Food is an important part of life.

It gives us energy, supports our health and brings families and communities together.

But food can also expose us to disease, damage the environment and contribute to waste when it is produced, handled or consumed irresponsibly.

On Saturday, July 25, 2026, Professor Chinelo Vanessa Ezeocha (Class of 1997), a professor of Food Science and Technology at Michael Okpara University, Umudike, delivered a presentation titled “Safe, Healthy, and Sustainable Diets” as part of DIAA’s monthly Knowledge Sharing Series.

She explained how food choices affect our health, local economy and environment.

1. A Good Diet Has Three Dimensions

Professor Ezeocha divided the subject into three connected dimensions: safe diets, healthy diets and sustainable diets.

A safe diet contains food that does not cause harm when it is prepared and consumed as intended.

A healthy diet provides the energy and nutrients the body needs. It should be balanced, varied and appropriate for a person’s age, health, activity level and physiological needs.

A sustainable diet meets our present nutritional needs without preventing future generations from meeting theirs.

These three dimensions must work together.

Food may be nutritious but unsafe because it is contaminated. It may be safe and nutritious but unsustainable because its production damages the environment or wastes scarce resources.

2. Food Safety Starts Before Food Reaches Our Plates

Food safety does not begin in the kitchen.

It starts with production and continues through harvesting, transportation, processing, storage, preparation and service.

Professor Ezeocha identified three major categories of food hazards.

Biological hazards include bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. Physical hazards include stones, glass, hair, insects and pieces of metal. Chemical hazards include pesticide residues, heavy metals, natural toxins and unsafe substances from processing or packaging materials.

Poor handling at any stage can turn good food into dangerous food.

She advised members to wash their hands before preparing meals, use clean water, sanitise food-contact surfaces and keep raw food separate from cooked or ready-to-eat food.

Perishable foods should be stored at safe temperatures. Meat, fish, eggs and other foods should be cooked properly. Spoiled, mouldy, expired or adulterated food should be avoided.

We can’t determine food safety by appearance alone. Food may look and smell normal and still contain harmful microorganisms or chemicals.

3. Healthy Eating Is About Balance, Variety and Moderation

The Nigerian Food Guide shared in Professor Ezeocha’s presentation.

Professor Ezeocha used the food pyramid to explain the proportions in which different food groups should be consumed.

A healthy diet should contain appropriate amounts of whole grains, roots and tubers, fruits, vegetables, protein foods, healthy fats and water.

She encouraged members to eat the rainbow by including fruits and vegetables of different colours in their meals. Different colours often represent different nutrients and protective compounds.

She also advised members to favour minimally processed foods and limit excess salt, added sugar, sweetened drinks, saturated fats, repeatedly fried foods, ultra-processed foods and excessive alcohol.

People who enjoy red meat do not necessarily have to stop eating it completely. They can choose leaner portions and reduce fatty cuts.

Palm oil contains saturated and unsaturated fats and should be used in moderation.

The lesson was simple: healthy eating is about making better food choices and avoiding excess.

4. Indigenous Foods Deserve More Attention

Pigeon pea (Fiofio), one of the indigenous Nigerian crops featured in Professor Ezeocha’s presentation.

Many Nigerians overlook indigenous foods while embracing imported or heavily processed alternatives.

Professor Ezeocha encouraged greater use of locally produced legumes, cereals, roots, tubers, fruits and vegetables.

Foods such as pigeon pea and African yam bean can provide valuable nutrients, support local farmers and reduce the environmental costs associated with transporting food over long distances.

She also spoke about collaborative research to improve the nutritional quality, cooking time and attractiveness of products made from underutilised indigenous crops.

Supporting local food improves our diets.

It also creates economic opportunities for farmers, preserves biodiversity and protects valuable food knowledge that could otherwise disappear.

5. Food Waste and Sustainable Eating Require Us to Think Beyond Ourselves

Food waste goes beyond throwing away leftovers.

Food may be lost during harvesting, transportation, storage, processing and marketing before it reaches the consumer.

Unreliable electricity worsens the problem in Nigeria. Traders and households may lose meat, fish, vegetables and other perishable foods because they cannot keep them at safe temperatures.

Better harvesting methods, improved storage, reliable electricity, meal planning and sensible portion control can reduce food loss and waste.

Leftovers should be stored and reheated safely or put to productive use where possible.

When we waste food, we also waste the land, water, energy, labour and money used to produce it.

Memorable Quote from the Presentation

“Food must not just be available. It must be safe, nutritious, affordable, and produced in ways that protect the environment.”

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This month, July 2026, features Uzoma Ekwebelem from Class of 2002.

Uzoma Ekwebelem is a technology executive, entrepreneur, board member, and business leader with over two decades of experience leading business transformation, technology adoption, and growth initiatives across Africa.

She holds a first degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering and a Master’s degree in Technology and Business Management, University of Manchester, Manchester Business School, United Kingdom. 

She is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arya Marketplace, a technology -enabled B2B wholesale marketplace connecting African manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors to buyers across the continent. 

