BIOGRAPHY OF HON. REMY CHIDI CHUKWUNYERE

It is our pleasure to bring to you the making of this emerging young leader of our

generation, Hon. Remy Chidi Chukwunyere, who hails from Ohaji/Egbema Local

Government Area of Imo State of Nigeria.

Early childhood days

As the only son and last child of his parents, his birth on December 12, 1975 was

heralded with great celebrations, the type that was never seen in that community.

In 1981, he started his Primary school education at the Umuokanne Central School,

where he first began his leadership career when he was appointed the first Senior

Prefect of the School between 1985 and 1986. In practical demonstration of the high

intellect God Almighty created him with, he was the only pupil from that school who

passed the First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC) in 1986 at Credit level.

Between 1987 and 1989, he completed his Junior Secondary Education at the

Umuokanne Comprehensive Secondary School. There again, his leadership qualities

found him out and he was a Class Prefect all through the Junior Classes and finally

became the School Regulator, a position he held until he left the school for the Imo

State Senior Secondary School for Science, Etiti after obtaining an excellent Junior

Secondary School Certificate in 1989.

In 1990, he got admitted into one of the best Secondary Schools in Nigeria, the

Imo State Senior Secondary School for Science, Etiti. Even though, the school was a

collection of best brains from all over the country, his determination to make a mark in

the history of this generation equally made him graduate as one of the best students of

that great college.

University days

At the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State, where he studied Industrial

Biochemistry, Hon. Remy Chukwunyere was as popular as the Vice Chancellor. As a

student’s union leader, activist and Editor of the FUTO Hotline, he was loved by all and

sundry.

While still a student, he had several work experiences from the various companies he

was attached to during his Students’ Industrial Work Experience Schemes. In 1995,

he was attached to the Operations Department of Lever Brothers Nigeria PLC (now

Unilever PLC), Apapa, Lagos for a period of three months. In 1997, he also worked with

the Shipping Department of Panalpina World Transport Nig. Ltd, Port Harcourt, Rivers

State for six months. Within this period, his leadership qualities equally manifested in

the various positions he occupied in different organizations.

Passion for development work

In 1999, during his one year National Youth Service at the Pipelines and Products

Marketing Company (a division of Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) in Kaduna,

this call to lead and serve humanity became full blown and could no longer be hidden.

There in Kaduna, in 1999, he founded a non-governmental development organization

known as the African Youth Development Foundation (AFRYDEF). With the meager

resources at his disposal as a youth corps member, he established and funded the

activities of the organization, which maintained membership strength of over fifty

young people, before he left the city after his National Youth Service coupled with the

outbreak of the Sharia crisis in 2000.

Back in Owerri, Imo State, in 2000, his foundation, AFRYDEF in collaboration with the

Committee for Advancement of Justice facilitated the training of fifty youths from

the oil producing communities of Imo State in peace building and conflict resolution

with funding from the United States Agency for International Development/Office of

Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI).

Today, AFRYDEF has grown to become an internationally recognized organization

with offices in Nigeria, South Africa and USA. With the NGO, he has impacted on the

lives of several youths, women and children through a popular project they call “Put a

Smile on Someone’s Face” and other community and youth development programs.

More information about the activities of AFRYDEF is available on its website at http://

http://www.inspireyouths.org.

Early political career

Between 2001 and 2003, he served as a Member of the Local Government Monitoring

Committee of the National Poverty Eradication Programme (NAPEP) in Ohaji/Egbema

Local Government Area of Imo State.

In 2002, his leadership potentials attracted the attention of the Imo State Government

under the administration of Governor Achike Udenwa who approved his appointment

as a Member of the Imo State Education Task Force and Chairman of the Education

Task Force in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

In 2004, he was appointed the Secretary to the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government

Council of Imo State. As the Head of the Policy Department between 2004 and 2007,

he was responsible for supervising the activities of the six departments of the Council,

viz: Works, Housing and Transport; Youth and Sports; Administration; Finance;

Agriculture and Health. In fact his contributions to the administration was what won

his boss, Chief Luke Chukwu, the Best Performed Local Government Chairman in

Nigeria, an award conferred on him by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in

2006.

