My National Youth Service Experience

I would like to express my appreciation to this program because it gives me the opportunity to obtain a master’s degree and fulfil my dream. I am Ebenezer Okoidigun, a graduate of International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Benin. Although I did not grow up in a house with running water or regular electricity, my parents maximized whatever we had. I could recognize at my more adolescent age the value they placed on supporting people around us, a primary lesson I learned was; they were a paradigm of service. Growing attached to the local way of life, working with father in his printing business, living in a one room apartment with my parents, four siblings, one aunt, and uncle, I would say growing up wasn’t easy. At the age of

Reflecting on my experience in Benin, recognizing that my youth service would take me away from home, I recognize it as a great opportunity to impact the community assigned to serve in the Eastern part of Nigeria where I have never been before. My youth service experience dramatically changed my life. Serving in Ebonyi state taught me the true meaning of service, and I grew in confidence and became more independent. Participated in several community development projects, organized schools outreach and with a team of ten established a weekly children study group in three

Organizing projects to educate, engage and inspire individuals in communities some of which include Rape and Human Rights, Recycling and Peace and Security, Leadership and Entrepreneurship, etc. Actively involved as a volunteer with climate Wednesday, Eka-mi Africa and YALI Network working on climate change, education and community development.

Furthermore, my position as a UNICEF U-Reporter sharing and providing information on health, HIV/AIDS, disease outbreaks, water, sanitation and hygiene, youth unemployment, etc. to strengthen community-led development and citizen engagement. As a Global Youth Ambassador advocating and creating awareness on early childhood development as well as promoting educational equity.

Currently, I am working on a community project to …… This is part of my just concluded eight weeks training on public policy management with the YALI Regional Leadership Center, Accra, Ghana, an initiative of the United States government. Taking courses on leadership and accountability, ethics, contemporary issues affecting Africa and four weeks mentoring. While these experiences have been instrumental in shaping my professional career goals and exposure to systematic research, analytical thinking as well as information evaluation. I consider the recognition of societal or environmental needs and conscious efforts towards finding a solution is the civic responsibility