Executive Director/Program Director
Centre for Human Right, Health, Ethnic Harmony and Livelihood Development (CHHELD)
Total years of experience :14 years, 7 Months
• I spearheaded the team at CHHELD, overseeing the initiation, securing, and execution of the "Strengthening Good Governance & Democratic Processes in Nigeria" project, generously funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). This endeavor significantly enhanced local governance and democratic practices at the Local Government Area (LGA) level. I directed the training and capacity-building of 1040 participants, encompassing teenagers, youths, women, men, the elderly, physically challenged individuals, traditional rulers, the political class, opinion leaders, and clergy. The focus of the program was on imparting knowledge in Civic Education, good governance principles, and democratic processes.
(https://chheld.org.ng/centre-for-human-rights-health-ethnic-harmony-and-livelihood-development-chheld-also-known-as-harmony-centre-partners-with-women-united-for-economic-empowerment-wuee-on-an-undef-funded-project-ti/ )
• I effectively launched, secured funding for, and executed CHHELD's "Improving Citizens’ Participation in Local Government Administration in Rivers State" initiative, supported by the British Council's European Union Agents for Citizens-driven Transformation (EU-ACT). This project aimed to foster participatory governance at the grassroots level by empowering 32 community members with the necessary knowledge to actively engage their local government authorities in the development, implementation, and monitoring of a cohesive governance plan aligned with the interests and priorities of citizens.
The accomplishments of the project include notable achievements such as the Asari-Toru and Degema Local Government Area authorities currently implementing development projects in targeted communities based on NEEDs assessments conducted by trained community members. The outcomes, which were submitted to their respective local government councils, demonstrate the tangible impact of the initiative. Furthermore, there is a discernible increase in female participation in town hall gatherings and decision-making processes within the targeted communities, attributable to the interventions facilitated by CHHELD.
(https://chheld.org.ng/chheld-and-and-the-advocates-of-local-government-accountability-and-transparency-alat-team-from-obuama-and-ipokuma-degema-consulate-communities-in-degema-lga-rivers-state-paid-a-courtesy-visit-to/ )
• I spearheaded the formation of strategic alliances for CHHELD by successfully registering the organization with four international networks, six national networks, and two regional networks. Through these partnerships, we collaborated on impactful projects with organizations such as Rivers State Network of NGOs (RINNGOS), Gender and Menstrual Justice Network, Rivers State Tax Justice and Governance Platform (RSTJGP), and Connected Development (CODE).
Managed the "Peacebuilding" project under the United Kingdom's "Conflict, Stability, and Security Fund (CSSF) Niger Delta Stabilization Programme" This initiative involved offering technical assistance to the Federal Government's policy processes in the Niger Delta region and contributing to the creation of the Strategic Implementation Work Plan (SIWP) portal for the Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs.
Other Responsibilities:
• Carried out periodic Niger Delta political-economic briefings with members of the diplomatic communities, (i.e., European Union delegation to Nigeria and Ecowas, UKaid, DFID staff CSSV)
• Directed a group of experienced professionals in DDRR (Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration) to collaborate on brainstorming, conducting surveys, research, and organizing a workshop to evaluate and develop a comprehensive evidence-based model for the reintegration of reformed cultists in the Niger Delta. This initiative aimed to address the challenges posed by crimes such as cultism, kidnapping, militancy, and drug abuse
https://www.siwp.ng/ https://www.stakeholderdemocracy.org/report-public-perceptions-of-security-dynamics-in-the-niger-delta/
Implemented SDN “Niger Delta Watch 2019 Elections” Project funded by United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID). Niger Delta Watch 2019 is a citizen-led elections observation project, reporting on the 2019 Nigeria presidential and governorship elections in Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa-Ibom states.
Other responsibilities:
• Helped to recruit observers in all wards and LGA of target states
• Organized stakeholder briefings, radio shows and trainings for election observers
• Importing, cleaning, coding and verification of data sent to the signal portal by observers on election day
• Setting up of situation room on election day
• Carry out extensive research on political and electoral dynamics in the Niger Delta, writing reports and success stories.
https://www.stakeholderdemocracy.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Bayelsa-election-observation.-Report.-2020-DIGITAL.pdf)www.stakeholderdemocracy.org
Implemented the governance component of GASINs/Dutch Embassy project titled “Strengthening community governance, environmental monitoring and implementing a gas alert system in select communities of the Niger Delta.” Project
Other responsibilities:
• Trained community leadership to help promote community governance and coordination in target communities.
