Championed by peace builders, leaders and mentors, YGN is a growing movement of young people. Looking around us we witnessed the adversities faced by youth nationwide; how they are growing up in an environment of numerous challenges.

For some this provides opportunities to overcome, for others, a struggle for survival.

Youth Gender Network believes that providing youth with opportunities, life skills, and resources fosters not only personal growth but leads to social change.

We believe that youth development and empowerment is not merely an option but an obligation in today’s world.

The youth have an emerging talent, energy, passion, curiosity, and strength that is unparalleled. They are resourceful and resilient even under the most challenging of conditions. However, many youth are unemployed, suffer from poor health and lack sufficient support and attention to obtain their basic needs. Today’s youth face challenges such as HIV/AIDS, gender disparity and poverty, to name a few.

About The Youth Gender Network

Youth & Gender network is a non-ethnic, non-profit, and non-governmental organization. The vision started as a passion to drive youths to discover their potentials, pursue worthy courses, and adopt positive values. The organization was officially registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission Abuja in June 2004.

Imagine a network of individuals and organizations working together for positive youth development nation wide. Such a network exists and it lies at the heart of YGN's mission. Our partner organizations work at the local and national level to strengthen and expand the reach of effective programs serving young people, while maximizing the impact of the youth sector as a whole.

Advisory Board

  • PRINCE (Dr.) BISI OLATILO

    PRINCE (Dr.) BISI OLATILO is the Chairman/Chief Executive of BISCON communications, Executive producer of BISI OLATILO SHOW. He holds a B.SC Degree in Mass Communication from the Lagos State University, Lagos. He is happily married with 5 lovely children. He Started with the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State in the 1970s before joining Voice of Nigeria (VON), the external services of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN). He later moved to Radio Nigeria where he worked for 22years.

    His hard work in radio broadcasting was rewarded over and over with numerous awards, the climax being the recipient of the prestigious Nigerian Media Merit Award-Broadcaster of the year 1993 and 1994 consecutively. He is also an accomplished Master of Ceremonies (MC) and he has compeered major events including the Formal Launch of MAMSER (Alongside seasoned MC extraordinaire – Ikenna Ndaguba) and at the reception held in honor of the former South African President Dr. Nelson Mandela and wife in Lagos, 1990. He is a distinguished advisory board member of Youth and Gender Network, a non-governmental organization.

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  • EUCHARIA ANUNOBI

    EUCHARIA ANUNOBI is a renowned Nigerian actress (Nollywood star). She holds a Bachelor of Arts (B. A) degree in English Language, from the University Of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), as well as a Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from the Lagos State University (LASU). This multi-talented woman is an Actress, Compere/MC, TV Presenter/Host, Motivational Speaker, Model ((Print and Run-way), Event planning/Management professional, Interior Decorator, Motivational Speaker, Writer, Evangelist and Marriage Counsellor. A multiple award winning actress, she is a distinguished member of the Youth & Gender Network Advisory Board, a non-governmental Organization.

  • AZUH ARINZE

    Azuh Arinze was born on March 24, 1972. A native of Azia in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, he was educated at the famous Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu and Lagos State University, LASU, where he read Mass Communication and Public Administration respectively. He is the MD/CEO of Honours Communications Limited, publishers of YES International! magazine. Married to Nkolika and blessed with two adorable children: Nmesomachukwu and Nekenechukwu, he was the editor of Encomium Weekly until March 24, 2011. He equally edited Reel Stars, another publication from the stable of Encomiums Ventures Limited. Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State decorated him as one of the State’s ENVIRONMENTAL AMBASSADORS in 2010. A year earlier, Mr. Osita Chidoka, the Federal Road Safety Corps CEO and Corps Marshal, also honoured him as a CELEBRITY SPECIAL MARSHAL.

    A voracious reader and multiple award – winning journalist, singing and spending quality time in the presence of the Creator gives enormous joy to the one-time AFRICA’S BEST ENTERTAINMENT WRITER who became an editor at 26. Working assiduously on his second book, the first one was – Tested and Trusted Success Secrets of the Rich and Famous.

    Azuh belongs to some professional bodies. Among them – Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), League of Soft sell Publishers (LSP) and AES Excellence Club. He is also a member of Rotary International as well as a Knight of the Catholic Church (Order of Saint Mulumba).

    He is also an advisory board member of Youth and Gender Network, a non-governmental organization.

  • MRS. NWADIUTO IHEAKANWA

    MRS. NWADIUTO IHEAKANWA is the group managing director of champion newspaper group. She is also the editor-in-chief of this mass circulating national newspaper that enjoys wide readership across the length and breadth of Igboland. Unknown to many, this pretty lady is the first daughter of the publisher of the newspaper, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu (Ofr, Ksc).

    Although she has been a director of champion newspapers for years, she effectively took over as MD late last year when the board announced her as successor to Ugo Onuoha, who headed the company.

    Since she took over, she has restructured the 24-year-old media company that prints from 2 locations –Lagos and Owerri. She has brought to bear on the company, her wealth of experience garnered from her long sojourn in the us and her training at the university of detroit, the central Michigan University and the Lagos business school.

    And this mother of 6 who has a strong marketing background has performed so well and repackaged the paper that has been the largest circulating newspaper in the east for years.

    She has the passion to positively impact society especially in the area of youth mentoring. She is a member of the advisory Board of Youth and Gender Network (Non-governmental Organization).

