Africa Week - day 5

Our alumni stars in Africa

Thank you to all our fabulous alumni in, or from, Africa who have sent us their news. We heard from so many of you we shared your news across these pages all week.

Ghana

Gabriel  Botchwey (PhD Politics and International Studies 2012)

Gabriel is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Education Winneba where he has held several roles including Head of Departments of Political Science and the Centre for African Studies and Vice Dean of the Centre for International Programmes. He co-founded an academic journal and lead his colleagues to introduce new academic programmes. Gabriel says his solid training from Leeds was invaluable in these achievements.

Kenya

Kenneth Mbali (MA Modern International Studies 1991)

Kenneth is a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi who is passionate about environmental justice. He aims to create awareness about climate change and a just transition to a carbon-free future.

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Malawi

Kelline Kondowe (MSc Finance and Investment 2018)

Kelline is the Chief Operating Officer at the Malawi Stock Exchange. She is in strategic and operational decision making at the Malawi Stock Exchange. Over the past 4 years they have managed to develop programmes and projects aimed at growing the market. This has included developing an incubation program to capacitate potential issuers, enhancing their market presence to attract more retail investors and resource mobilisation to optimise their infrastructure. They are currently in the process of launching a mobile trading platform. They have also been able to enhance the regulatory framework by among others revising the listing rules, introducing ESG reporting requirements for listed companies and developing guidelines for issuance of sustainable bonds.

Gracium Chisoni (MSc in Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Systems 2020)       

Gracium is a Lecturer in Electrical Engineering Malawi University of Science and Technology. He hopes to pursue a PhD in Electrical Engineering or Renewable Energy.

Nigeria

Jane Ezeonu (Masters of Public Health, International 2011)

Jane is a Research/Data Officer at Nutrition International.  She optimizes adherence for Maternal Multiple Micronutrients Supplementation (MMS) in Nigeria. Nutrition International (NI) found that MMS is a better value for money than Iron and Folic Acid (IFA). The organisation is working with the Government of Nigeria and Bauchi State on a three-year implementation research project on the transition from IFA to MMS as part of ante natal care (ANC), using Human-Centered Design (HCD).

Pelumi Omolua (MA Human Resources Management 2013)

Pelumi is Head of HR and Services at Allianz Insurance Nigeria Limited Insurance.   

Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) Para-Mallam (PhD Development Studies 2006)

Funmi is Director of Studies at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies and the first female member of Management. She is a Professor of Gender and Development, as well as a Development Consultant and gender justice activist. She has served the National Institute since March 1989. Prof Para-Mallam is the Chairperson of the African Women’s Leadership Network (AWLN), Nigeria Chapter and member of the Presidential High-Level Advisory Committee on Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender in Nigeria. She is also the National Coordinator of Christian Women for Excellence and Empowerment in Nigerian Society (CWEENS), a women’s network focused on women empowerment, tackling gender-based violence, girl-child mentoring and female leadership development.  

Godian Chibueze Ezema (Masters of Public Health, International 2008)

Godian is the National Clinical Mentor, HIV Programme with the National Clinical Mentorship Programme (NCMP). Godian mentors clinicians and other healthcare workers on quality HIV care as well as guiding them on infection prevention and control in healthcare settings

Precious Jack (MA Health Management, Planning and Policy 2015)

Precious is the Head of Planning, Policy and Budget in the department of Health Planning, Research and Statistics at the State Primary Health Care. Precious is responsible for coordinating the timely development of work plans and budgets for projects. Precious is also responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of policies and training to promote equity and increase access to affordable health care services for residents in Rivers State and to attain universal health coverage and SDG3. Precious was part of the team adopting and  strengthening polices for gender equality. In addition to this role, Precious was made the state desk officer of Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge.

 

Chijioke Ndukauba (MSc Eng Communications and Signal Processing 2015)

Chijioke is a Strategy Advisory Consultant with PWC Nigeria.     

Suleiman Abba (MSc Environmental Engineering and Project Management 2022)

Suleiman is a Principal Environmental Engineer at the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA). He has contributed to safeguarding the environment and coastal communities through proactive measures and swift responses to oil spill incidents. Through strategic planning and collaboration with stakeholders, Suleiman has played a pivotal role in enhancing the agency's capabilities in early detection, efficient containment, and effective clean-up of oil spills, thereby minimizing environmental impact and protecting marine ecosystems. Suleiman earned recognition for the agency on both national and international platforms, reaffirming their commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable practices in the face of complex challenges.   

