My Stroll with Glen Mulcahy, Founder, #MojoCon

Sir Cam Photography

Welcome to the first episode of “The Stroll Live” for 2017. Been a while right? After 120 Episodes we sure had to take a break and rebrand to come back bigger and better for you!

Today’s guest, Glen Mulcahy — renowned Mobile Journalist and founder of MojoCon — speaks with me from Ireland. Glen told me about his life and career, the future of journalism and of course what we should look forward to during this year’s MojoCon. RTÉ MojoCon is a leading international media conference focusing on mobile journalism, mobile content creation, mobile photography and new technology all in one event.

Listen to the full podcast or read a summarized transcript below

My Stroll with Michael Møller, Director General, United Nations Office Geneva

“Luck is something that you create.” – Michael Møller

UN Photo

The World Economic Forum has really become a huge part of my international life and exposure, seeing that the two occasions I’ve had to travel out of Nigeria has been for WEF events—Last year in Cape Town for the World Economic Forum on Africa and last August for the Global Shapers Community’s Annual Curators Meeting (ACM) in Geneva, Switzerland.

ACM was explosive. It was the bomb! (Pardon my millennial vocab) It was a lot of sparks and a lot of learning. Meeting Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum, one-on-one for the first time and discussing with Mr David Nabarro, Adviser to the UN Secretary General on the 2030 Agenda, on the work we’re doing at the Government of Rivers State SDGs Office in Nigeria, were top on the list of high points for me. However, the icing on the cake came on August 23rd, when I had a 12 noon appointment with Mr Michael Møller, Director General of the United Nations Office Geneva (UNOG).

Mr Møller is such a cool guy. I can’t even say that enough. He embodies humility and that curiosity to learn new things which he actually described as one of his core values in course of our conversation. For the first time, I streamed a stroll to the global audience in real time, thanks to Facebook Live. Shout out to Alessandra who volunteered to act as a tripod because my selfie stick got broken one day to the interview :( Alessandra saved the day! Lol

We discussed how the over 12,000 meetings held at UNOG annually affects the lives of people all around the world as well as his thoughts on the Selection of the Next Secretary General, the SDGs as well as exchanged gifts :) Which was the coolest part!

You can watch, download the podcast, or read the summarized transcript below. So right now you don’t have any more excuses :)

My Stroll with Jennifer Uchendu, Founder, SustyVibes

Credit: Anny Roberts

Born on the 10th of August 1992, Jennifer Uchendu hails from Umuopara in Umuahia, Abia State. She is a graduate of Biochemistry from Covenant University and has developed herself to a sustainability analyst passionate about improving sustainability action amongst African youths, an unapologetic ecofeminist who continues to relate women development and empowerment to Sustainable Development via the work that she does.

She is the founder of SustyVibes, an organisation positioned to change the conceptualisation of Sustainability in Africa especially amongst Youths, via innovative features and projects like Susty Parties – where she hosted a gathering with over 60 youths to discuss major sustainability issues over movies, food and games. Her Susty Schools campaign has till date trained over 350 school children on the SDGs, her Susty Places project promotes African Ecotourism. Jennifer has experience working with government, NGOs, Farms, Multinationals and E-commerce companies.

I take a stroll with this beautiful young woman to share her story so far, and look forward to the bright and green future ahead!!

I hope you enjoy our conversation. Happy Birthday Twinny :)

#Youth4SDGs: A Stroll with Siamak Sam Loni, Global Coordinator, UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network-Youth

“I feel strongly about Goal 10, Reduced Inequalities, as that goal reflects on a lot of my experiences that I had in Pakistan with poverty and inequality. I think a lot of our issues stem from that problem of inequality…” 

~ Siamak Sam Loni 

By year 2030, I will be 38 years old. This statement doesn’t make any sense until you realize that 2030 is the deadline we set for ourselves to actualize the ambitious 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The results of these goals will be inherited by today’s young people who by then will be in their 30s and 40s. Will it be a richer, cleaner, and more equal world? Or will it be one filled with death and decay? Our actions today will determine that to a large extent. So, considering this don’t you think it is important that we involve today’s young people into the implementation of the SDGs considering that the results of this process will be borne by them in the next 15 years? 

