Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Chijioke Nkechi Eze from Class of 2017.
Chijioke Nkechi Eze
How will you describe yourself?
Focused, determined and unique.
What course are you studying?
I’m a Law student at the University of Uyo.
Are you a member of any association?
No
How do you spend your leisure?
Reading books and spending quality time with people I love.
What motivates you in the things you do?
My family and God.
What do you remember most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
The fun memories, the people I met and the times I got into trouble.
How often have you gone to Dority since after you left there?
Not so often because I am hardly around. However, I try to give advice to my younger friends whenever we meet.
Where do you think you will be in the next five years?
I will be in a better place and position in life.
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
Being able to do the course I love. Not many people have such an opportunity.
If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student today, what advice would you give him/her?
You can have fun because you are a teenager, and you only live once. However, read your books and have a good Christian life, because those are as important, if not more important at this time in your life.
Where do you see the alumni association in the next 5yrs?
Thriving immensely, hopefully
Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Shalonda Ofoegbu from Class of 2000.
Shalonda Ofoegbu
How would you describe yourself?
I’m a God-fearing, kind and loving person. I am also creative, innovative, resourceful, ambitious and authentic. A natural leader and problem solver.
What are your academic qualifications?
I have a Bachelor’s degree and a Master’s degree in Social Work, with a minor in Gerontology. I have completed three and a half years of postgraduate course work in forensic clinical psychology. This is currently on hold. I hope to complete it next year.
Are you a member of any association?
Yes. I am a member of the National Association of Social Workers.
What is your job experience and what do you do presently?
I have a variety of job experience but I would focus on what I do presently. I investigate child abuse for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services. I am an Emergency Response Children’s Social Worker. I have worked in this position for 8 years. Although it is a risky, challenging and emotionally draining job, I love what I do. The rewards – ensuring that children are safe, either at home or in protective custody, makes it all worth the effort.
What keeps you busy outside your regular work?
I love to help and assist people. I spend my free time assisting others in whatever capacity I can. I am currently mentoring an individual who is in a graduate program right now. I also spend my free time shopping, catching up on sleep or watching my favorite TV programs. I love to spend time with my family, friends and loved ones. I also spend a lot of time seeking spiritual matters.
What projects have you handled?
I have not participated in any projects in recent times apart from work-related projects.
What are the most challenging projects you’ve ever done?
All my work-related projects are very challenging because I make important decisions that impact child safety and change people’s lives forever.
What motivates you?
My motivation comes from within and it’s not necessarily physical. The passion to be extraordinary and the desire to be the best in what I do and accomplish great things is a motivating factor for me.
What do you remember most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
Even though I got into a lot of trouble back then for being mischievous, I remember the fun times I shared with my classmates and teachers, including the excursions. The experiences I had at D.I.S.S taught me a lot. I cherish the relationships I created and nurtured during those formative years. Surprisingly, most of my closest friends are my high school classmates from D.I.S.S.
Have you been to Dority since you graduated?
Unfortunately, I have not visited Dority since I graduated in 2000. I would make it a goal to visit during my next trip to Nigeria.
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
My long-term goals include marriage, starting a family and jump-starting a second line of income. Having multiple streams of income is a factor in building long term wealth.
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
My personal relationship with God is something I am very proud of because, without Him, I am nothing. All the things I have–life, basic necessities and a good measure of health, are because of Him and for this, I’m forever grateful.
Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about social problems–poverty, homelessness, unequal distribution of wealth, crime and mass incarceration to mention just a few.
If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student today, what advice would you give him/her?
I would tell him/her to try to find his or her passion early on in life. Although sometimes you figure this out later on in early adulthood, whenever you find this passion, don’t take shortcuts. Taking shortcuts is shortchanging yourself. The more shortcuts you take, the less you’ll learn and grow as a person. Nurture a desire to educate yourself on things you don’t know. Ignorance is not bliss. Don’t feel bad if you don’t have it all figured out. Don’t forget that life is a journey of learning and maturing. Relax and enjoy the endless journey of learning.
Where do you see Dority International Alumni Association in the next 5 years?
The alumni can only progress if we (all members of the alumni) collectively participate, volunteer our time and support this wonderful association that has been set up. My hope for the alumni association is constant progress and to continue to live up to our school motto–“Sursum ad Summum”.
Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Chinonyerem Emefu from Class of 1999.
Chinonyerem Emefu
How would you describe yourself?
My name is Chinonyerem Joy Emefu. I am an introvert, a perfectionist and a very emotional person.
What are your academic qualifications?
I have a B.Tech in Food Science and Technology from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Are you a member of any association?
Yes.National Institute for Food Scientists.
What is your job experience?
I worked with Zenith Bank as a teller and customer service personnel before leaving the bank.
What do you do presently?
Brand consultancy and online sales.
What motivates you?
Self-interest.
What do you remember most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
So many things come to mind; I can’t forget Mr Ineh and how he walked down the corridor observing students. I also remember the sit-down assembly, the French club and some of the songs Mr.Abosi Mukete taught us.
Have you been to Dority since you graduated?
Yes, that should be in 2004 or 2005. I participated in an interactive session with the students.
Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about helping people. I also love music and baking.
If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student today, what advice would you give him/her?
Take your education seriously. Have an open mind in life and always follow your heart and passion!
Where do you see Dority International Alumni Association in the next 5 years?
I’m glad the alumni is waxing strong. We can always do better and keep rising to the highest.
Gift Iheme is one of those rare individuals who are good in both art and science subjects. In Dority International Secondary School, she was a member of the Press Club and founder of the Bible Club.
After graduating from Dority in 2013, she obtained a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (2019).
During her time as a medical student, she was elected Director of Welfare, the University of Nigeria Medical Students Association (UNMSA) and established a revolving fund for financially challenged students who couldn’t pay school fees, rent and examination levies.
The Parrot, UNMSA’s monthly magazine, chose Gift Iheme as the June Personality of the Month for being a role model and source of hope to medical students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Gift is passionate about female sexual and reproductive health and has been involved in numerous medical outreaches to schools and rural areas across Nigeria.
Gift Iheme on a medical outreach
She’s a member of
Medical Research and Humanitarian Society (MedRhus)
Medix Frontiers (UNEC Medics Against AIDS)
Christian Medical and Dental Association (CMDA)
Gift believes she can succeed in whatever she does. She loves to act and recently landed a role in the IROKO TV series, Ojukwu. She also enjoys writing and event planning.
Gift Iheme on the set of Ojukwu
Ojukwu trailer and a scene featuring Gift Iheme
Gift is enthusiastic about Dority International Early Learning School. She visited Dority a few years ago and advised the SS3 students to pick up the habit of reading books and go to the library more often. She also advised them to have a good relationship with their teachers.
Despite her tight schedule as a medical student, Gift volunteered to help create and edit content for the alumni website, dorityalumni.org.
For her commendable efforts in reducing the dropout rate of medical students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, her proficiency in arts and medical science and her desire to uplift Dority International Alumni Association and Dority International Early Learning School, Gift Iheme is our August Alumna of the Month.
