PROJECT_INSPIRE: Can we meet you?
Jude: My name is Ogene Ogbodo Jude, 3rd born from a family of four, I hail from Neke in Isi Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: Tell us briefly your childhood experience.
Jude: Growing up was never easy. I didn’t grow up in my state of origin and there were lots of discriminations in that area with about 95% of the population were subsistent farming. In the midst of these unfavorable circumstances, my parents kept inspiring me and my siblings to dream big.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What’s your educational background?
Jude: I am a graduate of Political Science from University of Jos. I hold a Diploma in Law from the same institution and a Professional Diploma in Education from the Federal College of Education (Technical) Potiskum, Yobe State. I attended Ohe Primary School Ugbodu Delta State but obtained my First School Leaving Certificate at Ezechima Primary School Onitsha and my secondary school education at St Aidains Secondary School Umuezeoka, Ebonyi State.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What are your contributions towards making Nigeria a better place?
Jude: I am the Co-Founder and Executive Director, Town Crier Initiative Africa, an organization focused on leading advocacy on ending illiteracy, period poverty, water poverty and hunger by promoting access to WASH information, supporting out of school children get back to school and remain in school, offering opportunities to girls in rural communities to compete in social, political and economic spaces.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What have your achievements been?
Jude: For the past 3 years, we have been able to reach out to 5,000 girls with menstrual hygiene kits and information, returned 100 out of school children back to school and have help them remain in school. We have supported the educational advancement of People with Disability and have sponsored five of them to sit for WAEC/NECO examinations.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What motivated you to do what you are doing?
Jude: The inspiration comes from the society. Whenever I notice around things that are not working in the way they should, I get disturbed and until I do something about it, I will be uncomfortable.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: Tell us more about your non-profit organization.
Jude: Town Crier Initiative Africa is a youth led and youth oriented volunteer based organization working with community leaders, religious institutions, schools and other CBOs, CSOs, national and international organizations to inspire young and future leaders, engaging boys and men in generating discussions around issues that affects women; contributing to ending period stigma, poverty and ignorance, creating empowerment opportunities and platforms for both sex to thrive. We are currently executing a project tagged PROJECT 5000 GIRLS which is aimed at using sports, social and academic activities to engage boys and girls, men and women in generating discussion around menstruation with intention to normalized period talk and break the silence surrounding menstruation. We are running a scholarship known as BRIGHTER ALAIGBO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM which aimed at returning/supporting out of school children, orphans, indigents and PWDs return to and remain in school.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What has been your major challenge since you began your non-profit organization?
Jude: Most youth led organization in Nigeria suffers from the issues of funding, lack of mentorship and enabling environment to thrive. We have had our share of these challenges but we keep pushing.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: Many young people have great ideas, but lack of funds is always a stumbling block. What’s your advice in this regard?
Jude: Keep pushing, be sincere and never give up. Many people see what you are doing and are paying attention to your consistence, sincerity and integrity. Sometimes people don’t support you because what you do don’t align with their ideology but they truly appreciate your efforts.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: How have you been able to raise money to implement your ideas?
Jude: We raise funds and supports from friends ands and supporters.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: Could you please share with us one or two experience(s) you have had in the course of your campaign that has/have impacted on you?
Jude: The day an International organization approached us and acknowledge what we do and declared their interest to support our back to school project. Another high point in my journey was the day I received a call from National Youth Service Corps that I have been enlisted to receive the Nigerian Presidential award in recognition of the community projects I carried out during my one-year compulsory national service. Since after that award, I have received several invitations to share my story.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What are your prospects in the next 5 or 10 years?
Jude: We are working to grow Town Crier Initiative Africa into a leading organization that will create more opportunities for youths and empower them to thrive while generating more open dialogues around menstrual health.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: What do you think is the major cause of unemployment among the youth today, and how can we get over this?
Jude: The problems are enormous but I will limit them to low standard of education, corruptions and nepotism. The way out is to set the pace for educational, agricultural and industrial reformations.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: How can you be reached in social media?
Jude: @ogene_ogbodo (IG and Twitter)
PROJECT_INSPIRE: The final word for the Nigerian youth.
Jude: Wherever are you are, whatever you do, be sincere, promote integrity and always focus on your dreams. The journey won’t be easy but keep trusting God in the process; start small and be persistent because there is always light in the tunnel.
PROJECT_INSPIRE: Thank you for sharing your story with us and we do pray that many will be inspired as they read.
Jude : Thank you for the opportunity.
If you are a changemaker and you would love us to tell your story, kindly reach/follow Busaosowo Foundation on:
+2347047429329
Comments
Post a Comment