These are some issues I discussed with Siamak Sam Loni, Global Coordinator of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network - Youth. Siamak, a young Australian who is originally of Iranian descent, shares with me different steps young people can take to contribute meaningfully to the SDGs implementation process in their countries and communities; his thoughts on the 2016 World Happiness Report; as well as a political secret about his family. 

I’ve been “strolling” around the world since 2013 but it’s the first time I’m strolling with a guest from the other side of the Equator, so in case you hear us say “Good Morning” and “Good Evening”, we mean that literally (Lol). It’s 9am in Port Harcourt, Nigeria and 7pm in Melbourne, Australia, and we had this wonderful conversation. 

Listen to this interview on the #StrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below

A Stroll with Kola Tubosun, Teacher, Writer, Linguist and Founder, YorubaName.com

“Because of my field Goal 4, Quality Education, is very important to me, and I am equally passionate about ending hunger, Goal 1, and gender equality, Goal 5. Education should be equitable and it should be done in a language the children can understand” 

~ Kola Tubosun

Backdrop

Kola Tubosun made history in January 2016 when he was named 2016 recipient of the Premio Ostana International Award for Scriptures in the Mother Tongue—the first African to win this prestigious award. Also in 2015 he received the Culture Award at the CNN Multichoice African Journalist Awards 2015 for his story on “Abeokuta’s Living History”.

I got really interested in his work when I came across his project YorubaName.com, a website that can tell you the meaning and pronunciation for over 3,100 yoruba names and counting, and when I got to read about his exploits and activism for Nigerian Indigenous Languages and the Yoruba language in particular. 

Kola, who had also previously translated the Nigerian constitution and the SDGs to Yoruba, shares with me some ideas to revive the Nigerian indigenous languages; his work with Google, and how his background and family influenced his current career path. 

Listen to our conversation on the #StrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below

#MWF2016: A Stroll with Dehab Ghebreab, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate Lagos

“Goal 4 and 5 are very important to me and they are connected. I believe if there’s good and equal education in a country, and if there are fair laws that protect women & girls and give them equal opportunity to excel, I think the overall political and economic situation of a country will change” ~ Dehab Ghebreab

I was not so lucky this year with my 2016 Mandela Washington Fellowship application, and I know a couple of young Africans who are feeling quite disappointed because they didn't make it too. Not too worry, today's stroll has good news for you.

The US Government’s diplomatic mission in Nigeria—and Africa in general—provides a lot of developmental opportunities via exchange programs for young people who are passionate about impacting positive change in their communities. Dehab Ghebreab, Public Affairs Officer, US Consulate Lagos, told me about the Mandela Washington Fellowship and other exchange programs by the US Government in Nigeria and Africa and how young people can take advantage of these opportunities.

Dehab and I also discussed #Africa4Her, International Women’s Day 2016, her journalism and political science background, and how she’s personally contributing to the SDGs in her corner of the world. You can download our conversation on #StrollPodcast, or read a summarized transcript below.

A Stroll with Amina J. Mohammed, Honourable Minister for Environment, Nigeria & Ex-Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Post-2015 Development Planning

“I see the SDGs as my 17 children, and every single one of them is special in a different way, but together they are amazing…” ~ Amina J Mohammed

Two decades after the struggle started for the cleanup of Ogoni land and other areas of the Niger Delta polluted by oil, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel—and that light is carried by Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Amina J Mohammed. 

Before her current role as Nigeria’s Environment Minister, Ms Mohammed played a key role in the post-2015 development process as she served as the Special Adviser to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on post-2015 development planning. Some other previous roles she has played include; Senior Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria on the Millennium Development Goals—serving three presidents over a period of six years; Founder and CEO of the Center for Development Policy Solutions, and Adjunct Professor for the Master’s in Development Practice program at Columbia University. 

On this episode of #TheStroll Amina, a proud mother of 6 who considers her children as her greatest achievement, shares more details about the cleanup process of the Niger Delta and President Buhari’s commitment to this project, an advice on how partnerships can make the SDGs work, as well as her personal success recipe. 

