RESUME – Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment

GLORY CHINENYE OGUEGBU

39, Adebayo Doherty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.

+2348036291450gloryshirley500@gmail.com, Gloryoguegbu@glowinitiative.com

CORE COMPETENCIES

Writer and Published Author of 4 books
MS Office proficiency
Strong verbal, written and presentation skills
Passion and Ability for formulating economic and environmental growth strategies
Effective communication and interpersonal skills

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

University of Delaware | Newark, Delaware, USA (June-August 2015)

Barrack Obama’s Mandela Washington training Fellowship for Young African Leaders

Proficiency Certificate Course in Civic Leadership

Abia State University | Abia State, Nigeria (September 2007-September 2011 B.Sc. (HONS) Geography and Planning

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment (GLEE) | Lagos, Nigeria – Founder and Executive Director – May 2013– Present

Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment is focused on reducing unemployment and creating a sustainable society by supporting women and young people via sustainable life skills. Through our Solar Up Nigeria Program we are supporting rural women and men to become renewable energy entrepreneurs by helping them to acquire solar technology, entrepreneurship and financial skills through training and mentorship which enables them to create and deploy solar solutions and create employment. Our goal is to birth 10, 000 renewable energy entrepreneurs in the next five years.

Roles

I oversee the efficient and effective day-to-day operation of the organization, which includes; program development and strategy plan formulation. I developed an operational plan which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the organization for which all staff. I draft policies for the approval of the Board and prepare procedures to implement the organizational policies. I report quarterly to the board on organization activities and receive feedback. Additionally, I oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services and in charge of recruiting volunteers/staff.

Other Roles

I Develop and lead implementation of our programs and training workshops that we run through our sub-initiatives; Climate Smart Nigeria and Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute all geared towards the economic development of Nigeria through job creation, women empowerment and the economic development of Nigeria.

Our Programs

1.) Climate Smart Nigeria

Climate Smart Nigeria (set up with a 10-year goal) works to solve two major economic problems; 1.) Climate illiteracy, which stems from low awareness, according to World Gallup-poll, 70% of Nigerians are not Climate aware. 2.) Poor electricity system which leads to huge dependency on fossil fuels and causes death of SMEs. The Mission is to tackle Climate illiteracy and unstable power sector by championing Climate Change Education in Nigerian institutions and training on renewable energy technologies to attain a Climate Smart Nation.

a.) National Climate Change Awareness Program

Green Week and Climate Online Campaign – The Greenweek and Climate Online Campaign is anonline advocacy Initiative to increase and promote the awareness of Climate Change throughthe new media to reach a large number of the online community and curb Climate Illiteracy. So far we have reached and impacted more than one hundred and forty thousand members of the online community with climate information and technology developed from experts in the field.
Green Guild School Initiative – We have created a curriculum which we use to provide tailor made training for secondary schools on the Basics of Climate Change and Sustainability using our textbook. We run this initiative via a weekly club structure known as – Sustainability and Climate Change Club (SACC Club) where the members of the Green Guild club are trained week. We’ve successfully set-up 6 Climate-Smart-Clubs where students are being engaged.
Climate Ambassadors Network – Was set up to connect environmental enthusiasts globally to promote climate action. Launched this April, the platform has grown to a membership of 500 young environmentalists from across 7 countries. The network has started the #HoldYourLitter Campaign to inspire people to recycle their plastic waste thereby reducing climate impacts. In one day, the campaign received over 1000 pledges from people who agreed to reuse and recycle their plastic waste.

Renewable Energy Initiative

Solar Up Nigeria – SUN is working to train, groom and mentor the next generation of solar entrepreneurs who will design and promote the usage of small applications of Solar energy in their communities. So far, we have successfully trained 15 young people on Solar Systems design, Application, Installation and Entrepreneurship who has joined the alumni where they have access to more opportunities to harness their skills.
Community Centers for Clean Energy and Education – We plan to empower rural women by providing cleaner sources of fuel for cooking purposes. We plan to teach them how to make Briquettes which is a clean source of fuel from waste by setting up learning centers where they’ll be trained.

2) Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) www.retti.com.ng

RETTI trains and equips the next generation of Engineers and Entrepreneurs with knowledge in the value chain of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to deliver quality renewable energy products and service after which we provide opportunities for onsite engagement through our advocacy program.

I lead program design, strategy formulation and implementation. I’m in charge of management and fundraising for the institute. I work to recruit faculty and students to our programs, communicate with alumni through our Growth Support Plan (GSP) securing opportunities for them. I form partnerships with community businesses and work with them to fund our program initiatives.

