Meet Maureen

Tell us about life in your hometown?

I grew up in Nkume, Njaba L.G.A of Imo State. In a community which is made up of retired civil servants and the aged. Life in Nkume seems a bit boring. The main source of income involves petty trading at the local market named “Afor Nkume”. There is restrained access to better living and quality education; literally, young able bodied men or women found living at Nkume are mostly taxi drivers ("okada"), young house wives, petty traders or peasant farmers. This is partly attributed to the level of backwardness, boredom, lack of social basic amenities and awareness on the part of this small rural community.


What roles do you think education and acquiring marketable skills play in the development of a country like Nigeria?

In the world today, certain features must have to be put into consideration before development can be achieved. These features include education and public awareness, advancement in technology, poverty eradications and other vital facets of life.

Education attracts a lot of dependency from the under- developed community which most of us as Nigerians are part of. On the other hand, it brings about facing positive challenges towards the future, ahead and the rigors of life in general. However, a marketable skill enhances the public and creates an avenue towards a positive society. A society that is free from backwardness, illiteracy, total dependence on government and other social menace.

Tell us about how you found out about opportunities at the Owerri Digital Village?

I have been with Youth for Technology Foundation and the Owerri Digital Village (ODV) now for over 2 years and the opportunities afforded me have been awesome. As a programme manager at the center, I am involved with recruiting students, training and providing career and mentoring services and support for the young people in the community.

What are some of your most fulfilling experiences as a programme manager at the Owerri Digital Village?
My experience as a programme manager at ODV has built on my belief that with hard work, determination and equal opportunities, everyone, regardless of social, cultural or religious background can achieve his or her dreams. With each of the youth that I interact with on a daily basis here at the center, I always emphasize that they maintain a positive attitude, thinking and good team spirit.

What do you see when you think about the future of ODV?
We intend getting approval from our Executive Director so as to continue in our participation with Imo State University and other local institutions of higher learning.

We also intend improving our awareness exercise to some other rural communities for the sole purpose of training.I see the future of ODV as a “Training Centre” capable of empowering the youth and the citizenry at large.


What have been some of the challenges at ODV?
The basic problem at the moment still remains that of the bottleneck syndrome.
This has always emanates in our visits to some public schools for the sole purpose of computer programme awareness, where permission are demanded from their principal instructing the members of my team to secure certain documents issued from Ministry of Education before commencement of our duties.

The thin line between volunteers both onsite and online needs to be beefed up, together with our contribution towards ongoing online conference.
This simply can be solved by either providing an internet connection at ODV or increasing our browsing rate per a length of time.

What do you enjoy doing, generally, outside of work?
I enjoy learning and receiving encouragement from other team players.
As a young lady, I choose to develop my career in spite of certain challenges and tasks for women in Nigeria, particularly women in technology. Outside of work, I like to watch good movies.

What is life like being a young educated woman in Nigeria?
Life as a young educated woman in Nigeria, and indeed in many developing countries across Africa is not easy. The role for women is often defined for us by the men in the community. I very much believe that "what a man can do a woman can do better”, and this is my platform against all odds.