Ikenna Ohiaeri

Member’s Corner: Henrietta Balogu

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Henrietta Balogu from Class of 2011.

Henrietta Balogu

How would you describe yourself?
I am a go-getter. I get things done. I set goals and do my very best, with God by my side, to achieve said goals.

What are your academic qualifications?
I have LL.B (Bachelor of law), B.L(Barrister at Law) and LL.M (Master of Laws) degrees. I also have a certification in Project Management Professional.

What’s your area of specialization as a lawyer and how long have you been practising?
I am mostly into corporate practice. I’ve been practising for two years.

What makes you different from the average lawyer?
My ability to draw reasonable and logical conclusions from limited information. The skills you need for your ideal career are something you work on and develop over time. I am like a sponge right now, trying to soak up as much knowledge as I can. The key to being a great lawyer is research, research, research.

What motivated you to study law?
Aristotle said, “Law is reason free from passion”. Law affects our everyday lives, whether it’s driving a car, buying something from a shop, getting into a fight, being employed or renting a house. My motivation to study law came from watching my father practice. This made me realize the power and impact of law over people’s lives.

What do you remember the most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
The sounds of Mr Bright Adawisi’s floggings, lol. I remember the assemblies, especially Thursdays and Fridays and I miss the hymn singing as well.

Where do you think you will be in the next five years?
I plan on developing my skill set because I’m somewhat of a greenhorn. Over the next five years, I see myself taking on as many complex assignments as possible and by the end of that period I’d like to look back and give myself a pat on the back

What do lawyers do that most people are not aware of?
Most people don’t understand that lawyers are friends with each other. We are a close-knit group. Two lawyers after a heated argument in the courtroom can go partying or grab lunch together. We are not enemies. It’s just business, nothing personal.

Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
Being a legal practitioner. By God’s grace, I have more proud moments ahead of me.

Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I am passionate about human rights, judicial reforms and corporate governance issues in the legal profession.

If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student, what advice would you give him/her?
Enjoy your time at Dority. Don’t fret too much about what you are passing through. The experience will mould and shape you for the future. This probably sounds cliche but in time you will realize it. I will always cherish my years at Dority the lessons, the foundations and the relationships.

In what way can the alumni benefit from your services?
Consulting me for legal services. Definitely not for free, lol, but at a subsidized rate for the alumni.

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Alumni Magazine, Member's Corner

Member’s Corner: Cynthia Uduma

by Ikenna Ohiaeri

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Cynthia Uduma, from Class of 2012.

Cynthia Uduma

How would you describe yourself?
I am Cynthia; a sociable, adventurous and fun-loving person. Although I seem introverted to people who don’t know me, I am motivated and passionate about things I care about.

What did you study after graduating from Dority International Early Learning School?
I studied Information and Communication Engineering at Covenant University, but I’m currently working as a Business Development Manager.

What exactly does a Business Development Manager do?

A Business Development Manager is responsible for overall business growth. She generates leads, researches opportunities for investment and asset acquisition, tracks market trends, establishes and maintains client relationship and guides long-term objectives to meet the needs of the business.

What makes you different from the average Business Development Manager?
I have the passion of seeing businesses succeed, especially small and medium scale enterprises in Nigeria. My passion is reflected in every project I handle and I spare no energy when working to grow a business.

How did you end up working in your current company?
I needed a company with a global view who were invested in employee welfare and development. I also wanted a place I could add value and a team of energetic people who could challenge me intellectually.

What do you remember the most about your time as a student of Dority?
I remember being flogged on my birthday in JS2 while my mother was waiting downstairs with birthday goodies. I wanted to show her the bruises on my palm but she had gone by the time I got to the reception.

Where do you want to be in the next five years?
I want to be at a point where I am more equipped to help people achieve their business goals.

Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
I am proud of the level of growth and self awareness I have attained. I am also proud that I am highly sought after in my field.

Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I am passionate about women and child welfare, mental health and education.

If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student, what advice would you give him/her?

You never get this opportunity again, so make the best use of it. Take every chance to learn something new like photography, computer skills, dance and so on. Learn tolerance and be accommodating because every person won’t be like you. Make friends and build relationships because life is all about people.