As always, you can listen or download this interview on #StrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below

A Stroll with Chude Jideonwo, Managing Partner, RED Media Africa (For World Radio Day 2016)

“My favorite SDG is Goal 8, decent work and economic growth, and my contribution to the SDGs is to use the media as a bridge between these goals and people who can help with achieving these goals”  
~ Chude Jideonwo 

Backdrop

World Radio Day is commemorated on 13th February every year, and it’s a day set aside to celebrate radio as a medium; to improve international cooperation between broadcasters; and to encourage major networks and community radio alike to promote access to information, freedom of expression and gender equality over the airwaves. The 2016 UNESCO theme for World Radio Day is “Radio in Times of Emergency and Disaster”. 

In this episode of #TheStroll, I speak with Lawyer, Journalist, and Media entrepreneur, Chude Jideonwo, on the rise of RED Media Africa, his book, "Are We the Turning Point Generation?", and in the sponsored segment , #MySDGs, he shares what his favorite SDG is and how he plans to contribute to its achievement by 2030.

Hope you enjoy our conversation. You can listen or download this interview on #StrollPodcast below or read a summarized transcript below:

Beyond COP21: My Stroll with Wanjira Mathai, Director, wPOWER Hub, Wangari Maathai Institute & Chair, the Green Belt Movement

“I am not living in my mother’s Shadow, I am basking in her light…” ~ Wanjira Mathai 

Backdrop

SDG 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, and 15 all have to do with preserving the environment and putting measures in place to combat Climate change. COP21 was one of the most anticipated events of 2015, and it ended with a high as, after much negotiation, an agreement was reached by member states with targets to drastically cut down on carbon and mitigate the effects of climate change. 

Wanjira Mathai, Director, wPOWER Hub, Wangari Maathai Institute & Chair, the Green Belt Movement and daughter of Late Prof Wangari Maathai (first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize) was one of the delegates at COP21 as Head of the Green Belt Movement delegation, and so we discussed amongst other things, her takeaways from that conference, her mother’s legacy, and her work to take renewable energy technologies to the grassroots in Africa. 

You can either listen to this interview on #TheStrollPodcast, or read a summarized transcript below.

#FollowtheMusicaLuca: My Stroll with Luca Berardi

Luca Berardi is 12. He has released 3 songs, one of which he performed at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in 2014. Luca is also founder of an organization called YARH which stands for, Young Animal Rescue Heroes through which he advocates for wildlife and environmental conservation.

Luca joins me from Nairobi, and we discussed among other things, his plans for music, the support he receives from his Mom and Dad (who are Kenyan and Italian respectively), and his plans for teenagehood as he clocks 13 next year.

You can listen or download this interview on #TheStrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below.

#SocialUN: My Stroll with Nancy Groves, United Nations Social Media Team Leader

The job of UN Social Media Team leader is as complex as you can imagine. From overseeing global social media campaigns to explaining complex diplomatic concepts and ideas in 140 characters all day-all year in all time zones, Nancy and the social media team go through a lot to keep us all engaged with the work of the United Nations around the world.

In course of this stroll, Nancy, who has worked for over a decade at the UN, takes us into the daily routine of the United Nations Social Media team and also shares some advice for young people hoping to work in the International Development sector.

You can either listen or download this interview on #TheStrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below.

What’s Up Africa 3: My Stroll with Ikenna Azuike, Creator and Presenter, What’s Up Africa Show

Ikenna Azuike is the creator and presenter of What's Up Africa (a show produced by RNW Media and BBC World News) and co-founder of Strawberry Earth. What’s Up Africa returns for its third season, and in this new series Ikenna travels across the region to uncover some of East Africa’s most compelling stories. He finds out what it really takes to be middle class on the continent and why Zambia may be turning its back on China for a new best friend…

What’s up Africa, which was recently nominated for an AIB - International Media Excellence Award in the category of specialist programme, has already received over 1.5 million views online over the last two and a half seasons and is now making its content even more appealing to its mostly young, digitally-savvy audience. By airing two 90-second episodes a week – on Wednesdays and Fridays - instead of one longer piece, the new series will be more clickable and shareable on social media. 

On this episode of #TheStroll, Ikenna and I discuss; What’s Up Africa 3, the current state of press freedom on the African continent, and he also shares some advice for young people on self-discovery.

You can listen to my full conversation with Ikenna on #TheStrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below:

World Television Day 2015: My Stroll with Pavlina Osta, Celebrity Entertainment Journalist

November 21st is Word Television Day, and the UN acknowledges that television is one of the most influential forms of media for communication and information dissemination. My guest today, Pavlina Osta, is one name you should watch out for because she will soon be hitting the big screen in your living room.

