunteered for two years at the Talent Management Unit of AIESEC in Nigeria and Panama. The art of writing to her is an ideal way to communicate and impact in a clear and narrative manner.  Her essay entitled “Policies on the Empowerment of Young Women in Africa: The Missing Piece in the African Jigsaw,” was a 2014 finalist in the Africa Youth Day Essay Competition, hosted by the African Union Commission.

While serving as a youth corps member in Lagos she represented Nigeria at the 72nd session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. She spoke at the H6 event alongside the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and UN Women Deputy Executive Director. The H6 is a synergy events that comprise the UNAIDS, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN WOMEN, WHO and The World Bank for actions on Sexual Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (SRMNCAH).

3. Oladotun Olatunji (Tackling poverty and hunger)

Business Analyst, Mobile Money & Special Projects (Digital Channels)

Oladotun Olatunji is an experienced digital finance and innovation specialist.  His tertiary education started from the Polytechnic Ibadan where he studied Statistics. He then proceeded for his First degree in Geology at the University of Ibadan. He holds MSc degree in Sustainable Development from the University of St Andrews, United Kingdom and MBA in Innovation Management at École des Ponts Business School in France.

He dreams of a time when there is collective effort by all global stakeholders, through result-driven actions, in the implementation of pro-poor policies which the poor become economically active, enable generation of sustainable income for households through agriculture and enhance accessibility to quality food.

He is an experienced digital finance innovation specialist with broad experience in digital strategy, digital project implementation and product management.
He specializes on innovation management, data analysis, financial modelling, functional specification documentation and business model design.

He also managed digital project implementation and financial service innovation for leading financial institutions and international development organizations.

His recent successes include the implementation and management of social welfare projects for the following clients; World Health Organization (mobile payment for immunization officers), Save The Children (Child Development Grant Program in Northern Nigeria), FG National Cash Transfer Office (Social Welfare payment scheme), Mercy Corps (STEER Cash Transfer for the most vulnerable in 5 states in Northern Nigeria)

Olatunji believes that successful policy-making would alleviate poverty and greatly reduce food insecurity. He expressed plans to implement a proof-of-concept and influence the Federal and States Governments to implement same or similar models, thereby, creating a ripple effect for smallholder farmers across the nation.

4. Blessing Omakwu (Gender equality)

Policy Consultant/Blogger

Blessing Omakwu, Esq. works as a Policy Consultant. She has completed projects for The Presidency, The Nigerian Permanent Mission to the UN, The National Planning Commission, The National Human Rights Commission and UNDP Nigeria. She also runs a blog where she explores the intersection of gender equality with public policy, popular culture, religion and literature. Her global vision for change is ‘A world where gender equality is achieved and women’s rights are upheld’. 

She had received humbling honors like the USA’s National Association of Women Lawyers Outstanding Law Graduate Award was selected as a British Council Future Leader. She had incredible experiences like coordinating post-conflict humanitarian relief for women and children in South Sudan. 

Seun Tuyo (Malaria prevention and eradication)

Research Manager, Kantar TNS

Seun holds Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical and electronics) at the Ambrose Alli University and Masters of Science in Mobile Telecommunications Management at the University of South Wales. As certified Project Management Professional, she is admired for her leadership capacities in delivering excellent community services.

Recently, under her leadership as CSR Lead for Kantar Nigeria, the business contributed to tackling malaria in its host communities to mark World Malaria Day, 25th of April, 2017 touching over 300 lives. 

According to Tuyo, through stakeholders’ commitment and buy-ins, she hopes to ensure that all malaria control interventions continue to reach the public in an equitable and consistent manner so as to contribute greatly to the eradication of malaria.

Her vision is to create communities whose citizens shall live healthy, happy and productive lives, free from the devastating effects of malaria.

Nwamaka Ogbonna (Industrialisation and job creation)

Researcher, Tony Elumelu Foundation

Nwamaka Chidera Ogbonna studied Economics at the Kwame Nkrumah University with First Class Honours. She holds masters of Science in development Economics at the London School of Economics. She works as a researcher at the Tony Elumelu Foundation focusing on entrepreneurship and private sector development.

Nwamaka is passionate about the structural transformation of African economies given the development deficit between Africa and the world. 

Nwamaka runs a blog where she discusses policy, political and economic issues and volunteers as a Writer for Stears News, providing commentary on the Nigerian economy. She resides in Lagos, Nigeria

 Ogbonna is passionate about the structural transformation of African economies, given the development deficit between Africa and the world.

With adequate buy in from key stakeholders, she plans to revamp the manufacturing industry by making conscious efforts to facilitate collaboration between the public and private sector.

She also wish that investments are made into developing the capabilities of those implementing the industrial policy in both the public and private sector.

Do you have a scholarship, fellowship, grant, boot camp or any other opportunity you want to apply for today? 

CALL: +2349037887718, send  email to topstudentsng@gmail.com or  Fill this Form now

We have eager team of professionals who are willing to assist you with the application process.

If you have questions or need further help, please do well to contact us TODAY (topstudentsng@gmail.com or +2349037887718