ZNF COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Christian Dirisu, BEng – Christian obtained a bachelor’s degree in Petroleum Engineering from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Nigeria. He is a Tech Enthusiast, a certified Google IT specialist, and has in the recent years worked as a Remote Web Designer and Data Researcher for Research students. He is a recipient of the prestigious Nigeria Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF) scholarship with which he is currently pursuing his MSc in France.
Role: Director, ZNF Communications Team. Facilitate the Foundation’s reach and online presence.
Dominica Chisom Emelife – Dominica is a BSc.Ed Chemistry graduate of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria and a recipient of the 2021 Federal Government Scholarship Award. Using social media and design tools, she contributes to the improvement of public health through mental health, education, and psychology by volunteering and working with organizations that focus on promoting these areas of interest. She also works with the Human Resources department of KPMG, Nigeria, where she identifies talents and assist in their recruitment.
Role: Deputy Director, ZNF Communications Team. Manages the ZNF Facebook page, and prepares minutes for the ZNF Communications Team meetings.
Uthman Umar Shanono – Uthman has a bachelors degree in Biochemistry from Bayero University Kano. He is currently pursuing a masters degree in Biotechnology at the Nigerian Defence Academy Postgraduate School Kaduna. He is passionate about Molecular Biology.
Role: Facilitate the foundation’s communication and reach.
Grace Uregwu Ike – Grace has a bachelors degree in Education Chemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. She is an aspiring Pharmaceutical Chemist, interested in the research and discovery of drugs. Aside academics, she is a baker, makeup artist and loves music. She recently acquired digital skills in Microsoft office ( Excel, Power point, word) and in Digital marketing and content creation from Side hustle internship 5.0.
Role: Write summaries of monthly seminars and prepare minutes of ZNF communications team meetings.
Somadina Uzodinma – Somadina is a Medical Laboratory Scientist who has passion for health, academics, leadership and human capacity development. He hail from Nnewi-South, Anambra State, Nigeria. He graduated from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka Anambra State and is looking forward to pursuing graduate studies with a research interest in metabolic diseases and cancer.
Role: Participate in promoting ZNF activities.
Grace Jagila Haruna – Grace holds a bachelor in accounting degree from Afe Babalola University, Nigeria. She has her Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria ( ICAN). She is also entrepreneur with a business focus on skincare products.
Role: Participate in the design of flyers and coordinates the ZNF Meet a Mentor Series
Annette Okafor – Annette obtained a bachelor’s degree in Electrical Electronics Engineering from Madonna University, Nigeria and recently obtained MSc in Data Analytics with Distinction from the University of Bolton, UK. She is an IT professional with years of experience in the ICT industry. Her background cuts across oil and gas, education, marketing and the telecommunications sector. In her spare time, she enjoys working in the media team of her church to ensure smooth execution of planned out activities.
Role: Oversees the video editing of the foundation in addition to fulfilling tasks related to the communications team
Onyinyechi Onwuchekwa – Onyinyechi is an undergraduate student at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, where she is studying Science Laboratory Technology. As part of her curriculum, she is currently undertaking a 6-months Industrial Training at the prestigious National Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), which is the Nigerian equivalent to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Role: Personal Assistant to Dr. Nwosu, liaises between the team and Dr. Nwosu and assist in other communication matters.
Paula-Peace James-Okoro – Paula-Peace obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with First Class Honours and as the overall best graduating student, Class of 2020, from Covenant University, Nigeria. She is an incoming PhD student of Clinical Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge (2022). She is an aspiring medical research scientist keen on contributing to the development of biomedical infrastructure that could alleviate the burden of metabolic diseases (e.g., diabetes and obesity) in Africa. Outside academics, she enjoys volunteering with community development programs to improve the lives of others through education and health campaigns.
Role: Lead the mentorship and support of Zeribe Nwosu Scholarship Awardees and support in previewing seminar materials.
Patience Esele – Patience graduated from Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria, with a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science. She currently work with a private establishment, Cornerstone Diagnostic Laboratory, in Owerri, Imo State Nigeria. She is a great team leader, loyal and goal oriented person. She is interested in politics having served in different capacities both at the school levels and national levels of Nigeria Medical Laboratory Science Students Association (NIMELSSA). She is also a professional makeup artist.
Role: Participate in promoting ZNF activities.
Rita Aguchem – Rita earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Nigeria. She is presently a Research Assistant at the Medical Parasitology and Drug Discovery Unit, Department of Biochemistry, UNN. She has experience in scientific research, and data management. Rita is interested in the impact of natural products on food safety and human health. She is particularly interested in assessing the potential of natural products in delaying or prevent mental health conditions. She is one of the co-founders of Mabel Learning Corners committed to disseminating knowledge that enhances health and wellness. She enjoys acting and dancing as well as sporting activities, e.g. football, table tennis and volleyball.
Role: Write summaries of monthly seminars and promotes ZNF activities.