  • LOLA FOLABI-ISAACS

    MS. LOLA FOLABI – ISAACS is the Managing Director of Beulah Land Travel Agency, she is a seasoned professional and graduate of University of Lagos in B.Sc Education/Biology. She qualified in the Aviation Advanced Ticketing Course in 1992 and enjoys long-standing business rapport with all IATA Airlines, Ms Folabi-Isaacs is a hard working, diligent, and amiable woman who has successfully worked as General Manager of Consolidated Travel Bureau and Toplink Travel Limited from 1991-1996.

    She is also an advisory board member of Youth and Gender Network, a non- governmental organization.

  • DR. GLORIA CHUMA - IBE

    Dr. (Mrs.) GLORIA CHUMA IBE holds a PhD in Bibliotherapy, from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is the Director of Exhibitions and Museum at CBAAC(Center for Black & African Arts & Civilization) Nigeria. Happily married with 4 kids, she has organized several conferences on youth empowerment. She is on the Advisory board of Youth and gender network (YGN), a non-governmental organization. .

  • MRS CORDELIA IFEOMA UMOLU

    MRS. CORDELIA IFEOMA UMOLU is a Master’s degree holder from the University of Lagos, and a one-time Lecturer in Kano State Polytechnic, Kano. She was a senior manager in Nigeria Social Insurance Trust fund, until she retired. Married with five brilliant kids, she is a woman committed to youth and women empowerment. She is on the advisory board of Youth and Gender Network (YGN), non – governmental organization.

  • MRS JOY NKECHI OGBONNAYA

    MRS JOY NKECHI OGBONNAYA is the Founder of Golden Kiddies Foundation School. She holds an A’ Level Diploma in Secretarial Studies and a Diploma in Business Administration from Barry College of Further Education in Cardiff, South Glamorgan, United Kingdom. She also holds a B.Sc in Geography and Regional planning from Lagos State University (LASU. She is a member of the Nigerian Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPMN).

    She has gathered wealth of experience from working with many reputable companies in Nigeria, such as: National Electric Power supply (NEPA) – Administrative Clerk, Blackmoor Nigeria Limited (Assistant Administrative Manager), Acorn Petroleum Nigeria Onikan, Lagos –Private Secretary, Associated Breweries, Iponri – Administrative Manager, Bullion Trust and Securities as Head of Administration.

    In the course of her work, she attended innumerable supervisory and management courses which sharpened her skills and equipped her with entrepreneurship knowledge.

    She is married to her friend, brother and love Captain Chima Ogbonnaya. She has passion for Knowledge transfer, youth training and self development. She is a member of the Advisory Board of Youth and gender Network, a non- governmental organization.

  • MRS KHADIJAH HABU AHMED

    MRS KHADIJAH HABU AHMED is the president / CEO of Khafam Nigeria Limited. She is also the president/CEO of Safah Global Mall Limited Abuja. A Beautiful woman of Northern Nigeria extraction, she is a mother of four and a grandmother who loves to touch lives in a positive way, she is a member of the advisory board of Youth and Gender Network, a non-governmental organization.

  • MRS AMAKA MADUNEME

    MRS AMAKA MADUNEME is the managing Director of Network Technologies Lagos and also a pastor at the Fountain of Life Church, Ilupeju. She has a BSC. in Maths & Statistics from the University of Calabar. A woman with zeal for Youths, Singles and Women, she is happily married with three lovely kids. She is on the advisory board of Youth and Gender Network (YGN), a non-governmental organization.

  • MRS AROH MARY NKECHI

    Mrs Mary Nkechi Aroh is the Founder/Proprietress of Salt Hill Montessori School. She obtained TCII (Teachers Grade Two) from Imaguero College Benin City and National Certificate in Education(NCE) from College of Education Agbor in Delta State. She also bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education BA(ed) from University of Port-Harcourt, Rivers State.

    Not resting on her oars, she travelled to the United Kingdom where she studied other courses in child education, Guidance and Counseling, Care-support, Food Hygiene and Education of children with special needs. She is happily married with two boys and one girl. A woman of virtue, high moral standard and integrity, she has a passion to instill discipline, moral etiquette and values to the younger generation. She is a member of the advisory board of Youth and Gender Network, a non-governmental organization.

YGN Officials



  • REV. (MRS.) ANULI AUSBETH-AJAGU - Executive Director

    PASTOR (MRS.) ABIGAIL IRUOMACHUKWU - Director of Service

    MRS LARA IMOOWO - Deputy Director

    MR. ABAYOMI OLUSOLA AWELEWA - Senior Programmes Officer (P.R)

    MISS NGOZI CHRISTIANA UCHE - Media Relations Officer

    MISS YETUNDE LAWAL - Senior Programmes Officer (Editorial)

    MISS VIVIAN IJEOMA NJOKU - Programmes Officer (Events)

    MISS NNEDINMA AKWIWU - Programmes Officer (Protocol)

    MISS ANGELA ANYANWU - Finance Officer

    MISS GOODNESS UHEGWU - P.A to the Executive Director

    MISS VICTORIA ODEYALE - Assistant Projects Officer

    MISS PAMELLA IGBOECHE - Projects Officer

    MISS CHIKA ACHUGONYE - General Services Officer

    MR CHINEDU ODAH - General Services Officer