MEET NGOZI NWAFOR, 2022 EMERGING POLITICAL LEADERS PROGRAMME COHORT ALUMNI
SHARE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF YOUR CURRENT PROJECT:
“Following my participation in the Emerging Political Leaders Fellowship, I swiftly applied the acquired knowledge during the Boot Camp by assuming the role of Gender Desk Officer for my State’s Judiciary in collaboration with UNICEF. In this capacity, I am entrusted with the crucial task of collating data on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Child Abuse incidents, meticulously documenting them, and compiling comprehensive reports. Moreover, I am dedicated to diligently monitoring the progress of each case until its resolution, thereby effectively tracking the conviction rates of perpetrators. This endeavour has significantly contributed to the establishment of an enhanced and streamlined documentation process for reported GBV cases within the state high court system.”
SHARE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FROM THE EMERGING POLITICAL LEADERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME:
“One of the most impactful experiences during my participation in the EPLF was the civic engagement activity. Given the freedom to choose our initiatives within a specific framework, I opted to conduct mine within a particular community. I brought together a group comprising middle-aged and elderly women to discuss their potential involvement in politics and governance. Facilitating dialogue within their immediate environment, the session was profoundly enlightening and engaging. The women shared candidly about the cultural constraints and societal norms that hinder their pursuit of leadership roles in both their communities and the political arena. This interactive exchange proved to be not only informative but also exhilarating. Additionally, the Boot Camp held in Abuja was a memorable occasion, meeting fellow participants in person after months of virtual interaction was truly gratifying, fostering enduring friendships and the development of valuable strategic partnerships.”
KINDLY SHARE INSIGHTS INTO YOUR CAREER AND ACTIVITIES, AND HOW PARTICIPATING IN EMERGING POLITICAL LEADERS FELLOWSHIP PROGRAMME HAS IMPACTED THEM:
“In my capacity as a public servant, daily face-to-face interactions with people are integral to my role. Through my participation in the EPLF, I have refined my interpersonal skills, enabling me to engage with individuals more effectively and devise innovative approaches to remain pertinent in my field by ensuring efficiency and efficacy in service delivery. Previously, I harboured a fear of public speaking, but following the EPLF and an encouraging conversation with His Excellency Liyel Umoke, the founder of the fellowship, I experienced a transformative shift. His words resonated deeply with me, instilling a newfound confidence that empowered me to address any audience with assurance. Subsequently, I have confidently led various programs, hosted events, and actively participated in panel discussions without hesitation. It feels like breaking free from a restrictive shell, and the journey has been immensely rewarding. Furthermore, the wealth of knowledge acquired through the Fellowship propelled me to pursue opportunities such as the Kashim Ibrahim Fellowship (KIF). I successfully navigated through the rigorous selection process, emerging as one of the chosen candidates. However, despite my enthusiasm, the fellowship programme experienced an unforeseen hiatus following the transition to a new government.”
HIGHLIGHT ONE SIGNIFICANT LESSON FROM THE FELLOWSHIP APPLICABLE TO YOUR CURRENT ROLE:
“One of the enlightening sessions during our fellowship centered on public service reforms, wherein I gained a profound understanding of the transformative nature of these reforms within government institutions and parastatals. It became clear to me that such reforms are aimed at effecting changes and improvements geared towards enhancing efficiency, accountability, effectiveness, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs. During the session, I raised a practical query regarding the implementation of these reforms, and the response I received emphasized the importance of positive reinforcement, rewards, and sanctions as mechanisms for incentivizing compliance. As a committed public servant, I have diligently integrated these lessons into my work practices. The outcomes have been truly commendable, marked by enhanced service delivery and tangible improvements, resulting in greater satisfaction among the populace.”
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