Adila Darego
I am Nigerian born and raised, and the founder of Educate Our Girls. I am a Law graduate and currently lead all our campaign and fundraising efforts. I’ve always had a strong passion for giving back to my community and advocating for the rights of young women. I firmly believe that knowledge is the best asset and gender should never be a factor in getting an education. In the past, I have volunteered for Victim Support at a Magistrate’s Court, supporting women who have been victims of domestic abuse. I have also been a peer mentor to first-year law students and held a number of other leadership positions. A short while ago, I was awarded Top 10 Undergraduate of the Year for Impactful Social Action 2020 by TARGETjobs UK for my work with Educate Our Girls.
Databa Daso-Jack
I am a young Nigerian who is passionate about the wellbeing of the girl child. A graduate of law at the Rivers State University and about embarking on my Masters Degree in Law(LL.M), I strongly believe that education and career growth are not gender based. The girl child can realize her greatest dreams, given the right efforts and environment. I am currently a volunteer within the campaign team at Educate Our Girls.
Smart Okpara
I am a Nigerian citizen and trained lawyer, chartered mediator and Conciliator. I currently handle all legal, secretarial, and compliance issues at Educate Our Girls. As an advocate for social change and impact, I am committed to bringing transformation to whatever sphere of influence I find myself in. I firmly believe that good education is the most important tool for a society's transition to sustainable development. I believe this should be readily accessible and available to all persons across tribes, religion and gender. I was recently an Associate at a national law firm; I am also a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and Amnesty International. I believe that a society with educated and powerful women is a strong society and that inspires my commitment to being part of this organisation.
Idongesit Usoro
I am a Nigerian, from Akwaibom but born and raised in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, I am a graduate of Mechatronic engineering from the University of PortHarcourt. I am passionate about a girl child education and helping them understand the importance of being a woman in society, and also the importance of education in a young woman. Women have displayed the strength that we didn’t presume to have before, we’ve shown better and greater examples and are the backbone of the society so I’m dedicated to inspiring the next generation of young women. I believe in collective minds working even better together and that’s why I volunteer with Educate Our Girls to push for educated and independent women in Africa.
Ledeebari F. Nwizug
I am Nigerian from Rivers state precisely. I studied environmental science at the University of Port Harcourt. I currently work within the creative media space as a content creator. This medium allows me to express my inner prowess. I am a volunteer/speaker on the Educate our girl's team. I have seen African women and women from other parts of the world display strength, dignity, and competence but struggle to reach their optimum potentials because of certain beliefs and barriers society has placed. I want to change this narrative and I consider it best to start from the grassroots. I might not be Wonderwoman and I don't expect this change to happen in a twinkle of an eye, however, I believe in the power of collective effort and consistency this is why I am part of the Educate our girls project.
Damilola Adenuga
I am Nigerian and proud. I am a part of the Educate Our Girls team where we collectively continue to push for leveling the playing field by supporting female education. I currently work as a Mobile Financial Services Integration Engineer. My day-to-day work facilitates financial inclusion for the unbanked and underbanked in Africa - predominantly women. An enormous digital divide exists, particularly in developing countries, whereby girls and women often have less access to technology and the internet. I have a deep passion for women, equality, and technology. I am committed to empowering girls by helping them attain expertise in one or more of the wide range of competencies that exist in technology. I also volunteer with Goodera to help read stories to kids in public schools with identified lack of resources.
Desire C. Igweh
I am a Nigerian, born and raised in Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. A graduate, currently with a Law firm and working as a director of a Nursery, Primary, and Secondary School in the city of Port-Harcourt. I’ve always had a passion for educating young girls knowing how I struggled growing up as a teenager and the challenges life threw at me. I knew I would one day grow up to coach and tell the story to the young, talented, and brilliant young women. Knowledge they say is power, why then should we intentionally bestow power to a particular gender? I believe acquiring knowledge is important and gender should not stand in the way of one’s education. I have seen young women live in fear, I have seen young women kept in the dark, I have seen young women silenced, abused, relegated, and the list goes on. I’m currently a speaker and mentor at Educate Our Girls. I also work as an aid with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Port-Harcourt chapter to oversee the affairs of women especially young women because I strongly believe that women are important too. I have recently received an award of ‘Excellent Service to Humanity’ by the Association of journalists of broadcasters, Nigeria.
Phebe Ayi West
I am a medical doctor and I am passionate about women’s health and gender parity. My favourite thing to do is defy the odds. I am a team player, a mentor and an empath. I have some experience in public speaking especially to youths. I hope to inspire the next generation of women by supporting and advocating for young girls to have access to good formal education.
I became a volunteer specifically to help create fair opportunities for girls in underrepresented communities as well as actively educate them. Girls whose education have been neglected to prioritise other needs. I strongly believe that every girl child deserves an opportunity to see the woman she can become when she is also given a chance to try.
Grace Kalu-Anyah
A Nigerian from Ohafia, raised in Port Harcourt. I have a first degree in Engineering and studying for a Masters in Computing. I have experience working in the FinTech sector where I have seen how technology and education can address social issues that affect women and girls across Africa.
I firmly believe that educating girls directly impacts their likelihood of escaping poverty when they become women, this drives my commitment to addressing inequality, improving access to education and combating violence against women.
As a director and volunteer with Educate Our Girls, I contribute my technical skills and cultural insights to develop innovative solutions for the organisation. I am also a member of the Market March organisation working to end the normalised sexual harassment and bullying of women in Nigerian markets.
