SUCCESS MODEL CRUSH ~~~~ DOZIE NWAFOR

'Example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing'  Albert Schweitzer. Our success model today is DOZIE, lets meet him.


Can we get to know you?  

My name is Dozie Nwafor (Chiedozie in full, but it gets murdered a lot, so Dozie serves). I�m a

Nigerian from Anambra state, South-East Nigeria. I am the last of 3 children. I grew up in a very closely knit family. I am generally a happy soul and always thinking of the next thing to do to impact my community. I love to write socio-conscious articles, poems, read widely, especially history and biographies.

 Tell us about your background.

I am a Biologist. A Health Systems Professional, Health and Development Researcher; as well as a trained First Aider. Within the past year I have published 2 research articles on the International Journal for Research (IJR) and the Health Science Journal. I currently work on a donor funded HIV/AIDS Care and Treatment Program with an indigenous Health Systems management firm. I also serve as the Community Health Systems Manager for the World Economic Forum�s Global Shapers Community Abuja.

What are the challenges you faced while building yourself?

I want to think I am still building myself. I have not even started yet�Lol. But basically I�ve faced most of the challenges every other young Nigerian faces. I�ve had to push through every wall I�ve successfully climbed. Nothing works as it should here, so I�ve always had to put in extra efforts even if I have always demonstrated merit. A very interesting time in my life was probably when I fractured my pelvis, playing as a kid. It was a huge psychological and physical battle. I ended up

spending close to two years in the orthopedic hospital. By the time I got back to school, repeating primary 3, walking on crutches, I didn�t seem to know the most basic arithmetic. Apparently I ended that term as the least in the class. However, I graduated primary 6 as the overall best student. In Junior secondary school I made 12 A�s in my Junior WAEC, made 7 distinctions in Senior Secondary WAEC. Got into university same year I finished secondary school. Secured an Exxon Mobil scholarship in my first year studying Medicine and Surgery. That in itself presented a huge challenge as the college of Health Sciences in University of Abuja was going through all sorts of issues with accreditation at the time. Some of us had to discontinue the program to some other departments. But yea, life has not been all smooth sailing. I�ve had to climb hurdles, resist taking no for an answer, because I always set the highest standards for myself.

What can you say could have destroyed your dreams if you had engaged in it?

It�s a bit difficult to say. I never engaged in teenage vices, probably because I�ve always been the family oriented, good Christian child. But maybe if I had allowed my experiences defeat me. People deal with psychological challenges more than we can imagine. Good enough I am very strong-willed. I never crack under pressure.

What are your personal values or principles?

Pray, work hard; and always aim at being the best. Why settle for 99% if there is 100% to be made? Importantly, make sacrifices for humankind. The man who is truly great is the one who lives for the good of the other.

Tell us more about the impact you are making in your community as a young leader.

I�m utterly passionate about grooming a generation of youths who will drive social

transformation. I run a social enterprise, First Aid First Nigeria Initiative (FAFNI), where I have trained over 200 youths in basic live saving First Aid skills. The goal is to train 1000 by the end of next year. I particularly believe that everybody needs to have at least the most basic knowledge of First Aid. We need to know what to do in cases of emergency and accidents so that lives will be saved and treatment outcomes will be better and faster. Maybe more people won�t have to go through what I went through. I am a serial volunteer. As much as I am a very busy person, I always volunteer my expertise at the slightest opportunity I get. I�m very fortunate to lead the YALI Network Face2Face Group in Abuja; and believe me, these are some of the most amazing young leaders the world has. With the YALI Network Abuja we have implemented Mentorship programs bringing exceptional achievers in close contact with aspiring young leaders.

The impact has been phenomenal, this series has benefitted over 150 people and we are not stopping. We mentor students of Lead British International School and Pace Setters College; specifically the Prefects and Members of The Students Representative Council, and we are convinced that among this group, we�ll groom the next generation of Nigeria�s influencers and decision makers. We will be expanding our reach next year. There are so many other community targeted projects I�m currently developing on the YALI Network platform, Abuja Global Shapers and a couple other platforms I�m involved with. By mid-December and early 2017, the implementation will be very visible.

What is your favorite color, food and craziest thing you've ever done?

Favorite color is blue. Need I also add that I am a Chelsea fan? Favorite food maybe Jollof rice. I love pasta as well. I generally love foods and deserts, I�m only careful because I�m allergic to coconut and aki (palm fruit). Craziest thing I have done would probably be writing a news article about my friend in Secondary school after he dared me to. He was a prefect and I was the Vice President of the Press Club. We probably wanted to compare influence and I could get whatever news I wanted to trend round school. He didn�t believe I could reference him on the news article to be read to the entire school on assembly day. It was something mischievous. He didn�t talk to me for a couple of days or weeks sef, but it was all fun and games. How did I even remember this?...

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Five years from now, I�m developing health system models for governments and international organizations. I�m currently working on some research which hopefully will be basis for policy formation for the coming decades of health systems. I�m an advocate for comprehensive Health Extension Program Models if Universal Health Coverage is ever going to be achieved. Community engagement is crucial and more self-sustaining rather than short term interventions from organizations. I�m hoping I will be in a position to advice regional and international governments in the very near future; and I am working towards that. I�m a bit of an academic, so I�m definitely getting a couple of postgraduate degrees and short courses under my belt by God�s grace. Obviously I would still be actively engaged in harnessing young leaders globally. Good leadership can only be sustained by an even better succession plan.

 What is your view about young people of today?

My view has been one of optimism since the last two years. Mainly because I�ve met a good

number of young people who have renewed my hope in our ability and commitment to leave the world in a better state than we met it.

What word of advice do you have for young people today? 

Develop yourself. Read widely, grow your networks, serve your community without expecting remunerations. If we can spend more time acting than complaining, we would achieve greater results. Leadership is all about problem solving. Find a problem and fix it!

In 2015, Training over 150 Corps members in Benue state on Standard First Aid procedures.

Volunteering with ACE Charity, running a mobile clinic that provided comprehensive healthcare services to over 300 indigent people of Guzape village.

 With Zahra Buhari, ambassador of ACE Charity Africa Foundation at Community Outreach to Guzape Village, Abuja.

THANK YOU SO MUCH DOZIE NWAFOR!!!