About a couple of weeks ago, leaders from across Africa were hosted in Kigali for the JPI International Annual Conference, Rwanda 🇷🇼 2023 by Jamie Pajoel International, a Canadian registered organisation.
The 3-day conference which happened in Mariotte Hotel, Kigali from the 18th through 20th of August 2023, had at least 27 youths from Imo State, Nigeria fully sponsored by the Convener, Dr. Jamie Pajoel.
Jamie Pajoel, PhD is a Canada-based global leader from Nigeria. Although he lives in Canada, he continues to be a major support system to young people in Nigeria especially those from his State, Imo.
For the 27 fully sponsored Imo delegates who participated in the JPI International Conference, Rwanda 2023, it may be safe to say that it was indeed an experience not to forget in a hurry.
We will be sharing the experiences of some of the delegates.
One of The Social Voice Africa‘s publishers, John Best UCHE had an exclusive interview with Jennifer Chinenyenwa Emma-Obadi, a delegate in the just concluded JPI International Annual Conference, Rwanda 2023.
Let’s get to find out what Jennifer has to say about her Rwanda experience.
Q: Congratulations on your global leadership journey with Jamie Pajoel International. Could you please introduce yourself? Thank you!
JENNIFER: My name is Jennifer Chinenyenwa Emma-Obadi, I am a Women Development Consultant, transformational speaker, Founder of The Extraordinary Woman Academy, published Author, entrepreneur, wife and mom; a lover of Christ and a pastor at Dynasty of Glory Int’l Church.
Q: Great portfolio you’ve got. Would you like to share your story of how you became one among the 27 selected delegates from Imo State to participate in the JPI Annual Leadership Conference in Rwanda?
JENNIFER: I still remember scrolling the streets of Facebook that morning when I saw Dr Jamie Pajoel’s post about sponsoring 27 Imo State youths as delegates to the JPI Annual Leadership Conference in Rwanda.
Having known Dr. Jamie for a while as someone who loves to chew challenges, I knew he was not one to joke with words, so I quickly went to his post to shoot my shot.
After that, the question was what next? Would you make it to the list? Would you be selected? While these questions popped up in my heart, I had this level of peace and calmness that I was already going to visit Rwanda for the first time. lol!
On the day I got the interview email, I was super excited and began to prepare for the interview. We all expected the interview to be an oral interview only, so I prepared for an oral interview and was super ready to lock my spot. But getting to the interview, it was tougher than I expected. The moment I saw Barr. Austin Nnadi walked in with his team with some booklets, I just said to myself: ‘Get ready for a written interview.” Barr. Austin Nnadi was consulted to handle the interview process and if you know him, he is someone who is huge on value and has great intellect. Long story short, the interview began and we had both written and oral interviews. The interview process was mind tasking I must say.
Q: How did the news of the selection come to you? I mean how did you receive the news? Considering it was an all-expense paid trip to and from Rwanda. How did you feel?
JENNIFER: I felt super excited and happy, not just because I was going to be visiting Rwanda for the first time, but because it’s an all-expense paid trip, and I was certain about the value I would be getting.
Q: What do you think made you qualify for the selection? Is there anything you’re doing differently that other young people could learn from to benefit from similar opportunities as this?
JENNIFER: The grace of God, being intentional, discovering purpose, and living that purpose diligently and consistently.
Q: Now, let’s talk about the Rwanda trip proper. How was the JPI Annual Leadership Conference, Rwanda 2023? Your experience!
JENNIFER: It was astonishing, fascinating, and transforming. The excellence in delivery was 101%. I experienced a mind shift, gained deeper and new insight, gained fresh knowledge that would help me scale in life and business, and also built new strong networks, the kind I was looking out for. I can’t explain all that the conference did for me in words but I must say a big thank you to Dr Jamie and the entire Jamie Pajoel team. Indeed they outdid themselves.
Q: On a scale of 0-10, how would you rate the entire conference?
JENNIFER: 10/10. My rating is based on excellence and global best practice.
Q: What does this experience mean to you and your brand?
JENNIFER: It means a lot as it keeps giving us (me) more visibility.
Q: What stood out for you as a delegate in the conference?
JENNIFER: A lot of things, but I choose to talk about the cultural night and a visit to the genocide memorial. The cultural night was thrilling with so much fun and it displayed the beauty and richness of African culture.
The genocide memorial on the other hand was quite an emotional experience. At the memorial, we got to see and learn a lot about the genocide that happened in Rwanda in 1994. The pain, and challenges they went through as a nation. The memorial made me appreciate unity, and how visionary leadership can transform a society. There is a whole lot to share, but I will stop here for now.
Q: That’s emotional indeed. May their souls find rest. JPI Annual Leadership Conference, Rwanda is over. What’s the next line of action for you?
