Nigerian Youth, Ogoko Bags Award Alongside Beyonce, Genevive Nnaji

Damian Duruiheoma, Owerri

A 20 year-old social entrepreneur and youth development activist, Miss Chinenye Ogoko said she instantly went into celebration mood when she learnt of her nomination for Star Award alongside other super power women like Beyoncé Knowles, Tola Onibanjo, Genevive Nnaji, Linda Ikeji, Sinach amongst others from around the world.

Ogoko  who received one of the 62 awards given to ladies who have made great difference in people’s lives out of 101 nominees, said she was happy that people far and near could now recognize her efforts in changing lives.

Having delved into youth work at the age of 16 after being trained as a HIV/AIDS peer-educator by MTN Foundation, she started her first social enterprise, Youth of Purpose Network (YPN) in 2008.

With YPN raising over 100 youth volunteers and organizing motivational cum educational programmes for youth in Irete, Owerri West Local Government Area; Awo-Omamma, Oru East Local Government Area and in Owerri Municipal Council all in Imo State, Ogoko became one of the social entrepreneurs selected from Africa to represent Nigeria in the Mobilizing Youth International Summit of the United Network of Young Peace Builders (UNOY) in Amsterdam, Netherlands in 2014, where she emerged first prize winner in the Pitch for Peace contest held in the same summit. 

She said, “I am so happy to be honoured alongside these great women, but most especially I am grateful to God for the grace He has given me to do what I am doing.

“It has been my dream to touch lives and I am so happy that the opportunity to do that in higher platforms are coming.

“I am grateful to the organizers of the award, LIFTEFFECTS and everyone who has supported me through this journey”

The Extraordinary ladies were awarded for their outstanding work at a glamorous event held at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon, London, United Kingdom on Saturday May 16, 2015 and the awards were presented by the Mayor of Croydon, Manju Shahul-Hameed.

The event was hosted by Sandra Nelson and LIFTEFFECTS a company that hosts conferences, seminars workshops and provides a speaking platform for extraordinary people to share their stories and aims to plant the seed of hope, passion and encouragement so that everyone can reach their goals and believe in themselves.

The Ahiazu Mbaise-born Miss Chinenye Ogoko currently serves as a Peace Child International’s task force member on Conakry-Rabat Commitment for full youth employment 2030 and is a scholar at Watson University in Colorado USA.