As an entrepreneur and consultant

At the end of his service at the Local Government in 2007, he returned back

to AFRYDEF as well as established his first private company, Zenith Computer

Technologies, an Information Technology and computer services company based in

Owerri, Imo State. Today Zenith Computer Technologies is a one-stop computer-shop

providing such services as website development, professional training, computer

maintenance and networking, etc. Its clientele list has such big names as Imo State

House of Assembly, Owerri; Imo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission;

Imo State Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport; Imo State Ministry of Public

Utilities and Rural Development; etc.

As a development consultant, Hon. Remy Chukwunyere has consulted for the USAID/

Office of Transition Initiatives; UNESCO/Nigerian Office; Actionaid International;

Nigerian Institute of Social and Economic Research (NISER); Imo State Education

Management Board; Global Health Council; etc.

Hon. Remy Chukwunyere is an entrepreneur, a political strategist, a public speaker,

an online newspaper publisher, writer and development consultant and has spoken

in several conferences and workshops on entrepreneurship, youth development,

peace and conflict resolution, leadership development, etc. He has also contributed his

opinions in several national and international issues through print, electronic media

and internet.

A strategic planner and political strategist

As a new generation politician, Hon. Remy Chukwunyere is one of the strong men in

Ohaji/Egbema politics, who combines his strategic planning with advocacy skills to

deliver his choice candidates. Current beneficiaries of this political expertise are His

Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, the Executive Governor of Imo State and Hon.

Luke Chukwu, the member representing Ohaji/Egbema State Constituency at the Imo

State House of Assembly, Owerri.

His appointment as the Director-General, Imo State Directorate for Employment by

His Excellency, Owelle Rochas Okorocha’s administration is a well deserved one. The

Government has rightly put a square peg in a square hole. With his wide experiences in

development advocacy, youth empowerment and job creation as well as his contacts

with international development agencies, Hon. Remy Chukwunyere is taking the issues

of youth unemployment and job creation to the front burner in the State affairs.

As an innovator and an entrepreneur, he has introduced a number of job creation

programs in the agency, including the Imo Jobs Online and Unemployment Database,

Imo Jobs Fair, Graduate Enterprise Challenge, Creative Enterprise Academy, among

others in partnership with both national and international organizations in the country.

Conclusion

As an emerging leader of this generation we are convinced that Hon. Remy

Chukwunyere will do all within his reach to ameliorate the sufferings of the

unemployed in Imo State. If he could put smiles on the faces of several youths, women

and children as the Executive Director of the African Youth Development Foundation,

we believe he will transform the unemployment crisis in the State and empower Imo

youths with the skills they need to build sustainable enterprises.

Finally, Hon. Remy Chukwunyere is a dedicated Christian, a Deacon and a

philanthropist. He is married to his lovely, beautiful wife and partner, Engr. Linda

Chukwunyere and their union is blessed with three handsome boys: Remy Jnr., Favour

and Destiny.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY!

Alj. Dr. Ibrahim K. Asante

Chairman, Significant International Group (SIG) and Founder of Significant International Training Systems (SITS), Ibrahim Kwame Asante has assisted thousands of individuals, professionals and organisations such as TIENS GROUP (a Multinational Chinese Health Company with presence in over 110 countries) where he also serves as UK Advisory Board Member, to achieve long-lasting beyond imagination performance results.

He has trained, mentored and coached top business executives, insurance consultants, financial advisors, medical practitioners, politicians, ministers of religion, network marketing leaders etc worldwide in the United Kingdom, Slovakia, Italy, Ghana, Hungary, Togo, Kenya, Malaysia, France, Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland etc with the biggest audience in China having 40,000 people in attendance from over 100 countries to actualise their significant visions.

Ibrahim speaks passionately on Leadership & Governance, Sustainable Business Development, Self Development, Preventive Health, Significance, Peak Performance and Sales.