JENNIFER: I had a whole lot going on before the Rwanda trip and a lot planned out for the year 2023, but let me say, I came back with more fire, zeal, passion, and staying power to push through. Currently, at The Extraordinary Woman Academy, we are working on “Get It Right Or Go Home Coaching”. It’s a program carefully designed for women, to help them build lasting relationships and marriages while attaining their highest potential. With the rate of divorce in our society today, and the rate of women having to abandon their purpose and assignment because of marriage, we thought to help more women become high flyers while having a great marriage. GIRGOH is designed to show women the road map to building great homes while heading for and or being at the top. This program is for both single ladies and married.
Q: Slightly away from the conference. Let’s talk about your personal experience of the African city called Kigali, Rwanda’s capital. I was going to ask if you have been there before but you mentioned that in one of your responses above. What’s your experience of Rwanda?
JENNIFER: This is my first time visiting a city of a thousand hills, and just like the name, it’s really a city of a thousand hills. I had so much fun in Rwanda and my experience validated my belief that one day, we will have the Nigeria we seek. I must also say that having achieved what they have achieved as a country 29 years post-genocide. It’s a lot, and I give them their flowers.
Rwanda is a very calm, neat and beautiful city with good roads and a steady power supply. Rwanda is so organised to the extent that motorcycle riders obey traffic. Lol! The first time I experienced their bike ride, it was fun. They have helmets for both the rider and the passenger. I also love their learning system; they use more of the 70-20-10 model. 70% learning from experience/internships, 20% from peers, and 10% from the classroom.
Overall, my experience of the city was amazing. My experience in Rwanda further validated my belief in visionary leadership, making the best out of challenging situations, transparency, and preserving the history and culture of a nation. Rwanda is so huge on these things and this has helped them foster more peace, and unity and rebuild their country within such a short time.
Q: How would you rate Kigali as an African city on a scale of 0-10?
JENNIFER: 8/10, as they are fast developing.
Q: Is Kigali, Rwanda a city and country you would love to live in or at least, visit more often? Why?
JENNIFER: For now, I am not ready to live outside Nigeria. I love Nigeria and believe that I have a lot to contribute here. No doubt I can contribute to building Nigeria from anywhere in the world, as the world is now a global village. Regardless, I want to live in Nigeria for now. This might change later or anytime soon, till then I will resort to visiting other countries. Lol!
Yes, I would love to visit Rwanda more often, I love the calmness of the city. Visiting often will also keep reminding me that people and nations can build out of nothing and rise to the top.
Q: What does your experience of Kigali city have to add to your community back here in Nigeria in terms of development?
JENNIFER: A lot. While I was in Rwanda, I made up my mind to teach and emphasize more on peace, unity, diversity and inclusion.
Also, this trip has increased my hunger to do more and help more people become. Last year, The Extraordinary Woman Academy launched Skill Up Woman, a social impact project where we trained over 50 women in my community on relevant skills that can help them build financial independence and the result was massive. This year, it’s going to be stronger and better. Plans are already in progress and the project will be executed in the last week of November.
Q: How would you describe the gesture of Jamie Pajoel International as the organiser of this conference?
JENNIFER: Words alone cannot describe how I feel about this gesture, trust me. It’s a whole lot. Dr Jamie has a large heart and a heart to help others rise, and this large heart keeps finding expression through Jamie Pajoel International. For me, Jamie Pajoel International is a global name that represents Excellence, Leadership and Human Capacity Development. Jamie Pajoel International is a force to reckon with, and again I want to say a big thank you to JPI for this great opportunity.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to talk about? Closing thoughts.
JENNIFER: I want to really encourage every young person out there. There is dignity in pursuing the right course. Commitment and intentionality in doing the right things are key in whatever you find yourself doing. Anybody can become something from nothing, keep building and sooner than you think, you will have the attention of the world.
I won’t fail to give a big shout-out to my husband and kids for being so loving and amazing, Ndidi Anike Val-Okeoma for all her care and support all through the process. I remember that I almost missed signing my offer letter if not for her. Talk about how she literally called to check up on me and other delegates almost daily during the trip. Such love! A big shout-out to all my team members for holding on and having seamless operations in my absence. A big shout-out to all delegates, you all made the trip amazing.
I also want to say a big thank you to The Social Voice Africa for having me, regardless of how long it took to get this interview done due to my busy schedule. Thank you and I wish you all the best.
JOHN BEST: It’s great having you share your experience with us and the entire world. I must say this is quite inspiring. Let’s hope that other young people draw inspiration from your story. Thank you for granting us audience.
Did you have a great read? Please, share in the comment section the most inspiring part of the interview for you.
And let us know which delegate you would love to have featured next.
Meanwhile, if you’re yet to register for the JPI International Youth Leadership Conference, Port Harcourt 2024, you may do that NOW.
#TheSocialVoiceAfrica
#TheSocialVoice
#Blog
#TSVAfrica
This Post Has 2 Comments
The part that inspired me was “Commitment and intentionality in doing the right things are key in whatever you find yourself doing”
Thank you ma for sharing👏👍
Oh, thank you for reading. And we are glad you’re inspired by this read.
Kindly share with your community.
Again, thank you!