InstaSolar Energy Africa (Headquartered in the USA) – August 2016 – June 2017 National Programs Coordinator

In this role, I served as the overall coordinator for Nigeria on behalf of the company and worked with the Board of Directors to develop a vision and strategic plan to guide the organization. Conducted official correspondence on behalf of the Board as appropriate and jointly with the Board when appropriate. I also worked with volunteers and the Board (Finance Committee) to prepare a comprehensive budget. I worked with the Board to secure adequate funding for the operation of the organization. Together with the board, we secured initial 30, 000 USD for the pilot solar centers.

Other Roles

Conducted research in communities to select most appropriate villages (economically disadvantaged) to establish our solar centers and train residents.
Created, managed and promoted awareness about our work on social media.
Represented InstaSolar in Nigeria.
Researched funding sources, oversaw the development of fund raising plans and write funding proposals to increase the funds of the organization

Transforming Rural Agricultural Communities through Organic Re-engineering (TRACTOR) |

Takoradi, Ghana – October 2015 – Feb 2017

Liaison Officer for USAID Funded Climate Change Project

I supported the Project-director to establish and maintain a dynamic system of communication between beneficiary communities and TRACTOR’s project-team for the USAID funded Climate Change Project – Livelihood Diversification Support Program (LSDP) for farmers.
I captured feedback from external-parties and shared this with the project-team to help shape the way they plan and deliver work.
I worked to establish and maintain strong relationships with the client, helping to respond to requests for information, attending client meetings and helping to nurture a collaborative and productive environment between the client and TRACTOR’s project- team.
I organized stakeholder briefing and engagement events, organized individual meetings with members of the public and businesses who may have queries regarding the project. I helped to Collate and share feedback from stakeholders with the project-team to ensure that the needs of the farmers and entire community members and other stakeholders are taken into consideration when planning and delivering work, thereby creating a positive reputation for the LDSP project, TRACTOR and the donor.

Current Consultancy Projects

1.) Solar for Girls Entrepreneurship Program (In partnership with the Office of the First Lady of Ondo State Government – Her Excellency, Mrs A. B. Akeredolu.)

For the second year in a role, my team and I have been working as consultants and trainers for the First lady’s Solar for Girls program where we work to train the young girls on simplified solar systems design and PV coupling to generate electricity. We also train them on understanding Climate Change with our illustrative curricular. This August, we worked with the first lady to train 400 girls on the subject matter above.

2.) Access to Energy Project; Promoting Productive use of Energy in Nigeria (in partnership with Ecowatt Energy Company funded by USAID)

We are working to design and construct 1000 innovative solar powered MSME (Micro Small Medium Enterprise kiosks), provide education on understanding how solar PV works, (its limitation, operation and maintenance) business development strategies and service delivery for start-ups and established businesses and then facilitate access to efficient and high-quality end-use equipment through sensitization workshop and awareness creation, and improved access to long-term credit. The project aims to promote productive use of energy among MSME community to alleviate energy poverty and improve economic development. My role is to support project management, sensitization workshop and awareness creation on climate change and renewable energy and serve as facilitator for the beneficiaries on business development and solar entrepreneurship leveraging on my experience as solar entrepreneurship trainer and certified business consultant.

3.) In August 2018, I joined the Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo (Nigeria’s largest renewable energy event) as a consultant to advice and support conference strategy design, content and resource development for the conference and their award ceremony.

Published Books

Something is happening; our world is changing (Understanding the Basics of Climate Change 50 sold and distributed) – a well-researched illustrated curriculum divided into 2 textbook versions for Junior and Senior secondary school students to teach the basics of climate change).
The Concept and Science of Climate Change (107 copies sold) – for the general adult public with the goal of promoting awareness of the economics of climate change and sustainable development.
The Year Ran Mad – a short thriller story which depicts the impact of climate change on livelihood (Agriculture) Illustrated accordingly for young children.
The Girl who saw Tomorrow – a short novel which delves into the reality of climate change and why it must be taken seriously.

