May 28 has been set aside every year as World Menstrual Hygiene Day. It was initiated by German-based NGO WASH in 2014 to benefit women and girls worldwide. The 28th was selected to acknowledge that 28 days is the average length of the menstrual cycle.
Therefore, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019, Chinenye Ngwogu, a member of Dority International Alumni Association Class of 2012 and her fellow Absumites (Abia State University Medical Students Association-ABSUMSA) had the privilege to be at our alma mater, Dority International Secondary School, Aba where they spoke on the theme: “Operation Eat Right Always” (OPERA). They also used the avenue to commemorate the World Menstrual Hygiene Day.
They educated the students on healthy living and menstrual hygiene.
Fruits and sanitary pads were shared to students and teachers, there was also a question and answer session with prizes.
Mrs Zovannah Onumah and Dority teachers with members of ABSUMSA
Dority students welcome ABSUMSA to Dority International Secondary School
Dority Students listen to members of ABSUMSA
Cross section of Dority students at the OPERA campaign
Dority students with free sanitary pads from ABSUMSA to commemorate World Menstrual Hygiene Day
Members of ABSUMSA with Dority students
Mrs Zovannah Onumah chatting with members of ABSUMSA
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
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.
When you’re around him, you believe that anything is possible: goals can be achieved, problems solved and challenges overcome.
That unwavering confidence has propelled him to the top of his profession.
After graduating from Dority International Secondary School in 2001, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Abia State University (2004), a Master of Science degree in Energy Economics from the University of Aberdeen (2009) and a Master of Public Administration degree in Economic Policy Management from Columbia University, New York (2019).
Emeka Ochu with the Regional Director for Africa, United Nations Development Programme
He has worked as
Funds Transfer Officer, First City Monument Bank (2006-2007)
Senior Banking Executive, First Bank (2008)
He is currently
Member, Nigerian Economics Society
Member, Energy Institute, United Kingdom
Member, International Association for Energy Economics
Director, Alumni Affairs, Columbia University Program in Economic Policy Management
Energy Research Assistant, Columbia University Center on Global Energy Policy
Electricity Consumption, Exports & Economic Growth: Evidence from Nigeria
Emeka never misses an opportunity to counsel a Dority student and is so proud of Dority that he visited the school with his wife and son.
For his excellence in economics, unquenchable thirst for success and love for Dority International Early Learning School, Emeka Ochu is our May Alumnus of the Month.
