Afro wig-wearing staff members of ActionAid Nigeria bid farewell to their Country Director, Mrs Ene Obi, on Thursday, August 24 2023. The staff took time to celebrate and eulogise Obi, who was Country Director for the past six years, and who was known for her iconic afro wig.
Ene Obi was the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria from 2017 to August 2023.
Ene Obi has been a staff member of the organisation for more than 14 years, in which capacity she has operated not only in Nigeria but in 15 other countries in Africa and the world. Ene cut her teeth as an activist during her student days at the University of Jos in Nigeria, where she was one of the leaders of the student union. These experiences shaped her interventions and leadership style, addressing her work at the policy level by engaging at the grassroots to mobilise the voices of women, young people, and the poor to shape policy. Joining ActionAid Nigeria and also operating at the international level of the organisation that pursues equity and poverty eradication, Ene fit snugly.
Ene’s achievements came to life when the staff members spoke glowingly about Ene Obi on that Thursday. From ActionAid Nigeria posts that AkweyaTV monitored on Facebook, the atmosphere was sombre, though Mrs Obi herself tried to lighten it by dancing to some of the bright Afropop music that served as the backdrop for the event.
Fondly describing their outgoing Executive Director as “Mother and Leader,” the staff members wrote on the Facebook page: “Ene’s Journey is a testament to her unwavering commitment to social justice and human rights. Her story is nothing short of inspiring. We love you. #eneobisendforth”
During her early years, Ene actively fought for democracy and experienced imprisonment, detention, and abduction by the military at that time. Subsequently, she worked with the labour movement and spearheaded a feminist campaign, all to shape governance in Nigeria’s federal framework.
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