Amidst a chorus of jubilation and applause, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze, the Acting Project Coordinator of the Processing, Productivity Enhancement and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) in Enugu State, was bestowed with the prestigious leadership award by the South East Media Forum in a ceremony that epitomized grandeur and honor, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career.
The founder of the South East Media Forum, Mr. Norbert Okolo, shared with the press the rationale behind honoring Mrs. Eze, citing her exceptional contributions to humanity as the driving force behind the decision to confer her with this distinguished accolade.
"It is against the backdrop of Mrs. Ihuoma's remarkable leadership qualities and her unwavering commitment to uplifting communities that the South East Media Forum deemed her worthy of this esteemed recognition," Mr. Okolo elaborated, underscoring the profound impact of Mrs. Eze's endeavors.
Renowned for her prowess as a results-driven project manager, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze boasts a rich and diverse portfolio encompassing various spheres such as women and youth empowerment, livelihood and social/environmental safeguards, agriculture, public administration, and human resources management. Described as a highly spirited alpha female, she is celebrated for her diligence, innovation, proactive approach, and unwavering dedication to achieving goals, making her a quintessential team player..
In her role as the Acting State Project Coordinator of the recently concluded APPEALS project in Enugu State, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze spearheaded a remarkable success story characterized by diligence, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the project's primary objective of enhancing the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers across eleven priority value chains in Nigeria.
Under her astute leadership, Mrs. Eze and her team achieved remarkable milestones, including providing support to a total of 5,573 farmers in Enugu State. These farmers received grants in the form of input and technology support for the production, processing, and marketing of cashew, rice, and poultry, in addition to capacity-building initiatives aimed at improving agronomy practices. Furthermore, Mrs. Eze facilitated a start-up grant empowerment program benefiting 1,700 beneficiaries of women and youth empowerment initiatives, amplifying the positive impact of the APPEALS project within the community.
Mrs. Ihuoma Eze's journey into World Bank projects commenced during her tenure with NEWMAP, where she honed her skills before transitioning to the APPEALS project, where she served diligently for five years. Her citation highlights her instrumental role in ensuring that APPEALS met its project development objectives, culminating in the project's distinction as the best in the country in terms of fund utilization (93.3%) and performance based on activities (100%). These achievements have contributed significantly to the well-being of the people of Enugu State and humanity at large, cementing Mrs. Eze's legacy as a beacon of excellence and compassion in community development initiatives.
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| Mrs Ihuoma Eze |
About the Awardee;
Mrs. Ihuoma Eze epitomizes a dynamic and driven leader, showcasing qualities of diligence, innovation, proactivity, and goal-oriented teamwork. These attributes have propelled her as a trailblazer from her early years to her current role. Her focused and adept approach has allowed her to amass significant experience in a remarkably short period.
In her capacity as the Acting Project Coordinator and Women and Youth/Livelihood Specialist for the Agro-Processing, Productivity Enhancement, and Livelihood Improvement Support (APPEALS) Project in Enugu State—a World Bank Assisted Project—Mrs. Eze plays a pivotal role in enhancing the productivity of small and medium-scale farmers across 11 priority value chains in Nigeria. Under her coordination in Enugu State, the APPEALS Project has achieved commendable results, empowering 1,700 beneficiaries through the Women and Youth Empowerment Programme, including 85 individuals with disabilities. This initiative involves establishing start-up agro-businesses in five value chains. Additionally, over 3,000 farmers in Enugu State have received grants for input, technology support, and capacity building in cashew, rice, and poultry production, contributing significantly to the region and the nation.
With an impressive academic background, Mrs. Ihuoma Eze is currently a PhD Scholar at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Her expertise extends to her Master of Science Degree in Parasitology and Bachelor of Science Degree in Zoology. She ventured into World Bank Projects through her tenure at the Nigerian Watershed Erosion Management Project (NEWMAP) before transitioning to the APPEALS Project for a period of five years. Mrs. Eze's diverse activities and roles have honed her skills in project management, with international and national training in areas such as Project Facilitation, Social Emotional Skills of the Gender Innovation Lab of the World Bank, Effective Mediation Skills, Environmental and Social Safeguard Standards, and Basic Procurement.
As the Acting Project Coordinator, Mrs. Eze has effectively ensured that the APPEALS Project in Enugu surpasses its project development objectives. This achievement is reflected in the project's recognition as the best in the country for fund utilization (93.3%) and performance based on activities (100%), resulting in a multitude of positive impacts on the people of the State and humanity at large.