Oxford educated, International Financial Advisor, International Trainer, Human Resource Management (HR) Consultant, Peak Performance Strategist, Preventive Health Specialist, Member of the Personal Finance Society and The Chartered Insurance Institute. Ibrahim Kwame Asante also holds among other qualifications a Masters degree in International Business Management.

A firm believer of Significant ‘Leadership through Service’, Ibrahim serves as a volunteer Head of Training and Strategy for the Humanity First UK charity, and a frontline volunteer with St Luke’s Hospice charity in London touching lives positively doing what he loves.

Most significantly, he is a caring father and a loving husband.

Multi-Global Awards won & some Honours conferred on Ibrahim includes:

2014 BEFFTA SPECIAL HONORARY AWARD – BEFFTA LEADERSHIP AWARD (In view) for his outstanding contribution to the community (previous BEFFTA awards recipients include Sir Trevor McDonald OBE, Quincy Jones, Lenny Henry and more high profile personalities) – UK

2014 TIENS Europe Advisory Board Member (conferred at TIENS Europe Region Conference, Warsaw) – POLAND,

2014 WINNER, Global Ultimate Master of OPP Competition BRONZE MEDAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING, Tiens Group – RUSSIA,

2014 Oxford University Department for Continuing Education SPOTLIGHT HONOUR (Management, Business and Presentation Skills Spotlight) – UK,

2014 FINALIST, The Association of Professional Coaches, Trainers and Consultants (APCTC) OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD – UK,

2013 WINNER, Life Changers Awards (LCA) BEST PRACTICE AWARD – UK,

2013 FINALIST, Life Changers Awards (LCA) CORPORATE COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AWARD – UK,

2011 WINNER, The Gathering of Africa’s Best (GAB) AWARD OF EXCELLENCE for his outstanding contribution to the promotion of the positive image of Africa and Africans around the world through Business – UK,

2006 WINNER, Luxury CAR AWARD for his exceptional performance in Leadership, Training and Sales in the Network Marketing Industry, Tiens Group – CHINA,

2001 WINNER, The prestigious AIESEC (EuroLDS) MOST CREATIVE & INNOVATIVE DELEGATE (OSCAR) AWARD – YUGOSLAVIA,

2000 Represented AIESEC at the United Nations (UNEP/UNESCO) in Paris, FRANCE to analyse research conducted by experts on the Youth, Sustainable Consumption and Life Style – FRANCE,

1999 WINNER, The BEST COUNTRY LEADER AWARD for the AFRICA REGION of the AIESEC Planet Project on Sustainable Development. Awarded and honoured in recognition of his excellent leadership, management and organisational skills, involving Ghana in the AIESEC Planet Project and contributing to the foundation of the Global Network, Club Planet – HUNGARY, to mention a few.

————————–
SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL TRAINING SYSTEMS (SITS)

An International Business Management, Human Resources (HR) & Leadership Consultancy Services:

# International and In-house Corporate Trainings & Conference Facilitation.

# Business & Personal Peak Performance Coaching / Mentoring.

# International Conference Keynote Speakers.

# Corporate & Business Training Materials Development.

# Master of Ceremonies (Host/Compering): Awards, Book Launches, Charity Fundraising, Weddings, Corporate & Diplomatic events.

SITS CONSULTANCY SERVICES:

# Leadership & Governance Consultancy Services.

# International Business Management Consultancy Services,

# Significant Change & Advance Project Management Consultancy Services,

# Preventive Health Consultancy Services,

# Human Resource Management (HR) Consultancy Services.

—————————
Contact:
Tel:
0044 7501 844751 (UK)
00233 574 557610 (GH)

Text, Viber & Whatsapp:
0044 7575 005334 (UK)

Skype & WeChat: SIGNIFICANT71

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/pub/ibrahim-k-asante/a/187/20b
Facebook:

Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu is a Barrister at Law and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He hails from Aguluzigbo, a serene town in Anambra state in the South Eastern Part of Nigeria. He was a very bright student and distinguished himself as an erudite scholar in primary school and Secondary school after which he proceeded to the renowned University of Nigeria to obtain his Bachelor of Laws degree.
He thereafter attended the Nigerian Law School Abuja where he bagged his B.L and then was consequently called to the Nigerian Bar as a Solicitor and an Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the year 2003. Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu did his National Youth Service Corp in Zamfara state from 2003 to 2004. He did his pupillage in the law chambers of Arthur Obi Okafor (SAN) from 2004 to 2007.
In the year 2008 Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu opened his own law chambers in Awka, Anambra which has today grown to a big law firm with 2 senior partner, 7 junior attorneys and 2 litigations secretaries. Apart from securing many landmark verdicts for various clients in the highest courts of the land, Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu devotes a considerable part of his time to providing free legal services to the downtrodden who ordinarily do not have the financial resources to engage a lawyer. These pro bono services have formed the basis for his entry into politics to serve humanity at large. He believes that the greatness of a person should be measured by the difference he makes in the lives of the less fortunate and the positive influence that is made on others.
Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu is currently an aspirant to the Anambra State House of Assembly Anaocha Constituency II. His manifesto includes Job Opportunities, Wealth Creation, Protection of the downtrodden, Youth Empowerment, Adequate care of the Elderly and Maximum Security of lives and properties.
Barrister Ikenna Cyprian Uzokwelu is a devout Catholic and married with children.

Acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational women of African origin, Justina Mutale is the AFRICAN WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2012, an honour bestowed upon Justina on the same platform as Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa as well as the former President of Malawi, The Rt. Hon. Joyce Banda and the former female Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, The Hon. Thokozani Khupe.   Justina is also Honorary Ambassador for Gender Equality and Spokesperson for the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S THINK TANK,which is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia in the USA.  Justina has been featured as a Hero in the Capital Finance International  Journal, which brings coverage and analysis of the drivers behind change by combining the views of leading multilateral and national organizations with thought leadership from some of the world’s top minds.   Having gained global recognition for her ability, as a public personality to use her status to potentially influence the thinking of both Africans and non-Africans alike, Justina is featured among the 365 of Africa’s most respected names, well-known faces, and influential voices who inspire the future, motivate the young generation, and raise the profile to positively alter the perceptions of Africa and Africans around the world.

Justina is also a member of the “POWER 14″ a consortium of African Diaspora Women Leaders selected for their phenomenal leadership qualities and achievements in community development.  The POWER 14 are part of the top 100 Diaspora ChangeMakers,  an international network of influencers and innovators from every field and background and a beacon for enlightenment values, which undertakes influential and varied research projects and combines thought leadership with social innovation to further human progress. The Diaspora ChangeMakers Network is a project by the Royal Society of Arts with support from DfID’s Common Grounds Initiative, Comic Relief and Unbound Philanthropy, that seeks to identify and bring together the UK’s most promising individuals of African origin with a desire to support African communities in the UK and Africa.   In addtion, Justina is a recipient of the  2013 WAF-MDG Award from the Women Advancement Forum, presented in recognition of her efforts towards the  actualization of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.

Listed in the Worldwide WHO’s WHO Directory of Distinguished Individuals, Justina is the multi-award winning Founder & CEO of POSITIVE RUNWAY: Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread, a worldwide HIV/AIDS response campaign whcih spans 6 continents spread across the globe. POSITIVE RUNWAY is registered on the United Nations Department for Social and Economic Affairs (UNDESA) Civil Society Database and boasts membership and affiliation of various other international and global organisations including the Bond Network, which represents the largest household names in the UK International Development Sector, who influence key decision-makers at national, European and global levels; and the People’s Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights. POSITIVE RUNWAY is also a member of the ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE IF Campaign, a coalition of  leading UK development organisations working to end world hunger.

A recipient of numerous awards and accolades from around the world, Justina has been hailed as one of Africa’s shining beacons, a great Diaspora Role Model and Diaspora Woman of the Year 2012 and 2013.  In addition, Justina is featured in the BLACK 100+ Hall of Fame, an Exhibition and Legacy of the top 100 Black Achievers in modern Britain.  She is one of only eight (8) women featured on the 2013 Black Women in Europe PowerList and is also featured on the AFRONews Top 12 List of Remarkable African & Caribbean Women in the UK.

