Several and diverse stories come out of the Niger Delta area of Nigeria covering various issues with the most reoccurring ones around; the vandalization in the oil and gas sector, community issues, kidnapping and lots of other stories that cast a negative shadow on this richly endowed geographical area. While this narrative seems to be the image which is portrayed to the world about the Niger Delta Region, there is still some good left in this region and we think these stories ought to be told.
Last week we talked about Ebenezar’s work with The Huffington post,Write Paragraphs – his personal project, his volunteer work for the United Nations as well as other development programs he has initiated for youths in the Niger Delta region and Nigeria at large. This week, we introduce to you;
Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo
Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo is the brave coordinator of Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) operating out of Akoko-Edo, Ondo State. As a young lady growing up in Nigeria, Priscilla noticed the high rate of teenage pregnancies in her community. These pregnancies snowballed into situations where the young ladies were expelled from school, left to fend for themselves by their families and left with no hope of reintegration into the academic system; this posed a potential risk on the lives of these ladies and thus ignited a desire in the heart of 18 year old Priscilla to change the status quo back in 2009.
Today the Braveheart Initiative has organized workshops and executed projects focusing on several issues that span from HIV and sexually transmitted diseases sensitization to maternal mortality, Gender based violence, vocational training, and sexual abuse.
The organization has also empowered hundreds of young women between the ages of 10 and 25 by introducing them to information and training that would better their lot, enable them make informed choices and facilitated the rehabilitation of at risk children and young persons.
She has also been a voice for victims of female genital mutilation, championed the fight against early child marriages and advocated for sexual abuse victims, seeking justice at the judicial level while giving medical support to them as well. This graduate of Political Science at Ambrose Alli University is truly a force to reckon with.
Know any social entrepreneur based in the Niger Delta? send a mail to chinwe@startupnigeria.net and we will let the world know too.