Prior to entrepreneurship, she built a distinguished corporate career with global technology leaders IBM and Oracle, where she held several leadership positions spanning enterprise technology, cloud computing, and public sector transformation.

She is passionate about entrepreneurship, innovation, women’s leadership, and Africa’s economic transformation. She is also committed to creating opportunities and empowering the next generation.

What inspired your interest in Electrical and Electronics Engineering?

My Dad.

He was my idol growing up. I watched him build a business and a factory from the ground up, and I simply wanted to be like him. At the same time, I was always fascinated by how things worked and enjoyed solving problems.

Engineering appealed to me because it combined analytical thinking with the ability to create practical solutions to real-world problems. Looking back, it was the perfect foundation for the technology and business career I would later build.

What were the most important lessons you learned working for IBM and Oracle?

IBM and Oracle taught me how to build businesses that can scale.

I learned the importance of structure, delegation, accountability, and ownership. As organizations grow, success becomes less about individual effort and more about building systems and teams that can consistently deliver results.

The second lesson was that relationships are often more important than transactions. Long-term success is built on trust, credibility, and the ability to work effectively with people.

The third lesson was that technology is never really about technology. It is about solving business and societal problems. The most successful solutions are those that create measurable value for the people they serve.

As Cloud Country Leader for Nigeria and Public Sector Director at Oracle, you worked on major technology initiatives. What achievement from that period stands out most to you?

What stands out most is not a single project but the opportunity to contribute to initiatives that impacted the lives of millions of Nigerians.

I had the privilege of working on projects that helped digitize government payroll and HR systems, customs and border modernization initiatives to support trade and exports, health insurance systems, and pension administration platforms.

One moment I will never forget was when a police officer walked up to me after a meeting and thanked us because, for the first time in his career, salaries were being paid on time. He explained that in the past, officers often had to bribe people or go through unnecessary hurdles just to access what they had earned.

Another memorable moment was receiving feedback from a pensioner who had struggled for years to receive pension payments and finally began receiving them through a digitized system without needing to beg anyone.

Those experiences reminded me that technology projects are never just about software or systems. Behind every project are real people whose lives can be improved when things work better.

Beyond the technology itself, I am proud of the teams I built, the people I mentored, and the leaders who grew through those experiences.

You’re the Founder and CEO of Arya Marketplace. What inspired you to build Arya Marketplace?

Arya Marketplace was inspired by both personal experience and research.

I grew up in Aba and come from a manufacturing background, so I saw firsthand the challenges manufacturers faced in finding new markets and growing their businesses.

During my Master’s degree research, I spent time speaking with merchants in the Aba leather and footwear cluster, and many of them described the same challenges—limited market access, trust issues, fragmented supply chains, and difficulty reaching buyers beyond their immediate environment.

Years later, when I started my own retail e-commerce business, I encountered many of the same problems. The experience was frustrating enough that I decided this was a problem worth solving.

Arya Marketplace was created to help manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and buyers source products cheaper, safer, and faster while unlocking access to larger markets across Africa.

What future do you see for African businesses when technology is used to connect markets?

I believe the future is incredibly exciting.

Technology has the potential to remove geographical barriers, improve trust, increase transparency, reduce transaction costs, and connect businesses to customers far beyond their immediate communities.

As more African businesses embrace digital platforms, we will see stronger regional trade, greater competitiveness, increased job creation, and more locally made products reaching national and international markets.

Technology can become one of the greatest enablers of Africa’s economic transformation.

What’s the most difficult part of building a business from the ground up?

The most difficult part is dealing with uncertainty.

In a corporate environment, many systems, resources, and structures already exist. As an entrepreneur, you are building while simultaneously learning, adapting, and solving problems you have never encountered before.

There are moments when progress feels slow and outcomes are uncertain. What keeps you going is resilience, belief in your vision, and the willingness to keep moving forward even when you do not yet have all the answers.

You received multiple awards for exceptional performance. What do those recognitions mean to you?]

I am grateful for every recognition I have received, but I view awards as a by-product rather than the objective.

To me, they represent the collective effort of teams, mentors, colleagues, customers, and partners who contributed to those achievements. They are reminders of what is possible when people work together toward a shared goal.

Ultimately, the impact we create and the opportunities we help others access are far more important than the awards themselves.

In what ways did Dority help shape your confidence and ambition?

I certainly was not a model student at Dority! (LOL)

But Dority provided an environment that emphasized learning, discipline, and excellence.

I believe many of the experiences we went through helped build resilience and prepared us for the realities of life beyond the classroom.

Dority was all about excellence. It taught me that excellence should be pursued consistently and that ambition should never be limited by circumstances.

Those values have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to influence how I approach both business and life.

What are some of your fondest memories from your time at Dority?

Without a doubt, walking home with my classmates.

The walk home was an experience in itself. We would gist, laugh, buy ice cream, share stories, and simply enjoy each other’s company.

Looking back, some of my fondest memories are the friendships, shared experiences, and sense of community that came with being part of the school.

Dority was where many lifelong friendships were formed, and those relationships remain one of the greatest gifts from that period of my life.

