In this article, we shall spotlight 24-Year-old Nigerian changemaker, Chukwuemeka Orukwowu who has demonstrated passion for Africa’s development by championing high-value projects in the past 6 years and counting! Chukwuemeka Orukwowu’s unique journey has attracted meaningful international exposure and global citizenship. He is a leading light in Nigeria’s Social Impact and Development space with rich volunteering experience and networks, which he has cultivated across 4 continents.
Social media has made it easy to grow from a local champion into becoming a global icon within a very short time. Chukwuemeka Orukwowu leverages the Power of Digital Technology in engaging Young African Changemakers, as well as influential World Leaders. At the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Virtual Annual Meetings (October 2021), Chukwuemeka questioned the Digital Finance policy motives of the International Monetary Fund, and he received praise remarks from the IMF Managing Director, Ms. Kristalina Georgieva.
Chukwuemeka Orukwowu is an inspiration to young Africans, and he is emerging as a worthy model of Youth Excellence. He believes that Young people can lead transformational social change across the African continent, especially in these challenging times. Chukwuemeka’s actions are in line with promoting African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He is very committed to leading socioeconomic transformations and expanding frontiers for the actualization of Sustainable development Goals (SDGs) 2030. He leads advocacy and entrepreneurial projects focused on the following SDGs: Decent work and Economic wellbeing (Goal 8), Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Goal 9), Reduced Inequalities (Goal 10), Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16), as well as Partnership for the Goals (Goal 17).
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Chukwuemeka recounts thus: “My journey in Social entrepreneurship started in 2016, during my undergraduate days at University of Port-Harcourt, Nigeria. I joined AIESEC – a Global Leadership Development Organization, established in 1948 with a presence across 120+ countries and territories. I began from the local chapter, AIESEC Port Harcourt which had a physical office and youth network in my school campus and I was inspired by AIESEC’s mission: “Towards achieving peace and fulfillment of humankind’s potential”. Hence, I set out to contribute my quota by serving in AIESEC Talent management, Partnership Development, and Project management teams. In February 2018, I was selected as Nigerian Delegate in Canvassity Pan Africa Youth Democracy Fellowship – a dynamic youth program that builds the capacity of young people to engage and support elected government representatives/institutions, and to improve efficiency and accountability towards delivering impactful governance across African countries”.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs: “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests” (Source: sdgs.un.org/goals).
Chukwuemeka responded: “I am inspired by the audacious works of Africa’s new generation of leaders. I know Young Changemakers who are building great projects, and many times, these Young innovators have traced their background to experiences they gathered through Volunteering. This is what gives us a sense of meaning and reinforces our belief in the future ahead. I see the world’s best talents and high-performing companies rising in Africa, and global experts have projected that this will continue on an upward trajectory. Young people are rising!”
Chukwuemeka Orukwowu is the Impact Officer of Global Shapers Port-Harcourt Hub (an initiative of World Economic Forum), where he coordinates capacity-building programs, project impact-assessment, and foster collaborations between Port-Harcourt Hub and other Global Shapers Hubs worldwide – to mention a few. During the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, he founded Audacious Agenda Youth Network – a Thought-leadership Platform that advances policy innovation debates and empowers young African voices in Entrepreneurship and Innovation by leveraging Digital technology. Within 7 months, his team trained 200+ youths on Personal Branding by hosting WhatsApp Masterclass and 5 Transformational Webinars which featured 15+ guest speakers and reached 15000+ persons across various Social media platforms. This year 2022, Chukwuemeka’s goal is to impact 20,220 youth via Public Speaking Tours, Executive Coaching and Strategic Consulting that cuts across a variety of economic sectors in Africa.
“I was privileged to participate in Canvassity learning visit to African Union (AU) Headquarters in 2018. Canvassing Delegates (including myself) attended African Governance Architecture (AGA) Policy training and Roundtable meetings, and we learned about the functions of the African Union (AU) and its Regional partner organizations – via interactive discussions with Directors and top officials in the African Union Department of Political Affairs, AU Department of Peace and Security, Nigerian Embassy, Institute of Peace and Security Studies (IPSS) and Addis Ababa University, to mention a few. This high-level Stakeholder Engagement program was funded by National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in the United States and hosted by Youngstars Foundation, Abuja. It serves as a major catalyst that propels me towards my goal of becoming a Global Policy Consultant”, Chukwuemeka added.
Volunteering has many benefits, and it is highly recommended as a viable path for young people who desire to change their world. For example, young people can increase their sphere of influence and gain a sense of purpose through volunteering. It serves as a common ground for social networking, which makes it easier to connect with a global community of like minds. Volunteering allows young people to build lifelong skills that are quickly transferrable in the workplace and social settings. Also, volunteering is a great way to build one’s self-esteem as it brings you out of your comfort zone, and improves one’s chances of getting international scholarships, job opportunities, business funding, to mention a few. Chukwuemeka is a worthy example of how volunteering can change the life of a youth. He has leveraged many career development opportunities.
Hear his opinion thus: “Today, I believe I can achieve all the things I set out to do. The world is literally, not ready for what is coming ahead! I won’t stop improving myself, and I will keep raising the bars of excellence towards the fulfillment of my destiny assignment. In 2016, I embarked on my first International trip: the AIESEC Global Exchange Volunteer program. Having led project teams in Port-Harcourt, I decided to take it a step higher, by serving as AIESEC Global Volunteer, which required that I embark on a 6-weeks self-sponsored trip to serve local communities in Ghana. AIESEC Port Harcourt (Nigeria), in partnership with AIESEC Legon (Ghana), hosted the Young African Entrepreneurs Program (YAEP) hosted this Leadership exchange program which remains my most memorable experience as an “AIESECer”. I recall my team engaged in charity fundraising initiatives in Ghana, and I taught entrepreneurship skills to 50+ local residents in different communities, across 3 regions in Ghana”.
The United Nations (UN) Department of Economic and Social Affairs published a report in 2019, which analyzed the UN estimates of the world populations: “Youths number 1.2billion persons between the ages 15 and 24 years, or around one in every six persons worldwide. The number of youths in the world is projected to grow by 7 percent to 1.3billion by 2030”.
“Despite the problems encountered on the African continent, such as widespread corruption, conflict, political instability, and poverty, etc; … there is still hope! This is the generation that will proffer lasting solutions to Africa’s biggest challenges through unlocking opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation. We are the ones we are waiting for! Young people are rising!” – Chukwuemeka added.
Chukwuemeka Orukwowu’s story of success has been previously covered by Trade Chronicle (Pakistan’s oldest monthly magazine on Trade, Commerce, Industry, and Public Affairs) and top media platforms in Nigeria. Also, McKinsey Africa invited Chukwuemeka Orukwowu to share practical insights and solutions in Entrepreneurship and Innovation; over 400 Young leaders from across Africa, were inspired by Chukwuemeka’s talk delivered at the African Leaders on the Move (ALM) Virtual conference hosted by Mckinsey Africa in November 2021.