EXECUTIVE PROGRAMS, PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS AND SHORT COURSES

Short Courses (MOOCS from United Nations Learning and Cousera)

Renewable Energy and Green Building Entrepreneurship
Climate Policy and Public Finance
Climate Information and Services
Climate Responsive Budgeting
Sustainability and Business Innovation
Social Entrepreneurship

Executive Programs and Professional Certifications

US Mission Nigeria| Lagos, Nigeria (July 2018) Proficiency Certificate in Structured Professional Mentorship Delivery for Women Leaders
Lagos Business School | Lagos, Nigeria (February, 2018) Proficiency Certificate in Non-profit Leadership and Management
Energy One Africa | August 2015 Proficiency certificate in Off-Grid Solar Power Systems Design.
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League Young Professionals | Wilmington, U.S.A (July 2015) Proficiency Certificate in Community Organizing Training
Chattered Institute of Environmental Health | England, U.K (January 2014) Proficiency Certificate in Health and safety in the Environment.
Project Management Institute | U.S.A (April 2014)

Project Management Professional (PMP) / Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Association of Entrepreneurs and Technologists of Nigeria | Ilorin, Nigeria (August 2013) Proficiency Certificate in Business Consultancy
Nigerian Institute of Management | Ilorin, Nigeria (December 2013) Proficiency certificate in Management

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Nigerian Star Award; US Mission in Nigeria, April 2019; Named a Nigerian Star in recognition of Achievement and service to Nigeria and Nigerians and effort training entrepreneurs especially women to provide sustainable energy solutions.
US Mission to African Union Recognition, April 2019; Selected as one of only 15 female business leaders to attend USG’s launch of OPIC 2X Africa and meet with advisor to President of USA – Ms. Ivanka Trump and the Ethiopian President – Sahle-Work Zewde.
Young Energy Professional of the Year; Nigeria Energy Awards – October, 2018; Named the Nigerian Energy champion as commendation for shown dedication and interest to create awareness of Renewable Energy amongst the Nigerian youth and build solar entrepreneurs with the aim of economic development and youth unemployment reduction.
Nigeria’s foremost Woman in Renewable Energy Award – Environment Africa Group, May 2017: Was amongst 20 women listed as Nigeria’s foremost women in renewable energy for immense contributions in the sector.
Leader and Mentor Award: United States Consulate General John F. Bray, March 2017: Honoured to receive the Leader and Mentor Award for work in training and mentoring 121 young people especially the Conference for Emerging Entrepreneurs organized by the United States Embassy.

Nigerian Energy champion, Nigerian Energy Awards, October 2015, Abuja, Nigeria. Named the Nigerian Energy champion as commendation for shown dedication and interest to create awareness of Renewable Energy amongst the Nigerian youth and build solar entrepreneurs with the aim of economic development and youth unemployment reduction.
Mandela Washington Fellowship Award, June 2015 Honour of Selection (one of 500 out of 80,000) to participate in the highly competitive Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders as commendation and recognition of service rendered towards economic development.
Honourary handshake from President Barrack Obama and a certificate of recognition signed by him August 2015 Received an honorary handshake from President Barrack Obama and a certificate signed by him during the Presidential Summit of the MandelaWashington Fellowship, President Barrack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative, June 2015, Washington DC, United States of America.
Award of Recognition, Wisdom for Women International England UK, June 2014, Lagos, Nigeria. Recognition in commendation for being an outstanding under 25 young woman doing great work serving the community, the wider world and touching lives.
State Honour Award, Kwara State Government, Feb 2014, Ilorin, Nigeria. Award of honour in recognition of meritorious and outstanding services to the state during the 2013 corps year. For investing in agriculture by constructing a large scale cassava processing factory for 200 widows languishing in hunger and poverty, which provided them a means of livelihood and greatly improved the economic development of the community.
2^nd Best Graduating Corps Member, National Youth Service Corps, February 2014, Ilorin, Nigeria. Named the 2^nd best graduating corps member out of 3,000 corps members in recognition for meritorious services during the 2013 corps year.
Nomination for NYSC Presidential/National Award, National Youth Service Corps, February 2014, Ilorin, Nigeria. Was nominated as one of the recipients of the presidential Awards as 2^nd best graduating corps member.
Environmental Award of Excellence, Environmental Community Development group February 2014, Shao, Nigeria. Award for a Job Well Done in recognition of good contributions to the group.

PRESTIGIOUS SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

Honourary Speaker role; Invited by the US Mission to the African Union to speak on Microfinancing Opportunities for Women during the launch of the OPIC 2X Africa, the US Government’s initiative to provide 1 billion dollars to support African women led businesses.
Honourary Speaker role alongside President Buhari, October 2017 – Nigerian Alternative Energy Expo; Was honoured to be invited as speaker during the Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo to speak on Empowering Women and Youths in Renewable Energy.
Honounary Speaker Role – 6th International World Conference on Biodiversity and Conservation, April 2017, Dubai, UAE – Honoured to be invited to speak on: Climate Change, Biodiversity and Nigeria: Examining Policy, Reality and Practice to effectively address its relationship to Economic Development and communicate the importance of awareness creation.
Honourary Keynote Speaker Role – University of Delaware Energy Conference – 25^th and 26^th April 2016, Delaware, USA. Honoured to deliver the prestigious keynote address during the University of Delaware Energy Conference alongside US Senator Chris Coonsand spoke on Climate Smart Nigeria – Climate Change and Sustainable Energy and was the youngest of 24 speakers who are energy professors and leaders of renewable energy conglomerates from around the world and one of 4 women.

