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WASHINGTON FELLOWSHIP FOR YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS BIOGRAPHIES OF THE 2014 WASHINGTON FELLOWS The Washington Fellowship is a program of the United States Government and is supported in its implementation by IREX. Version 2 –Current as of June 17, 2014 Hassan Adaweh Abdi, Djibouti, Public Management, Howard University Hassan Adaweh Abdi has over four years of experience working at the Institute of Sciences and New Technologies of the Djibouti National Research Centre-CERD. Currently, he is a Research Assistant in Information Technology at the CERD where he works on speech recognition algorithms in the Somali language, in order to preserve the endangered Somali linguistic and cultural heritage. He often conducts field trips inside the country to collect data related to history, culture, law, and customs of the Djiboutian communities and later puts the information together in a large corpus that he uses in his algorithms. Hassan holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from the International Islamic University in Malaysia. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, he plans to work on the preservation of the Djibouti linguistic and cultural heritage through modern information technologies with a focus on social leadership. Paul Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu, Ghana, Public Management Morgan State University Hilarius Asiwome Kosi Abiwu is a clinician working with the Ministry of Health since April 2007. He is the Deputy Secretary of the Medical Superintendents Group and serves as the sole doctor at the Krachi West District Hospital, a government owned hospital in a disadvantaged area of Ghana. Hilarius received a bachelor’s degree in Medical Science and Surgery from the University of Ghana Medical School. He is currently pursuing an executive master’s degree in Business Administration. Upon completing the Washington Fellowship, he hopes to share his new knowledge with his colleagues at the Ministry of Health to encourage them to become change agents and produce a world-class health system in Ghana. Ashiru Adamu Abubakar, Nigeria, Civic Leadership, Tulane University Ashiru Abubakar currently serves as a medical officer with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital. He is responsible for providing clinical services to the hospital's amenity clients as well as care and support to HIV patients including the prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV. He also serves as a development worker with Health Education Initiative for Women (HEIFOW), a non-governmental organization where he mentors facility health committees and provides care and support to orphans and vulnerable children in rural communities. He received the 2013 Newborn Health Hero award from Evidence for Action for his work conducting voluntary blood donation campaigns. Ashiru graduated from Bayero University Kano with a medical degree in 2009. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, he intends to use the skills and linkages acquired to ensure equitable access to quality health care, especially to the underprivileged and vulnerable in his community, country, and throughout Africa and the world. Fatima Madaki Abubakar, Nigeria, Civic Leadership, Rutgers University Fatima Madaki has over seven years of experience working in areas related to education, environment, peace building, gender, and leadership. She is the Conflict Management Research Fellow for Mercy Corps Nigeria and is responsible for coordinating programs related to inter religious peace building in Northern Nigeria. Fatima is the founder of Education & Sustainable Livelihood Youth Initiative (ESLYI), a youth-led organization that focuses on engaging youth; especially girls, in environmental sustainability, peace, and education related projects. She holds a bachelor’s of science in Psychology from the Federal University of Jos, Nigeria. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, she intends to provide conflict resolution assistance to pastoralist/herder and farmer conflicts in the middle-belt region of Nigeri. She plans to focus more on women and children affected by these conflicts and will organize women led peace initiatives aimed at promoting environmental sustainability, cultural tolerance, poverty reduction, and improving access to education for children. 1 Adediran Olasile Adegoke, Nigeria, Public Management University of Minnesota Diran Adegoke’s experience spans the fields of Information Technology, Human Resources & Public Management. He is currently an Administrative Officer in the Human Resources division of Joint Admissions & Matriculation Board (JAMB), where he championed the move for the computerization of the human resources processes. He is a Teens' Counselor and Youth leaders in his church. Adediran holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy and a Master of Business Administration, both from Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria. Upon his return from the Washington Fellowship, he plans to use his newly acquired knowledge and status to further build on his success with JAMB by pushing for the computerization of the operational processes in all government organizations in Nigeria. Fozya Tesfa Adem, Ethiopia, Public Management, Syracuse University Fozya Tesfa has over nine years of experience working in the education sector. She is founder and current Dean of the School of Education at the University of Gondar, responsible for recruiting instructors, working with instructors on curriculum planning and delivery, training and advising students, and organizing and delivering pedagogical trainings. Fozya holds a Master of Arts in Educational Planning and Management from Addis Ababa University focusing on identifying management problems and prioritizing possible solutions in technical and vocational education and training institutions. She is also a Ph.D. candidate in Comparative and International Education at the same university with a special emphasis on pre-primary education. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Fozya plans to work towards improving the quality of education in Ethiopia by empowering teachers and students and to advocate for children and other stakeholders throughout the educational system. Adegboyega Doja Adewolu, Nigeria, Public Management, Morgan State University Adegboyega Adewolu has five years of experience in finance and public management. He currently serves as a Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Ogun State on public private partnerships (PPP). In this capacity, he is responsible for initiating, designing, and structuring core and social infrastructural PPP projects, ensuring value for money is achieved and operational integrity is sustained. He has used his position to promote social change and political participation of young people in policy making and implementation. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Economics and a masters degree in International Business Management. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Gboyega intends to continue building his career in financial public management and use the experience as a springboard to pursue his campaign for strong and credible democratic Institutions that will enhance national development in Nigeria. Harriet Yayra Adzofu, Ghana, Public Management, Florida International University Harriet Adzofu is a Psychiatric Nurse working with the Accra Psychiatric Hospital since 2008. Her focus is to work directly with people suffering from mental disorders, their relatives, and the larger community in early prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. Harriet conducts several health educational talks in her community to empower people to live healthy lifestyles. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Central University College, a HND in Public Health Nursing from Public Health Nursing School, and a diploma in Mental Health Nursing from Nurses Training College. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship, Harriet plans to establish an NGO to strengthen mental health awareness in Ghana with the aim of reducing the stigmatization of people with mental disorders and protecting their fundamental human rights. She believes that people who suffer from a mental illness are equally talented and can achieve their full potential and contribute immensely to national development when given the needed support and resources. 2 Gerald Kobobo Afadani, Cameroon, Public Management, Howard University Gerald Kobobo Afadani has over five years of experience working with presiding magistrates and liaising with litigants and counsels in the administration of justice at the Court of First Instance Tikoas. He is a Member Delegate to the Joint Court Registry Administrative Board and Permanent Disciplinary Council where he participates in the career evaluation and management of over 2,000 colleagues. He also serves as the Chief of the Trade and Personal Property Rights Register where he is responsible for the study, verification, and registration of companies. Gerald holds a master’s degree in Business Law, and a law degree in English Private Law, both from the University of Yaoundé II in Soa. Upon completion of the Washington Fellowship program, he plans to extend the use of electronic templates in the incorporation of businesses to the Courts of First Instance. He also plans to advocate for and pilot the use of an integrated court management and business incorporation model. Alaba Lawrence Afere, Nigeria, Business and Entrepreneurship Northwestern University Lawrence Afere has five years of experience working in youth and enterprise development with a focus on jobs and wealth creation