Pavlina started hosting her own radio show at 11. Currently, at 18, she holds two Guinness world records. First for conducting the highest number of interviews within 24 hours; she interviewed 347 people in one day. Secondly, for the longest marathon playing steel drum; she played for 26 hours non-stop with only 5-minute breaks every hour. 

Her show, Pavlina’s Kid’s Place, is on 17 radio stations in the US including iHeart radio, and she has already received 2 Gracies—an award given to outstanding women in the media industry. 

Pavlina told me about the secret behind her “super power”, as well as her dreams of getting her own television talk show in the nearest future. 

Listen to our conversation on #TheStrollPodcast or read the summarized transcript after the cut

WEF Africa at 25: My Stroll with Elsie Kanza, Senior Director & Head of Africa, World Economic Forum

This interview is so close to my heart because I finally got the chance to speak with one of the people who have made my 2015 a year to remember. Thanks to Prof Klaus Schwab’s undying support for the Global Shapers Community and Elsie’s constant push to increase the number of young people allowed to participate at World Economic Forum meetings, I was lucky to be selected as one of the 80 young Africans and Global shapers who got the opportunity to “rub shoulders” with continental and global leaders at the 25th Anniversary of the World Economic Forum on Africa. At the Africa Meeting we discussed Africa—then and now—taking a sneak peek into the future and highlighting what we have to do to get there from the present. At 22, it was my first time out of Nigeria, my second time ever to fly in an airplane, and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Let me tell you a bit about Elsie… Born to Tanzanian parents, she has completed, between 1997-2006, a BSc (Hons) in International Business Administration, United States International University - Africa; MSc in Finance, University of Strathclyde, UK; and MA in Development Economics, Center for Development Economics, Williams College, USA. She has served in various capacities with the Ministry of Finance and central Bank of Tanzania. 

From 2006-2011, she was Personal Assistant to Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, President of the United Republic of Tanzania, responsible for Economic Affairs. She joined the World Economic Forum in 2011 and in 2014 she became Senior Director and Head of Africa of the World Economic Forum. Her other accolades include, Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow (2008); Young Global Leader nominee, World Economic Forum (2011); Rising Talents nominee Program of the Women's Forum for the Economy and Society (2011).

Elsie and I discussed everything. From Africa to her journey so far; including her bucket list. You can listen or download our full conversation on #TheStrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below:

Shaping Africa’s Tourism: My Stroll with Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey

"Where is Africa rising to, when it is easier, 3 times cheaper, safer and less stressful to travel through Europe on a Nigerian passport? than it is to travel through Africa?", Nigerian Author and Satirist, Elnathan John, asked this recently on Twitter, and as we discuss the Tourism sector in Africa in course of this interview, this same issue was raised by my guest, Rosalin.

Rosalin Abigail Kyere-Nartey is a Global Shaper and Curator of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community in Kumasi, Ghana. She is also a Vital Voice Lead Fellow, Green Growth Tourism Advocate, Hospitality and Tourism consultant and social entrepreneur with extensive experience in tourism and hospitality management, program development and disaster management.

Rosalin is a seasoned and successful leader with a track record of producing, presenting and managing the implementation of innovative hospitality and tourism business solutions and services. She has over five years experience in the hospitality and the tourism sector.

In course of this stroll we discuss the potential of tourism to transform the African continent as well as some work from the Kumasi Hub in Ghana.

You can either listen to this interview on The Stroll Podcast, or read the summarized transcript below

#UN70: My Stroll with Elyx, United Nations Digital Ambassador

Elyx is the United Nations’ first digital ambassador, and its job description is, One, to smile; two, to carry the message of the UN around the world; and three, to smile again (Lol)

As we celebrate United Nations Day, today October 24th, I take a stroll with the brain behind this wonderful project, Elyx, to discuss animation as a force for good and Elyx’ journey around the world carrying out his duty as digital ambassador.

Watch out! Elyx might be visiting your city soon!!! Here’s my stroll with Yak and Elyx.

Global Dignity Day 2015: My Stroll with His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway

Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, is the heir apparent to the Throne of Norway. In 2003 he was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with a particular focus on the UN Millennium Development Goals and the effort to cut global poverty in half by 2015. As Goodwill Ambassador he travelled to Haiti, Nepal, Tanzania, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Guatemala, Burundi, Mongolia and Botswana.