Justina is an Ambassador for Peace recognised by the Universal Peace Federation, a global alliance of organizations dedicated to building a world of peace in consultative status with the United Nations.  She has also been honoured as the 2014 Africa Global Goodwill Ambassador in Los Angeles, California, USA in April 2014.   In addition, Justina has been honoured as a Global Officials of Dignity  and UK Humanitarian Ambassador in the Global Officials of Dignity (G.O.D.) Awards held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.  The G.O.D. Awards honour individuals including members of ancient kingdoms, empires and royal dynasties from across the globe who have are invlolved in humanitarian work and have outstanding civic and charitable stewardship and have significantly improved the quality of life in their communities through their expertise, talents and skills.  Justina is one of the few African women to be featured in a UK Television Series on“Eminent African Women” and also in a TV Documentary “The Travelling Princess: The Joureny of Hope, Love and Humanity produced in Hollywood which features recipients of the Global Officials of Dignity (G.O.D) Awards, who include members of some of the world’s ancient kingdoms, empires and royal dynasties who are involved in humanitarian work across the globe.  Justina is also featured in a book on “Women Who Are Contributing to the Sustainable Development of the World” published in Paris; and another titled: “Women who Changed Africa”, published in New York.

A Philanthropist; International Speaker; Humanitarian; Philosopher; HIV/AIDS & Human Rights Activist and Advocate, Justina sits on the Advisory Board of the WORLD LEADERS FORUM based in Dubai.  She serves as Patron, Ambassador, Trustee and Board Member of several other humanitarian, community and charitable organizations in the UK and overseas.  Justina serves as Diaspora Ambassador &  Spokesperson for the ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE IF Campaign, which is supported and endorsed by world personalities and celebrities including Bill Gates, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, David Beckham and many others.  She also serves alongside the Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on the Advisory Board of the African Achievers Awards.

A regular Speaker on social, economic, political and gender issues, Justina has been featured in the same television programme as the British Prime Minister talking about poverty and world hunger.  She has also addressed the U.S. National Congress of Black Women in Los Angeles, the most powerful women’s organisation in the USA, which has been addressed by U.S. President Barack Obama and First Lady, Michelle Obama.  Justina has also addressed the European Leadership Conference at the UK Houses of Parliament in London and was invited at a Keynote Speaker at the Gender Economics Global Conference in Sydney, Australia.

As Diaspora Ambassador and Spokesperson, Justina has been one of the influential personalities driving the ENOUGH FOOD FOR EVERYONE IF Campaign, a coalition of over 200 leading UK development organizations and charities working to end world hunger by appealing to the G8 to revise policies that accelerate hunger.  She is also a Civil Society delegate to the United Nations General Assembly on the High Level Dialogue with UN member governments on International Migration and Development, (POST 2015 Development Agenda).

THE CONFERENCE TITLED “AFRICA RISING” – THE ROLE OF THE DIASPORA AFRICAN WOMEN took place on Thursday the 2nd of October at The House of Lords, Palace of Westminister in London.
I was starting to imagine, all the hard work effort it took not only to create a great platform of distinguished African Women in the Diaspora, to engage, exchange ideas and offer
practical soloutions to the development of progressive African women in the diaspora, but also to create and build effective partnerships in bridging unity, progress and social
harmony amongst African women making a difference.
For me it also served as an eye opener as to undersand more about the concerns of The African Women in the diaspora, the challenges they face and the way forward.
I had attended several African Women Conferences in the past (and even spoken at a few) and over the years my interest in The Role of The African Woman in an ever
changing society began to grow with new fusions of natural enthusiasm.

It was the first time also I was going to meet The Main Organiser- The Amazing Justina Mutale.
Justina is An Ambassador of Peace, Philanthropist, International Speaker, Human Rights Activist and Well Travelled
Community Ambassador.