Do you want to be featured in Member’s Corner? Send an email with the subject ‘Interview’ to admin@dorityalumni.org

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Alumni Magazine

Aim for the Moon, Alumni Tells Dority Students

by Ikenna Ohiaeri

Members of the alumni with Mrs Zovannah Onumah on May 17, 2019. From left, Uzoma Isaac (Class of 1998), Ikenna Ohiaeri (Class of 1997), Okechukwu Onye (Class of1997) and Emeka Chibuike (Class of 1998)

On the 17th of May, three members of Dority International Alumni Association, Okechukwu Onye, Ikenna Ohiaeri and Emeka Chibuike, visited Dority International Secondary School.

Their visit was aimed at encouraging Dority students to make wise career choices.

About one hundred and twenty students from SS1 to SS3 assembled in the school auditorium to listen to the representatives of the alumni.

Okechukwu Onye spoke first. He told the students to broaden their search for a career and advised them to study courses they were passionate about, instead of focusing on prestigious courses like Medicine, Law and Mass Communication.

Okechukwu Onye interacting with the students

He talked about Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, who became successful pursuing her passion as a writer and mentioned courses like Music and Theater Arts, which were considered irrelevant in the past but have become lucrative today.

He narrated his own career journey; from withstanding parental pressure to study Medicine, to working as a safety engineer for a multinational firm.

Finally, he read Ekeledirichukwu Jinanwa’s interesting article, Navigating Career Choices, to the students.

Ikenna Ohiaeri speaking to the students

Ikenna Ohiaeri discussed the importance of acquiring skills. He explained the difference between a career and a skill: a career requires lengthy education while a skill could be acquired with minimal training. He listed baking and writing as examples of skills that could be easily acquired and talked about highly educated professionals who were making more money from their skills than the income from their chosen careers.

Emeka Chibuike spoke on the importance of knowledge, good health, social relationships and spirituality. He advised the students to develop their intellectual and emotional capabilities if they wanted to succeed in the real world.

He talked about time management and the need for students to curtail playing video games and watching TV shows.

He told the students they were lucky to be in one of the best schools in Nigeria and encouraged them to aim high when setting goals.

Emeka Chibuike giving his speech

“Aim for the moon,” Emeka said. “If you fail, you’ll land on the stars.”

His goal-setting advice was received with applause.

Mrs Zovannah Onumah thanked the alumni for visiting the school, saying she was proud of their achievements.

Mr Bright Adawisi also thanked the alumni for dropping by and urged the students to emulate the standards set by the alumni members.

The visit ended with the enrollment of SS3 students into Dority International Alumni Association and the presentation of an alumni funded website to the school.

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Member's Corner adaeze okonkwo, Class of 2014, Member's Corner

Member’s Corner: Adaeze Okonkwo

by Ikenna Ohiaeri

Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Associtation members. This week features Adaeze Okonkwo, from Class of 2014.

picture of Adaeze Okonkwo — Adaeze Okonkwo

How would you describe yourself?

I’m a quiet, shy and hardworking girl, who is always looking for opportunities to do better and achieve greatness.

What do you remember the most about your time as a student of Dority International Early Learning School?

The extra lessons on Saturdays and evenings. Although I didn’t enjoy attending those extra lessons, I believe they contributed a lot to my success.

What are you studying at university?

I’m studying Nursing at Brandon University, Canada.

How did schooling in Dority help you cope as a foreign student in Canada?

The knowledge I acquired in Dority made a huge contribution to my academic success. Dority nurtured me into a responsible and brilliant student.

What motivates you to study hard?

The dream of becoming a graduate and a passion and determination to support people and improve their quality of life.

What is the biggest difference between Canada and Nigeria?

The standard of living in Canada is high and it is a safe and peaceful country where citizens and residents enjoy contented lives free from substantial hardship.

Where do you want to be in the next five years?

I plan to work for a few years as a nurse, then apply to a medical school where I can specialize in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Which issues or topics are you passionate about?

Maternal and child health.

Which of your achievements are you most proud of?

Getting into a nursing program in Canada.

If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student, what advice would you give him/her?

Study hard and embrace every opportunity with an open mind. It is okay to fail, but never fail to try. Keep persevering!

Do you want to be featured in Member’s Corner? Send an email with the subject ‘Interview’ to admin@dorityalumni.org

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