CITAD Hosts Ms. Ene Obi As February ILERIS Guest

Hamza Ibrahim Chinade.

Inspiring Leadership Reflection Interactive Series (ILERIS) is a monthly youths mentoring and inspiring session of the Center for Information Technology and Development (CITAD),  normally successful people from different fields, backgrounds and professions are invited to come and directly interact with staff, interns and volunteers of the organization alongside other civil society activists and students of tertiary institutions so that they can learn from the experience, struggles, successes and failures of the invited guests. Every month, one or two guests are invited for the inspiring session.

This month, CITAD hosts a human rights and social justice advocate Ms. Ene Obi who is also the Governance Team Leader with ActionAid International, Arusha Tanzania. In his opening remarks, the Executive Director of the organization, Dr. Yunusa Zakari Ya’u thanked Ms. Ene for honouring the invitation extended to her stressing that the forum is meant to serve an as inspiring and mentoring ground for especially young people and that is the reason guests of rich profile are brought in order to add value to the lives of the participating youths.  

In her presentation, the guest Ms. Ene Obi took the participants into her interesting profile beginning with students unionism and activism at the University of Jos where she became the President of the Students Union Government amidst series of challenges and struggles during the military government of General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida before advancing to labour union, human rights activism, social justice and as well as giving back to the society. Resuscitating the spirit of nationalism and determination in the youths for societal development, Ms. Ene cautioned the participants from engaging in insincere acts no matter how beautiful they may appeal. She shared her career experiences revealing strengths and weaknesses of certain actions and how they can help the participants in guiding their future to a better direction. Advising the participants on corruption and morality, Ms. Ene said “no religion preaches stealing, the face of religion is the face of morality, don’t ever take what does not belong to you, when you have wealth share with others and always use the little you have to assist those in need”.

The guest responded to questions and comments raised by the participants before Mal. Isa Garba (Senior Programme Officer, Peace and Conflict) gave a vote of thanks. The event ended with a celebration of Valentine’s Day where the Ms. Ene Obi, ED of CITAD and the participants cut and enjoyed a special cake and chocolates. Ms. Ene Obi was presented with some publications of the organization by Fatimah Ibrahim.