Meet Our International Technical Advisors
Balkisu AKANDE
Program Manager
Relief International, Sana’a,
YEMEN
Balkisu Akande is a long-life enthusiast of improved quality health, food, nutrition, and protection interventions, with educational background in Nursing and Public Health. She is a self-driven humanitarian aid worker whose sole purpose is geared towards saving lives. She is passionate about walking the extra mile to help alleviate hardships of affected population and maintaining human dignity while at it. The humanitarian field is not just a profession for her, but a way of life that demands dedication.
Balkisu has over 9 years’ experience designing and managing programmes targeted at improving the wellness of vulnerable groups and nutritionally impoverished communities through integrated programming. She has expertise in Health, Nutrition, Cash-based interventions (both electronic vouchers and cash), delivered with different donors’ fund for food/livelihoods, cash-plus for nutrition, standalone and mainstreaming protection, education, WASH (Water, Sanitation and hygiene), and health outcomes.
In addition to her technical competencies, she is highly skilled in resource mobilization, financial management and people management. With a proven track record of success in complex settings, Balkisu remains a strategic thinker with keen ability to spot possibilities, analyze risks and develop innovative solutions to drive positive change. She has worked in the both local and international organizations in most rural communities of Nigeria, providing specialized care and support to adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers, newborns, and children generally under the age of 59months.
She also leads a multi-sectoral project in the most affected regions of Yemen. Her caring and empathetic nature, coupled with her good listening skills has contributed a great deal to success in her field of work. Balkisu is a Registered Nurse, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, and Masters in Public Health (Epidemiology). She is also Project DPro certified..
Victor Abiodun OJO
Associate Professor
University of Maiduguri,
NIGERIA
Victor Abiodun OJO, is a thorough bred Wildlifer, with great passion for environmental sustainability and development of alternative utilisation of natural resources as a way of ensure preservation of wildlife for future generation. He has over fifteen (15) years of lecturing experience and interacting with undergraduates; community participation/ public education on climate change sustainability practices, tree practices campaign; especially on the Arid environment of Northeastern Nigeria.
Biodun Ojo is an Associate Professor, in the Department of Forestry and Wildlife, University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. He is a member of Wildlife Society of Nigeria (WISON), African Primatological Society, Nigeria Tropical Biology Association and many others. He holds Bachelors; Masters and PhD Degrees in Wildlife Management of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
He has passion for community development and youth education in sustainable methods of utilising wildlife and habitat to maintain healthy population and enhance human wellbeing.
Beauty Kujinga NHIDZA
Founder/Director
RocknRoll Generation Foundation,
ZIMBABWE
Beauty Kujinga Nhidza is a feminist, a proponent of girl child rights, a trained public speaker, and a fellow motivated by a deep love for mankind, service to her motherland, and the empowerment of girls. Beauty has over 10 years of experience working in the humanitarian space. She has worked with girls and women on education, health, human rights, climate change, advocacy, public awareness, and economic empowerment. Growing up in rural areas gave her firsthand opportunity to understand how vulnerable girls are in rural areas, hence her view of the girl-childs’ plight as knocks on the door of her soul.
Beauty also discovered that her adversities and what she witnessed as a child that has served as a model for why she must stand up, advocate, protect, and empower herself and vulnerable girls in Zimbabwe, Hence, she founded RocknRoll Generation Foundation with the aim to emancipate woman and the girl child from all forms of abuse and neglect, addressing the concerns and protecting her from all forms of segregation. The organisation comprises of link-minded young men and women with unique stories and work experiences children and women’s rights, came together, combining their intellectual and material resources to fight inequality, ensuring the marginalised become part of the
future. Bringing up a rare breed of women who are not victims but victors in all spheres of life, despite one’s race or creed.
Beauty is also a member of the Ignite Afrique Charity Organization, an organization that works to enhance the lives of all people in Zimbabwe who are impacted by autism. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Records and Archives Management, a Master’s degree in Strategic Management, Certificates; in Human Resources management,
Leadership and Caregiving. In 2022, Beauty was also Awarded “Community Role Model” by Olympus International Awards in partnership with Famram Foundation, South Africa.
Founding Director.
Anup Kumar DEY
Sustainability and Climate Finance Expert
Research Assistant, CACIM, New Delhi,
INDIA
UNV Personnel, UNDP INDIA, United Nations, New York, USA
At the intersection of sustainability and climate finance lies Anup Kumar Dey- an emerging leader seeking innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. With experience spanning the UN, corporate sector, academia and grassroots NGOs, Anup brings a multifaceted perspective. His proven skills in Stakeholder Engagement, Project Management, ESG Metrics, Data Analysis and Strategic Planning enable him to drive impact at scale.
He has successfully completed 5 high-impact projects on Climate Change, Wetland Conservation, Environmental Accounting and Business Development. His expertise ranges from ESG Metrics, Green Finance Models, Geospatial Analysis using ArcGIS and Economic Valuation Techniques. Anup hold a M.Sc. in Environmental Geography with Geospatial Science.
Anup has several publications showcasing his research abilities and thought leadership. He has trained from NASA ARSET, US EPA, UNEP, UNITAR, IUCN, UNICEF, Harvard Medical School, University of Michigan, University of Georgia, Wetland International, IEEE GRSS, British Council, IIT Bombay, IIT Ropar, JNU, BHU, NIDM, India, IIRS-ISRO, and several Central Universities of India. He has participated in more than 80 workshops and seminar to hone his skill and deliberate on. He was awarded by Russian Geographical Society for being First and showcasing his outstanding knowledge in Geographical Quiz.