What advice would you give to current Dority students and younger alumni who want to build corporate careers but are unsure where to begin?

Start before you feel ready.

Focus on building skills, not just collecting qualifications. Be curious, ask questions, seek mentors, and take every opportunity to learn.

Do not be afraid to start small. Every successful career is built one step at a time. Consistency often matters more than brilliance.

Most importantly, understand that your career is a marathon, not a sprint. Invest in your character, your reputation, your relationships, and your ability to keep learning. Those assets will open more doors than any job title ever will.

Would you like to be featured in Member’s Corner?

To indicate interest, please fill this short form: https://dorityalumni.org/members-corner-interest-form/

It takes less than 2 minutes to complete.

For twenty-five years, from 2000 to 2025, Dority International Early Learning School has held the distinction of being the top-performing secondary school in Nigeria in the Senior School Certificate Examination (Internal) conducted by the National Examinations Council (NECO).

The official acknowledgment, conveyed in an invitation letter from NECO’s Office of the Registrar dated April 10, 2026,  affirms what generations of Dority students have long known: that excellence at Dority is cultivated, sustained and expected .

Many members of DIAA carry this excellence into banks, hospitals, laboratories, courtrooms, creative industries and different workplaces across the world.

As NECO prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, where Dority will be specially honored, the question is how do we, as alumni, help sustain and expand this legacy of excellence?

The answer lies in continued engagement, mentorship, giving back and staying connected to our alma mater.

Congratulations to Mrs Zovannah Onumah, the staff and students of Dority for this well-deserved recognition. (Click this link to read the invitation letter Dority NECO invitation)

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This month, April 2026, features Uzodimma Odimuko from Class of 2000.

Uzodimma Odimuko is a distinguished global technology leader with over two decades of experience driving digital transformation across North America, Africa, and the Middle East. Currently serving as Director and Head of Sales Partnerships at Nokia Canada, Uzo manages high-impact strategic alliances within the telecommunications sector. 

He holds an MBA from Imperial College Business School and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Uzo sits on the board of Ontario’s oldest Christian school, leads a syndicate of angel investors focused on early-stage technology ventures, and is an active member of LeaderImpact. Based in Innisfil, Ontario, he balances his professional pursuits with a commitment to mentorship, teaching, and his family.

What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned while working outside Nigeria?

Be patient, life is not in a hurry. 

Critical-thinking, careful decision-making, and effective planning underpins the success of the developed countries. 

The color of your skin does not define how far you go in life. 

How has exposure to emerging technologies influenced your long-term thinking?

I operate at the intersection of technology and economic outcomes. It drives my  long-term thinking. I have made a career out of this. 

Many professionals chase growth aggressively, how do you decide which opportunities  are truly worth pursuing? 

I make my choices based on alignment with my long-term goals and expected  impact. 

How do you maintain clarity and focus when leading teams through uncertainty or rapid  change? 

I communicate business vision and objectives with clarity. 

Business objectives must be measurable. If an activity is linked to a measurable outcome, it gets prioritized; everything else is just noise. I keep everyone in the team focused on the main objective. 

Tough times make resilient teams. Tough times create the invaluable opportunities to learn and grow the team. 

You’ve worked in highly competitive global markets, what differentiates a good sales  leader from a truly exceptional one? 

An exceptional leader must be a fast learner, multi-talented, and demonstrate  thought leadership. 

He or she must have the ability to influence clients’ key decision makers – economic buyers. 

Must be trustworthy and credible. 

Must be an effective listener, be observant, and spend time observing how the  market consumes his/her products. 

Must be decisive and cut through the noise.

Must build and nurture relationship capital. 

Must be someone who leads with inspiration. 

What does success look like to you now compared to earlier in your career?

I am created and blessed with skills for a purpose, which goes beyond self and  immediate family. I consider making a significant contribution to the world, my communities, and industry as a mark of fulfillment and success. I feel happy when I give  to others. 

Was there ever a moment in your career where things didn’t go as planned? How did  you recover and bounce back? 

I secured a multi-million dollar 5-year contract, which was executed poorly. This was due to poor end-to-end solution design, poor roadmap planning, very tight margins, and lack of executive ownership at customer organization. Objectives were not clearly defined and monitored. It hurt our reputation. We should have said no to the deal. We recovered the account by going the extra mile in the execution of other high-profile projects with the customer. 

In what ways did Dority shape your mindset? 

Dority taught me the invaluable lessons of discipline and hard work. They don’t break you; they make you successful. 

Are there any specific values or habits from your Dority days that still influence how you  lead today?

Yes. They include: 

Hard work. 

Efficient time-management and elimination of waste. 

Continuous learning and improvement.  

What advice would you give to young Dority alumni seeking to break into global industries like tech or consulting? 

Define what you want in life and the aspect of technology or consulting you want to focus on. People chase too many things. Don’t make that mistake. 

Never underestimate yourself; believe in your God-given skills and abilities. Trust in God always. 

Be ambitious, humble, and imbibe a life of continuous learning. 

Learn to make decisions carefully. Always examine your life and audit previous decisions.