Sammie

I have demonstrated integrity and commitment in the defense of the human rights as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and international human rights law, treaties and conventions, I have consistently demonstrated the determination and courage to continue despite difficulties, threats and lack of support. Through my active involvement in nonprofit/civil society organisations for the past eight years, I have gained strong decision making and problem-solving skills, critical and analytical skills, policy and advocacy/research skills, and event and project management. I am reimagining leadership by cultivating and supporting a global movement of next generational leaders by applying universal values and local understanding to solving global challenges at the communal level. I established study centres which are special schools that help to fill needed public and civic knowledge gaps. I am is working to advance anti-corruption crusade, girls/women and human rights, cultural rights, active citizenship democracy, solidarity, social justice, development (good governance), open governance partnership, migration, torture and minority rights.
In 2014, I led a team on monetary and evaluation of projects carried out by intervention agencies of state and federal government; Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission (EDSOGPADEC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) in Orhionmwon Local Government Council Area, Edo State Nigeria, under the aegis of Orhionmwon Youth forum; a youth body with the vision of igniting development and promoting justice. I provided excellent leadership as the coordinator of the team. Also, in 2014, I and four other leaders of Orhionmwon Youth Forum requested from Edo State Oil and Gas Producing Areas Development Commission information regarding a road being constructed through the Freedom of Information Act. When they failed to respond to our request, we proceeded to the court. The court delivered its judgment in 2016 in our favour and the needed information was given to us through the court.
I was a two-time Chairman of Edo Civil Society Organisations Electoral Commission that conducted the maiden election of the network and a two-time interim Coordinator General of the network who provided effective leadership for the network. Edo Civil Society Organisations is a network of civil society organisations promoting good governance, human rights and social justice in Nigeria. I also initiated free skills acquisition for the unemployed in the areas of barbing, photography, auto mechanic, catering, shoemaking, bead making, photo editing, fashion designs, computer repairs, etc., for the purpose of empowering people with skills in pursuant of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I took a bold step by co-founding an NGO in 2014; Nigeria Street Voice, solely for this purpose; entered into a partnership with entrepreneurs in different location and field who trains the applicants for free. Our achievements in this regard are enormous; thirty (30) people have been trained in various skills by partners and twenty-five (25) other persons are undergoing training in various skills. Among them are graduates and non-graduates even workers who want to have the skill to scale up their earnings. The chain of the progress of the training continues as the established entrepreneur’s automatically become partners to the NGO and train’s others for free just like the way they were trained for free. I am passionate about people get trained, get skill and create wealth by having decent work and contributing to economic growth and community development.
Furthermore, I am the Director of Community Mobilization and Strategy of the Not Too Young To Run Movement now Ready To Run, Edo State. The Not Too Young To Run Movement is a movement of youth, civil society groups and concerned citizens across the 36 states of the federation advocating for the reduction of age for running for elective offices to mainstream young men and women in electoral politics. The movement is driven by the compelling need to restructure the country’s political system to address the deeply entrenched system of political exclusion and institute inclusive politics, transformative leadership and electoral competitiveness in the electoral system through the advocating of Age Reduction Bill also known as Not Too Young To Run Bill; a bill that seeks to remove the constitutional age requirement for running elective office in Nigeria. The ultimate goal of the bill is to promote increased youth participation in the political process. The impact of Not Too Young To Run in general can be seen from the motivation it has given to the youth to engage in the political process and creating awareness that youths can contribute meaningfully to political development in the country. Today, there are youths contesting for political positions that were not so in the last local, state and national elections. The awareness is high and motivating and youths and the old brigade are keying into it. The bill has been signed into law by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The multiple stakeholders’ partnerships have deepened my experience in partnership, collaboration, teamwork and have given room for cross-pollination of ideas and shared experiences which has enriched my skills and knowledge greatly. More so, I was part of the team that organized Not Too Young To Run Movement National Day of Action in Edo State on the 8th of August, 2018 where we demanded for reduction of nomination fees, reserve tickets for youths and women and transparent and democratic primaries from various political parties in Nigeria for youth and women inclusion.
Currently, I am the Officer in Charge of Human Rights Department, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Edo State Command, a nonprofit paramilitary organization; I teach the officers on human rights, civic education and intervene in human rights issues, my department organized the 2018 World Day Against Trafficking in persons with the theme: HUMANS NOT FOR TRADE-STOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING. It was marked on the 27th day of July 2018. In addition, I was the Public Relations Officer of Federal Road Safety Club (5.23, Issele Uku Command) from 2011-2012, where I chaired the committee that planned and executed projects and programs on enlightenment, quiz, debates, sensitization, awareness, campaign, across various schools in the local government. And also, the deputy speaker of National Association of Philosophy Congress, University of Benin in 2009 and the Right Honourable Speaker of Supreme Congress, Faulty of Arts Students’ Association, University of Benin in 2009. As the Speaker, I was able to use my office to ensure that dilapidated buildings, classrooms within the faculty are fixed and furniture’s within the classrooms are in good condition to enable students to have an environment conducive for learning.
Finally, I was the Decoration Assistant Unit Leader of Living Faith Church, also known as Winners Chapel from 2015 to 2017 and became the Leader of the unit from 2017 to 2018, and I won the First Prize Award of State of Civil Society: 2016 in Photo Pictures organized by CIVICUS-World Alliance for Citizen Participation (https:/www.civicus.org/index.php/photo-contest). I have the skill to identify projects and implement it, formulate policy, network, collaborate, partner and reflect on issues, I am able to take on multiple tasks fairly, easily and able to learn new skills quickly and effectively.