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 Dike from Class of 2004.
Dike Ndukwe
How would you describe yourself?
I am Dike Ndukwe. I believe anything is possible, this pushes me to go all the way to achieve goals.
What are your academic qualifications?
I have a B.Engr Information and Communication Technology from Covenant University.
Are you a member of any association?
I am a member of Nigeria Institute of Management.
Where do you work presently?
I am a realtor in Abuja.
What keeps you busy outside the office?
I love Jesus and I do a lot of activities for the church. I also enjoy mentoring young teens in my local church.
Which projects have you handled and which one challenged you the most?
I have been involved in many projects. My most challenging project was managing a 54-hectare site with 602 houses. My team and I achieved great things, making sure best practices were maintained on the site. The major challenge I had was managing a team of more experienced engineers. I was much younger than them but I carried them along by God’s Grace. I managed the site for 5years and the estate totally sold out.
What motivates you?
I am motivated by the reviews I get from happy clients.
What do you remember most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
I remember one time we went to Umuahia to play a soccer match against Ibeku high school. They thoroughly beat us, to the point that our striker ran off the pitch and didn’t play again. When we returned to Dority, we jubilated as if we won. The whole school thought we won until we told them the real story. We all laughed. Awesome time in Dority.
Have you been to Dority since you graduated?
I have been back once but I wasn’t able to engage with the students.
Where do you think you will be in the next 5 years?
I would have set up the businesses I have in mind and grown spiritually and intellectually. I believe I would be married by then as well.
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
I would go back to the project I described earlier. Pulling off that project made me proud.
Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I am passionate about entrepreneurship for younger generations.
If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student today, what advice would you give him/her?
Believe in yourself. Discover your talents and purpose in life. Be close to God. Study hard and improve your entrepreneurship spirit and never be afraid to try things even if they seem impossible.
Where do you see Dority International Alumni Association in the next 5 years?
I see the alumni association networking with every single member and setting up a system where we can mentor and give back to the institution that shaped us.
Member’s Corner takes a closer look at Dority International Alumni Association members. This week features Okechukwu Nwankwo from Class of 2001.
Okechukwu Nwankwo
How would you describe yourself?
Okechukwu Nwankwo is a hardworking and creative person. A wonder to myself most times.
What are your academic qualifications?
I have a BSc in Applied Geophysics and Physical Oceanography from the University of Calabar.
What are your job experiences and where do you work presently?
I worked for Ebonylife TV as a set dresser and assistant art director from 2012 to 2016. Right now, I’m a freelance art director. My media firm is Frosted Media.
What keeps you busy outside the office?
I started a women empowerment organization. I give seminars and encourage young women, especially those between twelve and twenty-five years, to be the best they can be in life. They shouldn’t be discouraged by what society thinks about them, they should be bold and show that they have the same potential for greatness as men.
Which projects have you handled?
I have worked on films like Wedding Party 1 and 2, Royal Hibiscus Hotel, King of Boys, New Money, The Setup, Bling Lagosians, Ojo’s in the House, Up North and the drama series, Dere. I have also worked on TV commercials for Maggi, Glo, Star, Gulder and Onga.
Which project challenged you the most?
I have had a few challenging projects but The Setup was the most challenging. The script was deep creative wise and I had to imagine a lot of the art direction and develop a concept. The script was so challenging that the entire production team had several meetings about it. We had to change locations to fit the script and the film’s characters and bring in coloured walls because we couldn’t paint the walls of the houses we rented to shoot the film. It was awesome at the end. Truly amazing.
What motivates you?
The fact that I love beautiful things helps to motivate me when I work. A lot of Nollywood films lack set translations and depictions. Standing apart from the crowd motivates me to do awesome stuff.
What do you remember most about your time as a student at Dority International Early Learning School?
I remember a lot of happy times as a Dority student but the goals I scored during inter-house sports and break periods are what I remember most. I hardly played soccer again and it hurts me till today. My classmates took football seriously.
Have you been to Dority since you graduated?
I went to Dority a few years ago and I barely recognized any of the students but they did remember me. They clapped and shouted and called out my name as I passed the windows. It was surreal.
Where do you think you will be in the next 5 years?
In the next five years, I’ll be one of the biggest filmmakers in Nigeria. I’ll be all around the world making my own films and bringing joy to homes. Maybe I’ll consider politics too.
Which of your achievements are you most proud of?
I am proud of even the smallest jobs I have done. Because nobody gave me a chance. I didn’t study film making but God led me through the right path to what makes me happy.
Which issues or topics are you passionate about?
I’m passionate about jobs and about women and the way women have been relegated to nothing in this county and all over the world. Ten years ago, I started a campaign against child molestation and rape. I am a different person when these topics are broached or I’m working on a case concerning this. I am also passionate about the service of God.
If you had the chance to mentor a Dority student today, what advice would you give him/her?
Look at yourself and see what makes you happy, what you will wake up every day and be happy to do. Whatever that is, follow it because life is too short to struggle at a job.
Where do you see Dority International Alumni Association in the next 5 years?
The alumni association’s growth is quite fast. My own class of 2001 started something too and it’s the best group I’ve joined in years. I see Dority alumni making great strides in the next five years.
