EbenizarW

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Overview
My Changemaker Projects
Why do you want to join youthpower
How I want to make an Impact

My name is Ebenezar Wikina. I'm a mobile-savvy development journalist, researcher, and advocacy specialist who has independently engaged over 120 World Leaders & experts on my interview series, The Stroll, using my mobile phone.

Some previous guests from “The Stroll” include; Amina Mohammed (Deputy United Nations Secretary General), Mr Michael Moller (Director-General, United Nations Office Geneva), Elsie Kanza (Head of Africa, World Economic Forum), Rt Hon Ken Macintosh (Presiding Officer, Scottish Parliament), Richard Wurman (Founder of TED), Stephen Sackur (Host, BBC HARDtalk), The CNN Freedom Project, Femi Oke (Host of Al Jazeera's 'The Stream'), to mention a few.

I began my career in 2009 at 17 years old as a reporter for Teens World Magazine, and I've now been featured on various local and international platforms such as, Al Jazeera, BBC World Service, CNN, the United Nations Website (Geneva and New York), the World Economic Forum Agenda, The Huffington Post (US and South Africa), CNBC Africa, UNICEF Voices of Youth, etc.

In 2014, I obtained a license to organize TEDxYouth@OrdinanceRoad, West Africa’s only TEDxYouth event that year; In 2015 I served as a panellist at the 25th Anniversary of the World Economic Forum on Africa which held in Cape Town, South Africa; and went on to lead the Port Harcourt Global Shapers Hub as Curator between 2015-2016. I've also served as Digital Communications and Research Officer at the Rivers State Government’s Sustainable Development Goals Office in 2017 where I mainstreamed the SDGs in conversations online via various new media channels.

During the 2017/2018 academic session, I guest lectured “Multimedia & Online Journalism” to over 300 final year students of Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori, and I'm also co-author of "The Africa 80" written by 80 young leaders across the African continent.

As a result of my work in the oast decade, I've earned several awards & recognitions within and outside Africa including; Winner, Soundcity Africa MVP for Community Development (2019); Nominee, The Future Award for Public Service (2018); Fellow, British Council's Future News Worldwide (2018); Fellow, Global Investigative Journalism Network (2017); Nominee, Future Award for New Media (2016); Winner, Port Harcourt Business and People's Award (2015) to mention a few..

My current work is with Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) where I serve as Project Coordinator for PIND’s development news and information project, NDLink.

Short biography
I'm a young Changemaker because I identify challenges around me and champion the process of providing solutions to such challenges. I'll give you an example. Between 2012 and 2013, there was a rise in youth restiveness and militancy in Nigeria's Niger Delta where I am from. However, it was not every young person who was involved in the kidnappings and pipeline vandalization, but the acts of a few have cast a black shadow over the entire 30 million population.

In a bid to change this narrative, I applied for a license to organize TEDxYouth@OrdinanceRoad. My idea was that if I brought global attention to ideas raised by young people from the region then that would show everyone that there are also good youth from the Niger Delta, and perhaps also inspire those who are on the wrong path to join the good movement. I inspired my friends to work with me on it, and we put together a team. We walked from company to company seeking financial support to host the event.

Long story short, our persistence and drive eventually made the event a reality. 10 young speakers got the chance to share their story with the world. Eventually we found out that our TEDx event was the only event in West Africa in 2014.
Assistance Offered
Website, social media, online strategy, Government relations, policy and advocacy efforts
What I need
Media opportunities and resources, network building, SDGs discussions
Assistance OfferedWebsite, social media, online strategy, Government relations, policy and advocacy efforts
What I need
Media opportunities and resources, network building, SDGs discussions
Groups
All YouthLead Members and Alumni, YouthLead Ambassadors 2019
Networks
  • World Economic Forum's Global Shapers Community
  • Young African Leader's Initiative
  • TEDxYouth Organizers Network
Where did you hear about us?
Email
Country
Nigeria
Sectors of Interest
Topics of Interest
Sectors of Interest
Topics of Interest
Other Interests Traveling, Reading, Sports
Education
Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government
Executive Education, Public Narrative: Leadership, Storytelling, and Action
2019

International Institute of Journalism, Nigeria
Associate degree, Journalism
2016-2018

Alpha Institute of Broadcasting and Communication
Diploma, Basic Broadcast Presentation
2015

International Secondary School
O-Level, West African Secondary Certificate
2001-2007
Languages spoken
English, French
My Followers
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Chinazaepere Ndukwe
Team Assistant
MY MOTTO: Encourage Youth Involvement, Bridge Gender Gaps and Secure the Future for Posterity.
NETWORKS: All YouthLead Members and Alumni, Mentorship Initiative Discussion Group
Nelly Cetera
Presidenta de la red de alumni de Junior Achievement Argentina 2020 - 2022 / Miembro del hub de Buenos Aires de Global Shaper
MY MOTTO: If you are doing your best, you are already making the world a better place!
NETWORKS: All YouthLead Members and Alumni
19
Md.Mizanur Rahman