My Business and Media Partner – Mr Dark Zarkes- The CEO of ZIMLINK and an advocate for equality, change and world peace was also present to provide high quality photography and
video footage on the day and I was looking forward to interviewing some of the high profile keynote speakers that brought a refreshing sense of pride to
our community.
I had presented and produced an African International Radio talk show for over two years called AFRICA4U with listeners in 9 Countries around the world.
Most of my listeners were African Women and over the years i began to develop a bit of understanding and sub-conscious interest of Issues that faced Women and how important and effective
they were in shaping the growth, development and harmony of nations
On the day, I ended up interviewing Madam JUSTINA MUTALE- The Main Organiser of The Event, Deborah Owhin – A Gender equality specialist
and Founder of Made Equal, CHIEF KATE ANOLUE – Founder of the Forum for African Women in Politics (FWAP) and former Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield,
DR TITILOLA BANJOKO – A healthcare manager with a clinical background. She pioneered the formation of AfricaRecruit and FindaJobinAfrica.com

SADO JIRDE – The Director of Black South West Network (BSWN), a charity focused on human rights and The One and only Princess of
Africa and one of Africas greatest Music Legends- Ivonne Chaka ChAKa

All the distinguished women I interviewed inspired me with their vision and their dynamic approach to feed the world with
new hopes and a priceless cord of ambition, drive and energy.
Change, Growth, Understanding,Inspirations, Love and Unity is sometimes all we need, two questions are also vital at the end of every conference

1. What happens next?
2. Where do we go from here?
Tony Tokunbo Fernandez

Published Writer, Multiple Award Winner, Mentor and International Broadcaster

PROFILES OF SPEAKERS AND AMBASSADORS AT THE EVENT CAN BE FOUND BELOW

A Conference with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA
House of Lords, Westminster Houses of Parliament. Thursday 2nd October 2014.
Thought provoking Conference with phenomenal African women including our very own Princess of Africa, YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA, South African Superstar and legendary singer, who is also United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Rollback Malaria Goodwill Ambassador.
THE RT. HON. BARONESS SANDIP VERMA is a member of the House of Lords and a businesswoman. She is the UK’s Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC). As Under Secretary of State, Baroness Verma is responsible for the business of the Department of Energy & Climate Change in the House of Lords.
YVONNE CHAKA CHAKA is a UNICEF and Roll Back Malaria Goodwill Ambassador. Known as the Princess of Africa, Yvonne is a South African Supestar and legendary singer with 30 years in the music industry, boasting twenty two albums, with many Platinum and Gold hit records, making her one of Africa’s most successful artists. Yvonne has performed around for the world, and also for world leaders including former South African President, Nelson Mandela; HRM Queen Elizabeth II; and U.S. President Bill Clinton, among many others. Yvonne has shared the stage with the music industry’s megastars such as Bono, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Miriam Makeba, and Hugh Masekela. Her humanitarian film “A Motherland Tour: A Journey of African Women with Yvonne Chaka Chaka”, is based on women’s health and empowerment. The film is a call to action for nations to honour their commitments to improve the health of all Africans, especially women and children in meeting the Health Millennium Development Goals. The film tells the inspirational story of African women who are making a positive impact on the health of their communities. In the film, Yvonne travels through Africa meeting courageous women who are changing lives. As each story unfolds, so does a powerful message: “Health is not a luxury of the few, but an inalienable right for all”.

JUSTINA MUTALE is the African Woman of the Year 2012 and Founder/CEO of POSITIVE RUNWAY: The Global Catwalk to Stop the Spread of AIDS. She is also the Gender Equality Ambassador & Spokesperson for the International Women’s Think Tank and sits on the advisory Board of the World Leaders Forum. http://www.justinamutale.com

JACQUELINE ONALO is a human rights and immigration lawyer at R.Spio & Company Solicitors. She is both a barrister and solicitor of England and Wales. She has recently been admitted as an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Jacqueline is also a trustee of Community Development Initiatives (CDI),
DEBORAH OWHIN is a gender equality specialist. In 2011, Deborah became the youngest advocate on Violence against women and girls. Deborah is the Founder of Made Equal, whose vision is to engage, educate and empower people in their 20s and 30s in the campaign to eradicate gender inequality.

