UNA-NIGERIA COMMEMORATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER
UNA-NIGERIA COMMEMORATES THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF OLDER PERSONS 2024 Every October 1st, the world celebrates
Joan Agha is a graduate of the University of Benin and University of Lagos, where she obtained her first degree in Business Administration and an MBA in General Management respectively.
Her work experience includes her meritorious service of over 32 years in different renowned institutions; Federal Ministry of Education, Central Bank of Nigeria, Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company Limited (SNEPCO) and Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) where she worked until she retired in November 2011. She is currently the MD/CEO, Joan Consulting, Director, Joan Agha Life Coaching Academy (JALCA) and Founder and President of Joan Agha Foundation (JAF). Also, she is President of United Nations Association of Nigeria (UNAN).
Over the years, she has undergone Professional, Management and Leadership training such as; Certified Life Coach (Inspired Spirit Coaching Academy, Australia), Leadership Development Forum for Women Executives (Leading Edge Academy, Malaysia), General Management for Specialist (Cranfield School of Management, UK), Consulting Skills (Technique for Change, UK), and Professional Development Programs (Harvard Extension School) amongst other national and international courses.
She is an Accredited Management Trainer, a Certified Management Consultant and a Fellow of The Institute of Management Consultants. She has co-authored an international book titled “In the Spirit of Abundance” with world-class motivational speakers and renowned bestselling authors such as Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield.
She has successfully trained top management staff nationally and internationally on numerous occasions.
She is happily married to Dr. Billy Agha, and they are blessed with children and grandchildren.
Ijeoma Otuodichinma Nweke is a graduate of University of Nigeria Nsukka where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health Education. She bagged her PGD in Health Safety and Environmental Management, Msc. in Public Health, both from the University of Lagos.
She has over 20 years of experience in the developmental space having worked with the Nigerian Red Cross Society in Lagos State both as a volunteer and at Managerial levels including health related projects of the organisation. She voluntarily retired as the National General Secretary, Young Women’s Christian Association of Nigeria (YWCA). She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment especially the young ones, violence against women and actions to bring about gender equality.
She is a woman leader at the World YWCA,
Geneva and an active member of YWCA of Nigeria giving consultations where needed.
She is currently the Vice President of United Nations Association of Nigeria. Her wealth of experience over the years can be traced to various leadership and skills trainings she underwent including on the job trainings.
Worked as an independent monitor for WHO in Lagos State, during the National Immunization Days in 2007. (in and end processes).
These were here works driven by her passion to serve humanity.
At her leisure, she loves reading, writing, baking, gardening and travelling.2022
OMOPEJU AFANU is well versed in project management, finance and administration with experience in managing different scales of projects earning her the position of Managing Director and Vice President/COO of several organizations.
She has been involved in conceptualizing and developing economic growth projects for companies and government for national development. She has also been consulting for various companies in the conceptualization, design and execution of turn-key Hotel and Real Estate Development projects in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Benin, Abeokuta, Calabar, Obudu, Afikpo, Ilorin and Monrovia as designer and creative consultant, supervising all Interior Designs, Fittings and Furnishings and Project Management.
She has undergone a few professional courses as follows: Interior Design at the National Design Academy, U.K.; Project Management at the University of Adelaide and; Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), U.K. (in view)
She has successfully completed courses in Developing Future Cities at ETH Zurich, Switzerland; Professional Protocol and Etiquette course at the Charleston School of Protocol and Etiquette, U.S.A.; The World Bank Group course on Financing for Development and was certified as a Development Specialist with Distinction; An Introductory course on Private Equity and Venture Capital at University of Bocconi, Spain; Entrepreneurial Management at Enterprise Development Centre of the Pan-Atlantic University sponsored by the World Bank Group (Women-X Programme).
Her overall entrepreneurial experience span over 15 years commencing as a student in the University of Ibadan while her management experience span over a period of ten years thus acquiring a robust experience in Entrepreneurship, Management, Administration, Finance and other related areas in the private sectors of the economy. She has been responsible for sourcing, managing and training staff for various projects. She is also an expert resource for the Cross River State 30-year Growth and Development Strategy under the auspices of Cross River State Government Planning Commission.
She is the Country Director in Nigeria for The Women Empowerment and Development Platform (TWEDP) an NGO dedicated to the growth and empowerment of women at grassroot level as well as supporting children of poor families in public schools by providing them with resources as well as opportunities for qualitative education. She is one of the Directors of the Cromwell International Foundation for the Needy a social enterprise being set up in the U.K. to cater to children with Special Educational Needs. She is the President of her Women-X cohort comprising 35 other women and initiated the Women-X Alumni community project comprising of over 500 women that participated in the Women-X Programme. She was the Director of Government Affairs of the Women in Hospitality Nigeria (WIHN) Initiative.
Dr. Afanu also provides mentorship and other support to women in business. She was a mentor for the 2017 Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Programme.