• Participated in JIV in host communities in collaboration with multinational oil firms & sister NGOs
• Carried out M&E, Procurement and community mobilization
• Carried out environmental impact assessment on behalf of target communities.
• Carried out NEEDS assessment, Participatory vulnerability analysis & participatory research & Action in target communities to ascertain their vulnerability levels
• Built Coalition and provided strong coordination support to sister organizations, partnering bodies and security agencies.
• Continuous Supervision of all Volunteers and staff
• Set up of Early Warning and Early Response teams in target communities
• Used Conflict intervention tools in bringing back warring communities to the dialogue table.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/gasalert/
Supervised a group of 98 trainees/Ex-Niger Delta agitators being prepared to go and study in the United States of America & Europe.
Other responsibilities:
• Acted as interface between trainees and management
• All trainees under my direct supervision/coaching were cleared for travel after they all passed their test
• Provided effective coaching, motivation and recognition to trainees
• Managed staff workload, providing accurate information and assistance to both trainees and resource personnel
• Assisted managers/trainees with special projects, complaints and identified system issues
• Revised work instructions, procedures and reports trainee accuracy and retraining purposes
• Evaluated daily reports on individual performance
• Involved in supervision, counseling and assisted in administrative duties
• Responsible for the welfare of trainees in the project
• Monitored and evaluates trainees’ progress
• Conducted pre and post-test for assigned trainees
• Maintained and documented reports daily and presented it management
Served as supervisor to 55 vocational trainees sponsored by the (presidential Amnesty Program of Nigeria on skills such as ICT, Industrial Electrification Pipeline Fabrication/Argon Welding, Crane operation).
Other responsibilities:
• Provided information support courteously to trainees
• Resolved conflicts among trainees and with staff
• Organized recreation activities/excursions
• Coordinated with management on trainees' concerns
• Assisted with graduating students' paperwork
• Arranged and managed trainee events
• Boosted participation by 87%
• Interpreted technical concepts into pidgin for English-challenged trainees
• Served on disciplinary hearing authority
• Monitored and evaluated project progress and attendance
Training Assistant, Presidential Amnesty Program of the Nigerian Government. (Part of the team that was in charge of using Kingian Nonviolence conflict resolution tools in psychosocial support, Rehabilitation & Reintegration of repentant ex-agitators.
Other responsibilities:
• Provided assistant to the lead trainer by completing needed task both assigned and unassigned but necessary in an efficient and timely manner
• Frequently facilitated training modules and provide constructive feedback to trainees as well as manage trainees in the absence of lead trainer
• Supported and supervised the trainees by counseling and encouragement during the early phase of their rehabilitation.
Assumed the training duties of the lead trainer in his/her absence which consisted of planning, organizing, implementing coordinating and evaluating internal and external training program for ex-Niger delta agitators.
• Conducted one-on -one and group training for vulnerable groups among the ex-Niger delta agitators
• Responsible for the coaching and orientation of new employees and volunteers
• Efficiently oversaw the collection and management of training records, organized and filed all training paperwork
• Performed data entry of trainees and training documents Microsoft excel sheet.
• Successfully aided in the training and rehabilitation process of about six thousand (6000) ex-Niger Delta agitators
Coordinator for polio Nigerian Red Cross society Kogi state chapter where my contribution in form of providing operational and management assistance to the states polio eradication initiative led to the eradication of polio in Kogi state and its environs.
Other responsibilities:
• Developed a data collection system with volunteers for project data on polio
• Established Red Cross clubs in three secondary schools in Lokoja as part of community development service project
• Rapid career progression from trainee to coordinator within six months
• Interfaced between Red Cross, NGOs, local communities, and the government
• Monitored and evaluated ad-hoc staff performance during door-to-door polio immunization
• Collaborated with WHO and UNICEF on launching a vaccination campaign in Kogi State
• Assisted in recruitment, training, and supervision of ad-hoc staff for anti-polio vaccine administration
• Served as Disaster Management Attaché, Rescue/Emergency Officer, and Emergency First Aid Specialist
• Demonstrated knowledge of national trends, routine immunization laws, policies, and guidelines
• Partnered with WHO and Kogi State Ministry of Health in distributing IPV and OPV to health officials statewide.
Links: //kogi@nysc.gov" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://kogi@nysc.gov
//kogi@nrcsng.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://kogi@nrcsng.org
Research Project: Strengthening Community Capacity on Conflict Resolution using the Early Warning and Early Response Approach.
Research Project: The role of traditional rulers in local government administration.