BRIEF HISTORY
Jela’s Development Initiatives (JDI) was founded in May 2019 by Angela Omeiza, as an organisation catering for individual wholeness through four focal areas: voluntary blood donation, access to clean water, mental health and youth empowerment through volunteering. Having gone through the Mandela Washington Fellowship (2019), one of Angela’s goals was to use JDI as a platform for promoting the principle of servant leadership. In partial fulfilment of her Mandela pledge to raise audacious servant leaders in Nigeria, JDI received her first set volunteers in September 2019 to serve as the primary workforce. Each volunteer was required to select an initiative that resonated with them the most. In November, the J Blood Match artificial intelligence was launched nationally and the first Unburden Group Therapy Session was held, with heavy involvement of the volunteers. By 2020, it was time to stretch JDI’s capacity and this led to the employment of key personnel in the administrative arm to support project execution. Ever since, the team has been on a continuous journey of expansion and has delved into diverse projects, reaching a unique mix of project beneficiaries.
WORD FROM OUR FOUNDER/CEO
Angela Omeiza
If anyone had ever told I would be founding a non-profit, I would probably say, “Nah, I don’t think so.”
Yet, here I am.
The truth is that I have always believed whatever is placed in my hands must be done right and so, when Russell Brooks, former Spokesperson U.S Embassy, Nigeria said to me, “Angela, you should have this vision as a registered entity to give it legitimacy and structure”, I gave it some more thought.
I wanted to promote wholeness and a full life for every Nigerian through 4 main focal areas- blood donation because there is life in blood; access to clean water because water is life; mental health because a sound mind leads to a fuller life and youth empowerment through volunteering because the youth are the life of any nation.
In thinking through all of these and consulting with my mentors, close friends and associates, Jela’s Development Initiatives was birthed.
Now, when I look at the team and the vision that we hold dear, I am humbled at the lessons I am learning and opportunities before us but excited for the future!
– Angela Omeiza
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Our Board of Trustees are Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in public and private sectors of the economy. They are committed to social justice and empowering the whole person.
Shola Adesoye
Chairman
Shola Adesoye is the Serving Overseer of The Lighthouse Ministries International, a social crusader, an author, television and radio host. He is a serial entrepreneur with interests in different sectors. Shola Adesoye has sat on the board of many companies and non-profits, including The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLMN). He is an executive director in Adesoye Holdings Ltd and Supasteel Ltd, a service and fabrication company servicing the Oil and Gas sector of Nigeria.
Angela Omeiza
Secretary
Angela Omeiza Ochu-Baiye is a solicitor turned media consultant and award-winning social impact advocate. In 2015, she delved into the media space as a talk show host and producer at WE FM 106.3, holding down the fort on her flagship shows, Jela’s Clinic and The Conversation. A Mandela Washington Fellow, she is also the CEO/Founder of Inspired by Jela, a media consultancy agency. She holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Law from the University of Westminster and Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom. Her love for the Black Panther movie led her to raise funds and take 200 underserved kids to watch it in a cinema, in 2018. She is an honourary member of the Rotary Club, Abuja Municipal.
Grace Salawu
Board Member
Grace Omolola Itopa Salawu is a business woman with businesses ranging from real estate to farming and retired banker with Union Bank, where she worked for over 20 years. She is an alumna of Ambrose Alli University, where she gained a degree in Business Administration. Grace enjoys travelling, cooking, exploring and using her life experiences to help others wherever she goes. She actively tries to give back to the community through her businesses. ‘
Hauwa Yaro-Biki
Board Member
Hauwa Yaro-Biki is an International Development Practitioner with a foundation in Public and International Law. She has a wealth of experience working with development partners in the areas of Project management, Organizational Development, Gender and social inclusion, Tax justice, Education and Humanitarian assistance. She is passionate about Community building and Gender Equality.
Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen
Board Member
Dr Omosigho Izedonmwen is a public health physician with over 22 years of medical experience and practice. He is currently the Executive Secretary of Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency. Prior to that, he was the Head of Operations at the National Blood Service Commission (formerly National Blood Transfusion Service), a position he has held for close to 10 years. He is passionate about citizens’ development through timely community mobilization, sensitization and action.
MEET THE TEAM
Rita Akhabue
Programmes Officer
Ibiene David-West
Finance Assistant
Chioma Ossy
Finance & Partnership Intern
Oluchi Ihezie
Programmes Assistant
Umoru Ogwu
Programmes Assistant
Osayuki Anita Omogun
J Blood Match Product Assistant