At the UNDP, he honed his project management and training skills, working closely with the corporate sector and local communities. With NGOs like Shivganga and EvalYouth, Anup spearheaded participatory models for sustainable development. A passionate advocate for environmental stewardship, Anup has been involved with organizations like YOUNGO, UNFCCC, EvalYouth Global Network, Global Youth Biodiversity Network, Royal geographical Society, IGU YECG Taskforce, AAEES, Society for Ecological Restoration, Greenpeace International and the British Ecological Society. He is also a recipient of the GangaQuest Fellowship for his work on river conservation. His versatility, international exposure and excellent academic credentials make him well-poised to drive impactful change.
Prof Cordelia Ifeyinwa EBENEBE
Professor/Dean- Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University,
Consultant- Federal Ministry of Environment,
NIGERIA
Cordelia Ifeyinwa Ebenebe is a Professor of Animal Science and Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria. She is also a Fellow of Animal Science Association of Nigeria (FASAN) and College of Animal Scientists of Nigeria (FCASN) with 24 years experience as a Lecturer and researcher with special interest in edibles insects. Prof. Cordelia has published 7 books and over 80 research articles in learned journals and conference proceedings. She hold a Ph.D. in Biological Conservation, M.Sc. in Animal Science and B. Agric. Tech. in Animal Production and Health Technology.
Aside her Academic life, Prof. Cordelia is an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) expert, she has conducted over 40 environmental Impact Assessment as an expert in Ecology and Bio-conservation for the Federal Ministry of Environment in so many parts of Nigeria.
She heads several organization, to mention but a few; President- Organization for Women in Science in the Developing World (OWSD) UNIZIK Chapter; President- Women Academics in Agriculture; Chairman- Animal Science Association of Nigeria (Anambra State), National Chairman- Livestock and Environment in the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science, where she is also a council member; National treasurer- Nigerian Malacological Society.
She believes in women and youth empowerment and has facilitated several women and youth initiatives
Ifeanyichukwu EZEBIALU
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State.
NIGERIA
Ifeanyichukwu Ezebialu is a motivated obstetrician-gynecologist, a Professor in the department, and a clinical consultant at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University/Teaching Hospital (formerly known as Anambra State University/Teaching Hospital), with over 17 years of experience.
His areas of interest are Maternal-fetal Medicine and Clinical epidemiology, and he has a strong commitment to making pregnancy safer for our women.
His medical education began at the University of Benin, where He obtained his MBBS degree. Afterwards, He had his postgraduate training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Residency) at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, after which he obtained his Fellowship of the West African College of Surgeons (FWACS) and Fellowship of the Medical College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FMCOG). He was also awarded the Young Gynaecologist Fellowship at the World FIGO conference in Rome.
Ifeanyichukwu is the Associate Director of the South East coordinating unit of Cochrane Nigeria. He is involved in training on and conduct of Systematic Reviews. He has been the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee in the Teaching Hospital and the Director of Residency Training.
Outside his medical career, Ifeanyichukwu is has passion for youth development.
Dr. Hassan YAKUBU
Director, Borno State Ministry of Animal and Fisheries Resources,
NIGERIA
Hassan Yakubu is Doctor of Veterinary Medicine with 32 years experience. He is a Member National Veterinary Association of Nigeria. Beyond his Professional career, Dr. Hassan is a leader per excellence who have passion for the youth development and sustainable environment.
Dr Hassan is also Senior Pastor, Kingdom Discipleship Ministry International and patron to several youth led organizations.
Farouk Yusuf
Humanitarian Practitioner,
UKRAINE
Farouk Yusuf is a dedicated and highly motivated humanitarian practitioner with a wealth of experience in emergency response. Over the course of eight (8) years, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership in coordinating strategic programmes across Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Non-Food Items/Common Pipeline, and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) clusters.
In his extensive field experience within the humanitarian emergency context, Farouk has proven strengths in developing and implementing responses related to Non-Food Items/Common Pipeline, CCCM, Shelter, WASH, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation. His expertise extends to safety audit/mapping, protection mainstreaming, and coordination at both field and cluster levels, with a keen focus on the fundamental “Do-No-Harm” principle.
Throughout the last 8 years, Farouk’s impactful activities have spanned Northeastern Nigeria, where he engaged with over 200 camps and collaborated with more than 40 agencies, including the United Nations, International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and national NGOs across various sectors or clusters. His efforts notably included implementing the localization of national partners (15) in CCCM, the shelter/NFI Sector, and successful fundraising initiatives.
In the Eastern region of Ukraine, Farouk played a pivotal role in evolving the implementation of Non-Food Item (NFI) distributions. He transitioned from blanket distributions, where rapid need assessments justified distribution, to a more targeted approach that involves comprehensive needs assessments and verifications. This meticulous process ensures a thorough understanding of needs collated from various stakeholders, clusters, or CCCM.
Farouk Yusuf holds a degree in Animal Science, complemented by a first Master’s degree in Humanitarian Refugee Studies and a second Master’s degree in Sustainability Development and Diplomacy. His educational background reflects a commitment to a multidisciplinary approach in addressing the complex challenges faced by disaster- and conflict-affected communities.
A core expertise of Farouk lies in the design, implementation, and evaluation of interventions, showcasing his ability to address the immediate needs of communities affected by disasters and conflicts efficiently. Importantly, his dedication extends beyond short-term relief efforts, as he is steadfast in delivering sustainable solutions that contribute to long-lasting positive change. Farouk Yusuf’s professional journey exemplifies a tireless commitment to humanitarian principles and a passion for making a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.
