Twelve LEAD-Nigeria Associates who recently completed the national training component of the Associateship phase of the LEAD training were among the one hundred and  eighty Associates from over eighty countries who converged at Wye campus (Kent) of imperial college, London for the graduation session of Cohort 10 Associates held between April 1-20, 2004.

The International training/graduation session with the theme:  “Sustainable Agriculture and the Global Food Economy:  Going Against the Grain?” gave the participants the opportunity to have first hand experience on sustainable agriculture in the United Kingdom, and provided a forum for the exploration of issues of global and national importance pertaining to food security and sustainability. 

 The Session provided a unique opportunity for LEAD Associates to meet and work with a number of distinguished national and international speakers.  They had the chance to listen to a distinguished line-up of speakers including Michael Meacher, the UK’s minister for environment between 1997 and 2003, who was responsible for series of  innovative policies designed to promote sustainable agriculture.  Other speakers included Sir Richard Sykes, Rector of Imperial College, Professor Jeff Waage,  Sir Crispin’ Tickell, Chancellor of University of Kent - Professor Timothy Josling and Simon Maxwell amongst others experts of international repute.

The Associates also met different stakeholders in the global agricultural debate-including farmers’ groups and environmentalists, and had the opportunity to witness sustainable agriculture, first hand through a number of field visits.  Closing Remarks at the graduation ceremonies were given by HRN Princess Royal Anne, and Lord Holmes, a member of UK House of Lords, and Chancellor of the University of Greenwich.

The International Session is a key component of LEAD Training Programme to be completed by Associates in order to graduate and gain the status of LEAD FELLOW.

With the graduation of Cohort 10 Associates LEAD Nigeria now has 136 Fellows spread all over the country and in all major sectors, (business, academia, government, media, NGOs) committed to  ensuring a transition to a more sustainable future for the Nigerian environment and economy. 

MEET THE NEW LEAD-NIGERIA FELLOWS

Emmanuel Chukwunyere NZEGBULE is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria. 

He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Biology from Abia State University, Uturu, Nigeria and a doctorate in Plant Ecology from the University of Ibadan Nigeria.

Adebayo OKUWOBI is the Assistant General Manager, Life & Pensions at Leadway Assurance Company. Adebayo is an Actuarial Science graduate from the University of Lagos and a Fellow of the Life Management Institute, Atlanta Georgia, U.S.A. 

Adekunbi AJAYI works with the Nigerian Life and Pensions Consultants Ltd., (NLPC) in the marketing department.  She is responsible for fund management services to the clients and the administration Pension Schemes. In addition to her Insurance education, Kunbi obtained an MBA (Specialising in Marketing) from the Lagos State University, Nigeria.

Tosan EYITSEDE is an Administrator Chevron (Nig.) Ltd. (CNL) Facilities Management  and also environmental consultant with Tosventure.  Tosan holds a diploma in Pharmacology and Physiology, a Masters degree in Business Administration, and is currently a Ph.D student in Environmental Policy and Technology Management, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Godson Rowland ANA is a Lecturer in the Department of Epidemiology, Medical Statistics and Environmental Health in the Faculty of Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.  A Biochemist by training, with a Master’s in public Health  (M.P.H) from the University of Ibadan and recently completed a doctoral programme in the same University.

Fiwasade Adepeju Omoyemi ONIFADE is a Program Officer at Youth Empowerment  Foundation (YEF). She holds a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development and a Masters degree in Business Administration with interest in issues of health, gender, environment, information communication and technology (ICT) and also on Agriculture.

Adeshina Waheed SADIQ is presently working with National Oil & Chemical Marketing Plc, Kano as Aviation Engineer. He is a Mechanical Engineer by training with both bachelors and master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Lagos, where he also had a Masters degree in Health, Safety and Environment.

Iniobong Edith ABIOLA-AWE is an Assistant Chief Environmental Scientist with the Federal Ministry of Environment.  She earned a Master’s Degree in Parasitology from the University of Lagos and Bachelors Degree in Zoology from the University of Calabar. She presently works as an inspector in the Industrial Compliance Division of the Federal Ministry of Environment where she inspects manufacturing industries, to enforce compliance with the Ministry’s Environmental Laws, Guidelines and Standards.

Umar Yahaya KAWU is a Senior Consultant with ReStral Consulting, a Management Consultancy,  Leadership and Capacity Building Solutions Firm.

Umar holds a bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy and a Masters degree on Business Administration both from Ahmadu  Bello University, Zaria.  His professional affliations include Associate Member of the chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Member Nigerian Institute of Management, and Member, Pharmaceutical Society in Nigeria.

Thomas Olaleye OGUNGBANGBE is General Manager, SO₃ Aviation Support Co. Ltd.  He possesses a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, and a bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, both from the University of Ilorin, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos.  He is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing.

Cordelia N. ADAMU is the Coordinator of an NGO, “Your Environment and Health,” which she founded after a two-year Stint as Coordinator of Women Environment Programme, a gender focused NGO based in Abuja.  She also runs an events organizing and planning company, Corry Ventures.  Cordelia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Food Science and Technology from the University of Maiduguri.

Olufemi Olukayode ADEBAJO is the General Manager of S & D Group a Finance and Investment Firm based in Lagos.  Olufemi is a Chartered Accountant and also holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Lagos.