Dr. Afanu has presented various papers at local and international seminars and conferences as follows:
Title: Tank Maintenance Protocol, Waste Management and HSE Management Systems and their Relationship to Environment Management, 2012
Title: Lisabi Century City Development (a luxury real estate development comprising of residential, commercial and industrial zones with an 18 hole Golf Course), 2013
Title: Nigeria as an Emerging Market: Investment Hub for Venture Capitalist and Private Equity Funds, 2015
Title: The Path to Agricultural Development and Food Security in sub-Saharan Africa: Case Study Nigeria, 2015
Title: Women Empowerment: Charting the way forward for Financial Inclusion and Economic Growth, July 2016
An application-based paper approved for presentation at the 37th International Business Research Conference in Las Vegas, U.S.A
Title: The challenges of accessing funds by Female Entrepreneurs in Sub Saharan Africa: Shattering the Glass Ceiling, August 2016
A policy driven paper presented to the Edo State Governor at the Edo State Agribusiness Workshop, Benin City – Edo State, Nigeria
Title: Harnessing Resources and Opportunities to Optimise Agribusiness in Edo State, Nigeria; Case Study: Fruit and Vegetables Critical Success Factors, January 2017
Title: Cross River State Economic Development Roadmap/Strategy: Sustainable Development Breakout Session Report, May 2017
Title: Achieving a Greener Environment: Implication on the Economy of OPEC – Case Study of Nigeria, September 2017
Busola Oladunjoye is the Assistant Secretary General. She has over 6 years’ experience in programme communications, monitoring research and evaluations. She had served with United Nations Information Centre as well as Leap Africa. Busola speaks French and English fluently. Busola holds two master’s degrees: Master in Public Administration and Masters of Art in Foreign Language and Literature (French. She currently working as a Programs Officer with African Foundation for Young Media Professionals.
Illuminating Lives, Nurturing Talent, and Leading Change
Ifeoma Nwuke, a graduate geographer from Abia State University, Uturu, is an example of versatility, dedication, and compassion. Her academic journey equipped her with the skills to understand the intricacies of our diverse world, a foundation she has used to build an extraordinary career.
Ifeoma’s journey in interior design began under the mentorship of the prestigious Dorothy Van’Triet Academy in South Africa. For two decades, she has owned and steered the helm of Simply Gifts & Interiors Ltd, where her innate creativity transforms spaces and her gift consultancy adds thoughtfulness and elegance to every present.
As the CEO of SimplyKlean Ltd, she has masterminded janitorial services and facility management, bringing order and cleanliness to a range of spaces with a meticulous eye for detail.
Ifeoma heart for service and leadership shines through her role as a woman leader, fervent advocate for youth development, and dedicated humanitarian. Alongside her foundation, Claritus Foundation, she actively contributes to her community, empowering women and nurturing the potential of the next generation.
Her commitment transcends borders as a programme officer and volunteer with the United Nations Association of Nigeria, where she works tirelessly towards global change.
In her spare time, she’s a published author, with her book “Soothing Waters” available on Amazon, where her words offer solace and wisdom, touching hearts worldwide.
In a dynamic array of roles as a geographer, interior designer, gift consultant, service provider, woman leader, youth developer, humanitarian, author, and UN volunteer, Ifeoma Nwuke stands as a guiding light, illuminating lives, nurturing talent, and leading change.
Nnenna Ukoha is the former National Executive President of the All Nigerian United Nations Students and Youths Association (ANUNSA); currently the project coordinator of Women in Charity and a member of the United Nations Association of Nigeria. She is a unique strategist and renowned capacity builder, peace builder and conflict resolutionist, with extensive experience and expertise in training of trainers, specialized skill development, Early childhood Education, youths, and women development.
Amb. Nnenna is very passionate for the development of youths, women and children as she strongly believe that women has natural endowment which when carefully harnessed, the world will be a better place, she also believe that catching them young that children and youths will instill the right attitude and knowledge that will mould them for positive change as the Bible says train up a child in the way it should go, when he or grows he will not depart from it.
She is a motivational speaker, an inspirational leader that is ready to help everyone irrespective of tribe or religion,a grass root reformer, giver, mentor and care giver. She is an educationist and a graduate of Education Accountancy from the prestigious Abia State University Uturu and also obtained her masters in Early Childhood Education from the premier University of Ibadan. Her personal experiences growing up aroused the interest and passion for the development and empowerment of young people and women to be self-reliant.
Amb. Nnenna has attended so many training, workshops and conferences both locally nationally and internationally, she has represented Nigeria in so many United Nations and youth conferences without sponsorship from anyone so long as it’s about acquiring knowledge. She has also replicated the trainings by training so many Nigerian youths and women to be self-reliant and peace-builders. She is a selfless and respected community leader who inspires anyone that comes around her. Her experience at the women peace makers program, a training the trainers’ workshop which she attended in Netherlands in 2004 and 2005 changed her perspective to life and made her the change agent that she is today. She has coordinated several high level seminars and events and is also a recipient of so many awards. She has represented Nigeria in Harvard world model United Nations conference in Netherlands in 2010.
Boboye Adeniji, is an international development and business advisory consultant and the Managing Partner of PELSE Consulting, offering management consulting services specifically for SMEs to foster their sustainability, profitability, and scalability.
He is passionate about Youth Development and Transitioning and has a wide experience supporting Youth Employment and Business Development, in cooperation with international development partners such as USAID, the US consulate, UNICEF, ILO, Ford Foundation, etc.
With over 15 years of working experience, he supports both non-profit development organizations and SMEs with Business Intelligence (BI), Data Analysis, Financial Plan development, Process Development, Strategy Design, Business Optimization, Innovation Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (Policy and Plan), Project Design, and the development of a symbiotic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) model for organizations.