Benjamin Aboki (MSc Computing and Management 2012)

Benjamin works for the Nigerian Armed Forces on the Multinational Joint Task Force Operation.

Uganda

Ritah Ampaire Byoruganda (MSc Economics and Finance 2018)

Ritah is the Principal Economist at the Bank of Uganda. Ritah works in close collaboration with both internal and external stakeholders of the Bank of Uganda to enhance Central Bank communication and clarify how the Central Bank’s actions impact their wellbeing. Ritah fosters the Central Bank’s mandate, policy decisions and actions to varied stakeholders as a panelist on various radio ad television talk shows. In 2021/22, Ritah was recognised as an exceptional performer and the ‘Best Staff Member’ in the Communications Department. Ritah conceptualised, developed and brought to fruition two key initiatives that are aimed at enhancing Central Bank communication; the Monetary Policy Forum (MPF) and the Financial Stability Symposium (FSS).

Anjelo Okot (MSc Economics and Finance 2016, PhD Economics 2021)

Anjelo is a Financial Risk Specialist at the Bank of Uganda. He is responsible for managing the risks of foreign exchange reserves of the Country. He was awarded an exceptional performer and the employee of year of the Bank of Uganda.

Nicholas Okot (MA Economics and Finance 2007)

Nicholas is an Assistant Director, Monetary and Financial Statistics, at the Bank of Uganda. After Leeds, Nicholas completed his PhD in Economics with the thesis focusing on monetary policy.  He is currently involved in policy research focusing on digital finance services and climate change.

Alfred Kotol (MA International Educational Management 2007)

Alfred is a parish priest.  After graduation, he was head of academics at the Minor Seminary for three years and later served as Rector of Nadiket Seminary for 6 years before taking up his current duties of ministering to the people of God. Beside this work Alfred is Executive Director of a civil society organization called Our Lady Queen of Peace and justice which is faith based and deals in peace and conflict resolution, livelihoods, education, food security and governance.

Simon Peter Okoshi (MA Conflict, Development and Security 2006)

Simon is a Commissioner, Peace Support Operations with the Uganda Police Force. He's now responsible for the coordination of deployment of officers from the Uganda Police Force to United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) Peacekeeping Missions. After Leeds, Simon was appointed Commandant of the Police Marine Unit. When Uganda hosted the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in 2007, his unit was instrumental in providing maritime safety and security for the smooth running of CHOGM. Most of the venues for the various meetings (including Entebbe International Airport) were at the shores of Lake Victoria. In 2008, he was offered accelerated promotion from the rank of ASP to the rank of SSP. In 2009, he went for a one-year Tour of Duty with the United Nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID). In 2022, he was promoted to the current rank of Commissioner of Police.

Zambia

John Musantu (MSc Economics and Finance 2016, PhD Economics 2021)

John is a Lecturer and Undergraduate Coordinator at the University of Zambia and Managing Editor of the Southern African Journal of Policy and Development.

Pearson Mwale  (BEng Mechanical Engineering 1990)

Pearson is Assistant Chief Executive Officer - Mechanical, Electrical, & Operations at CNMC Luanshya Copper Mines. He achieved a mine winder upgrade that improved reliability, availability, and safety of mine winders (hoisting systems). Now, Pearson is involved, as Assistant Chief Executive Officer - Projects, in new USD 500m mine construction in Luanshya, Zambia that will have a minimum life span of 20 years. A minimum of 3000 jobs will be created.              

Nchimunya Monde (MA Accounting and Finance 2008)

Nchimunya is Chief Executive Officer at Kwacha Pension Trust Fund. Nchimunya developed the 2020-2023 and 2024-2026 strategic plan, developed and implemented the Sustainability Strategy leading to achievement of actuarial soundness of the Fund and attained 100% regulatory compliance with the Pensions and Insurance Authority.             

Zimbabwe

Tinashe Muzira (MSc Environmental Consultancy 2011)

Tinashe is Group Safety, Health, Environment & Quality (SHEQ) Manager at Zimplats. Tinashe’s work involves developing strategies to promote Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) excellence in mining, processing and construction projects. Tinashe guided the company in attaining a triple certification to ISO 9001 Quality Management System, ISO 14001: Environmental Management System & ISO 45001: Occupational Health and Safety Management System in 2021.

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