LEADERSHIP ROLES

Assistant Secretary – Women in Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (WIREN)

Former Vice President, Mandela Washington Fellowship Alumni Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN)

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Women in Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria
Association of Entrepreneurs and Technologists Trainers of Nigeria (ASET) Associate Member
Nigerian Institute of Management -Graduate Member

MORE About GLORY OGUEGBU

Founder and Executive Director

Glow Initiative for Economic Empowerment Pioneer; Climate Smart Nigeria

Please read detailed profile of Glory here;

https://about.me/GloryOguegbu

http://glowinitiative.org/home/glory-oguegbu/

Glory has dedicated her life for public service. Her sojourn started in 2013 after she discovered 200 widows and orphans languishing in hunger and poverty in a community where she has been posted to conduct her mandatory National Youths Service Corps.

She was competitively selected as one of forty (40) out of fifteen thousand (15, 000) applicants in Nigeria and one of five hundred (500) out of eighty thousand (80, 000) applicants across Africa for President Obama’s Mandela Washington Fellowship Award.

During the Presidential Summit with President Obama, she was chosen to lead a meet up discussion on Microfinance and energy, a role she played perfectly. She was then selected by her team to present the teams summary and give recommendations to the US white house representatives on a simulation exercise with topic centered around Managing a virus break out.

On her return to Nigeria, she was elected to serve as the Vice President of the Mandela Washington Fellowship Association of Nigeria (MWFAAN).

Glory has since continued to lead change in the fields of climate change and renewable energy in Nigeria. Climate Change is a field that most people are indifference about, despite this, Glory has continued to work assiduously to see that the climate information gets to the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. She spent some time to research on how best Nigerians, including the layman can understand climate change and so in a very ‘Nigerian’ tone authored four books targeted to four groups – The Primary and Secondary schools, the adult public and the layman to communicate the menace of climate change, the intervention of renewable energy and the role of everybody. Her books have been sold more than 1000 times and currently been used in some schools (Books Below).

The knowledge gained through Glory’s years of research and experiences in the climate change and renewable energy sector enabled her to be an ardent contributor in the field of climate change, renewable energy and sustainable development and led to a prestigious invitation extended her to deliver a keynote address alongside US Senator Chris Coons at the University of Delaware / Africa Energy Conference organized by the University of Delaware Energy Institute in April 2016 in Delaware, United States. The conference brought together 24 speakers from companies around the world. I was the youngest of the speakers and one of four women.

Glory has authored four books spanning across climate change and renewable energy:

Something is happening; our world is changing (Understanding the Basics of Climate Change 50 sold and distributed) – a well-researched illustrated curriculum divided into 2 textbook versions for Junior and Senior secondary school students to teach the basics of climate change).

The Concept and Science of Climate Change (200 copies sold) – for the general adult public with the goal of promoting awareness of the economics of climate change and sustainable development.

The Year Ran Mad – (more than 700 copies sold and distributed) a short thriller story which depicts the impact of climate change on livelihood (Agriculture) Illustrated accordingly for kids and the layman.

The Girl who saw Tomorrow – a short novel which delves into the reality of climate change and why it must be taken seriously targeted to secondary school students.

See book details here: http://glowinitiative.org/our-books/

Please see below Published material about Glory

Interview with THISDAY Newspaper:

Interview with Development Innovation Insider Hong-Kong:

http://www.changemag-diinsider.com/blog/creating-sustainable-jobs-for-rural-women-and- youth-in-nigeria

Organization and Work Climate Smart Nigeria

http://glowinitiative.org/climate-smart-nigeria/

Company – Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute: www.retti.com.ng

Published Books

http://glowinitiative.org/our-books/

University of Delaware / Africa Energy’s Conference (Speaking Engagement): http://www1.udel.edu/udaily/2016/may/africa-energy-conference050616.html USA IREX:

https://www.irex.org/people/glory-chinenye-oguegbu Ignite speech on Opportunity at the University of Delaware; https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=

Speaking Engagement with the Nigeria Alternative Energy Expo: http://www.nigeriaalternativeenergyexpo.org/speaker/glory-oguegbu/