Aminu Aliyu – Aminu is a lecturer in the department of electrical engineering, Ahmadu Bello University. He holds a bachelor’s degree with First Class and an MSc in electrical engineering from Ahmadu Bello University. He is currently undergoing his PhD research in electrical and electronics engineering at Universiti Teknologi Petronas under the PTDF Scholarship. Outside of his professional life, he find joy in traveling, tutoring, and watching Korean films.
Role: Assist the foundation in its outreach.
Elee Chimbuoyim Charles – Elee obtained a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria, graduating the overall best student in the 2020 class. He is an aspiring Ph.D. student and is interested in cancer research. He is currently a member of the Tumour Advocacy Group at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, where he also works as a Research Assistant and an intern Medical Laboratory Scientist. He loves teaching and learning new things. His hobbies include football and country music.
Role: Supports in maintaining the ZNF Facebook page.
Ebenezer Osuigbo – Ebenezer obtained a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Engineering from Sharda University, India. He got a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is currently a Lecturer at Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Nigeria. He has research interests in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science focusing on AI Security and digital services protection, Computational Medicine applying Deep Learning Algorithms for Diagnosis, Precision, and Personalized Medicine. As a tech enthusiast, he is passionate about tech solutions for sustainable energy and the environment.
Role: Data Scientist at ZNF – Retrieves, Interpret, and manages the foundation’s data.
Akintunde Odesilo – Akintunde has bachelors and masters degrees in Computer Science from Newcastle University, UK. He volunteers in the ZNF Admin team and also assist in managing the foundation’s Instagram handle.
Ubong Kingsley Basil – Ubong obtained a bachelor’s degree in English and Literature from the University of Uyo, Nigeria, as the best graduating student of the 2020/2021 set. He has a growing interest in philosophy, psychology, gender studies and peace and conflict resolution. He enjoys reading and proofreading.
He is copywriter and data analyst and is currently acquiring digital marketing skills at Prudent Anchor Ltd, Uyo.
Role: Volunteers as a Content Creator (writing) and Editor at the ZNF.
Maureen Chiamaka Ononiwu – Maureen recently obtained a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria. Apart from her background in Chemical Engineering, she also has substantial experience in software engineering and has contributed to several widely used open-source projects such as neutrino (bitcoin light client in GO), opentelemetry, kubearmor, etc.
Role: Supports with website maintenance and social media engagement.
Abdulrasheed Kayode Ayuba – Abdulrasheed obtained B.Sc.Ed. Chemistry from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Nigeria. His areas of research interest are computational chemistry and the sustainability of chemistry. He worked as a digital skills ambassador at Usmanu Danfodiyo University in 2021 through the Internshala Campus Ambassador program, by influencing and enlightening his colleagues about the value and potential of digital skills.
Role: Support in the foundation’s social media engagement and outreach.
Rodiat Amusan – Rodiat is a final year student of Applied Geophysics at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria.
Love Olowu – Love has a bachelors degree in Geology from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
Azeezat Taiwo – Azeezat just recently completed a bachelors degree with First Class Honours at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Nigeria.
Joy Okereke – Joy studied Medical Laboratory Science at the Ebonyi State University, Nigeria, graduating with a First Class.
Chukwuagoziem Iloanusi – Chukwuagoziem is a medical student at the University of Uyo, Nigeria.
ZNF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
VOLUNTEERING AT THE ZNF
We welcome prospective volunteers that are excited about the foundations’s activities and wish to work in a dynamic team, learn new things, network with team members, and get direct mentorship support from the foundation. If you are interested, please send us an email (see details on the contact page).
Regarding volunteering, our goal is to build an inclusive team of highly talented people who love to help others in any little way possible. Regardless of background, country, or state (if within Nigeria), we welcome anyone who appreciates and understands the value and potential impact of what we are doing towards education, mentorship and scholarship, provided such a person is willing to spare a couple of hours a month or can contribute ideas at his or her own pace. Because this is a voluntary role, our primary selection criteria is a very strong interest in offering one’s suggestions and ideas and willingness to spare time for the sake of others.
What could I do as a volunteer?
Volunteers can choose to support any or all of the key focus areas on the Foundation based on their interest, key strengths and availability. These support include the following examples:
- Presenting in or moderating seminars series.
- Helping to design and share flyers for an upcoming event.
- Joining in the monthly meeting (~ 1h) to brainstorm on activities and direction.
- Responding to questions from members of the Telegram group.
- Helping to plan and execute outreach or hospital visits.
- Helping to review scholarship applications or interview applicants.
What do I gain as a volunteer or for volunteering?
- An opportunity to get to know members of the team and network with them.
- The Foundation team members will support you in our own academic/career journey provided that is within our abilities. Examples of such support include reviewing your application documents, sharing opportunities with you, encouraging specific training, promoting your own (external) initiatives, etc.
- An opportunity to learn how to work in a team and communicate in a dynamic team with people of different backgrounds (this is not trivial!).
- Gain insight into what it takes to carry out an initiative, coordinate a team and an organization, which is an important skill set that has relevance across professional disciplines.
- Letter of recommendation where applicable.