ANNA VANDERPUYE OWUNNE is the CEO of African Business Roundtable (incorporating the NEPAD Business Group) UK Chapter and INGO Global. She has been UK African Community Ambassador for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for their Personal Food Imports Programme and Office for National Statistics for the pre-Census sensitisation programme.

CHIEF KATE ANOLUE is the Founder of the Forum for African Women in Politics (FWAP) and former Mayor of the London Borough of Enfield. She is also Founder & CEO of “TenderCare” a charity which carters for young teenage mothers and fathers, widows and lone women.

SHERRY ANN DIXON is an Inspirational and Motivational Speaker. She is also a Life Coach and Mentor. Sherry is the Founder & CEO of Women on the Crossroads, a motivational website for women. She is also the Founder & CEO of Sherry Dixon Consultancy, a Marketing and PR company.

CHIOMA AGWUEGBO is a Social Media Strategist and founding Editor of Naija2015. Chiome has experience spanning radio and radio drama production for the BBC Media Action in Nigeria.

LUKWESA BURAK is a TV Presenter and News Anchor at SKY World News. Lukwesa is committed to Malaria prevention and is Patron of the charity All Star Kids, working towards improving the lives of children in Southern Africa.

MELISSA POWYS-RODRIGUES is the Chairperson of the South African Chamber of Commerce UK, which she leads in all its initiatives including fundraising, research, political as well as business focused events, government (SA & UK) liaison and relationship fostering.

DR TITILOLA BANJOKO is a healthcare manager with a clinical background. She pioneered the formation of AfricaRecruit and FindaJobinAfrica.com – a programme designed to build human capital and skills capacity in Africa by strengthening the human resource framework on the continent, mobilising skills inside and outside Africa to address policy gaps and skills shortages impacting Africa’s development.

GEORGINA AWOONOR-GORDON is the Grants Manager for Trade, Enterprise and Employment programme Comic Relief Georgina oversees projects focused on improving economic opportunities for poor entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa. Over the last four years, she has worked on the Common Ground Initiative (CGI). Co-funded by DFID, the Initiative is directed mainly at supporting Africa’s development through small and African Diaspora-led organizations based in the UK.

SADO JIRDE is the Director of Black South West Network (BSWN), a charity focused on human rights, equality, access to knowledge and socio-economic inclusion. BSWN acts as an advocate on behalf of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities in the South West.

THE CONFERENCE TITLED “AFRICA RISING” – THE ROLE OF THE DIASPORA AFRICAN WOMEN TOOK PLACE YESTERDAY (THURSDAY THE 2ND OF OCTOBER 2014) AT THE HOUSE OF LORDS, HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT, UK- THE OLDEST PARLIAMENT ON THE WORLD.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET AND INTERVIEW ONE OF AFRICA,S GREATEST LIVING MUSIC LEGENDS WITH OVER 20 YEARS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY OFTEN DESCRIBED AS THE PRINCESS OF AFRICA AND THE FIRST EVER BLACK CHILD EVER TO APPEAR ON SOUTH AFRICAN TV- IVONNE CHAKA CHAKA,
MORE PICTURES AND VIDEO INTERVIEWS WILL BE MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
WE ALSO INTERVIEWED SOME FANTASTIC AFRICAN PROMINENT KEYNOTE SPEAKERS MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE TO WOMEN AROUND THE WORLD, FIND OUT WHO THEY ARE IN THE NEXT FORTNIGHT.
THUMBS UP FOR MY MEDIA PARTNER Dark Zac – CEO OF Zim Link FOR GREAT PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO FOOTAGE TO COME SHORTLY.
THIS CONFERENCE WAS ORGANISED BY THE WONDERFUL PEACE AMBASSADOR AND COMMUNITY ICON- MADAM Justina Mutale – I AM VERY PROUD OF YOU MADAM