A former member of the World Economic Forum’s group, Young Global Leaders (YGL), Crown Prince Haakon in 2006 alongside two other YGLs, Pekka Himanen and John Hope Bryant, founded the Global Dignity initiative, an independent, non-political organization that promotes the universal right of every human being to lead a dignified life.

In course of this stroll we looked back at the MDGs and projected into the future with the SDGs juxtaposing them with the need for each and every one of us to live dignified lives as we all work towards the betterment of this place we call home, earth.

You can click here to listen or download our full conversation on #TheStrollPodcast or read a summarized transcript below:

#WorldsLargestLesson: My Stroll with Sir Ken Robinson

I have been trying to interview Sir Ken Robinson for the past 3 years, and I wouldn’t have been worried if I had to wait a lifetime to eventually do a stroll with him because he’s just incredible. And many thanks to the guys at Project Everyone for making this happen. 

Just in case you’re from a rock somewhere in Mars, and you’re asking who’s this Ken Robinson anyway (because only someone from Mars will ask that, Lol).Well, Sir Ken Robinson is an internationally recognized leader in the development of creativity, innovation and human resources in education and in business. The videos of his famous 2006 and 2010 talks to the prestigious TED Conference have been viewed more than 25 million times and seen by an estimated 250 million people in over 150 countries. His 2006 talk is the most viewed in TED’s history.

Ken was diagnosed with polio at age 4, but he defied all odds to find his own element which has distinguished him in his field and made him internationally relevant and highly sought after. He works with governments and educations systems in Europe, Asia and the USA; with international agencies, Fortune 500 companies and some of the world’s leading cultural organizations.

In course of this stroll, we discuss how he wrote the script for the World’s Largest Lesson which will teach kids and teens all over the world about the SDGs and the part they can play, as well as his recent book “Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution that's Transforming Education"

What more can I say? Enjoy this inciting conversation with Ken. You can either choose to download it on the stroll podcast or read the summarized transcript below.

#UN70: My Stroll with Noella Richard, UNDP Youth Policy Specialist and Co-chair of the UN Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development

Noëlla Richard leads UNDP’s global work on Youth in the Bureau for Policy and Programme Support in New York, in charge of the coordination of UNDP’s work on Youth, and the co-chair of the United Nations Inter-Agency Network on Youth Development for 2015-2016.

She previously served in UNDP’s Democratic Governance Group as Special Assistant to the Director, and as Democratic Governance Specialist, co-leading UNDP’s Global initiative on Gender Equality in Public Administration.

Prior to UNDP Headquarters, Ms. Richard worked for the Permanent Mission of France to the United Nations, UNESCO, the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria, the French Ministry of Finance, the Paris Economic Council for Sustainable Development and UNDP Country Office in Morocco.

Ms. Richard was educated in France, Morocco, Spain and Argentina. She graduated from the Institut d’Études Politiques ‘Sciences Po’ in Paris and holds a second Master’s degree in Development, International Cooperation and Humanitarian Action from Sorbonne University.

Noella joins me from New York, and we discussed the 70th session of the UN General Assembly, the #SDGs, and much more. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

You can either chose to listen or download this interview on #TheStrollPodcast, or read transcript below

#YALI2015: My Stroll with Nkem Azinge

“Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves” ~ James Matthew Barrie

I feel so much peace after completing this stroll because, I didn’t want to break the “twin code”—if there’s anything like that—by strolling with Nkechi Azinge but not strolling with her twin sister, Nkem. Besides that, Nkem’s story just like Nkechi’s, is very inspiring and it’s just fascinating to see how both of them, with two different personalities, complement each other so well, and are soaring at the very peak; inspiring other young Africans to reach for their potential and shine.

Nkem is a 2015 Mandela Washington fellow, and being the major inspiration behind the establishment of the Sickle Cell Aid Foundation (SCAF), she has worked with her sister, family and friends to raise the awareness of sickle cell in Nigeria. 

In course of this stroll we discuss how she was able to conquer sickle cell, her experience at the 2015 Mandela-Washington Fellowship, the strides of SCAF, and much more. You can either choose to read this summarized transcript, or download the full interview on The Stroll Podcast.