By Kolawole Emmanuel Abe
Over the course of the year, we have showcased young Nigerians, under the age of 30, who have made significant changes in different aspects of Nigeria. Today, we will feature Miss Blessing Udechukwu Obila.
Blessing Obila is currently the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Lila Zigenare. Lila Zigenrare is an organization that has touched the lives of Nigerians who would otherwise have not had the opportunity. She is a graduate of Public Administration from Madonna University and was the first runner up for the Miss Nigeria competition in 2016. Miss Obila is currently away from Nigeria, attending a flight training school and pursuing a childhood dream of hers.
Blessing Obila is the daughter of Her Excellency, Chief Mrs Patricia Obila, the deputy governor of Ebonyi state. As such, she is from a political dynasty but has shied away from the political limelight, quietly pursuing her passion for empowering ladies and girls in Nigeria. Of course, she has used her politically savvy genes to understand the political landscape of Nigeria in order to excel in the realm of gender equality, an area that is still very controversial in Nigeria and a sensitive topic that evokes raw emotions amongst some aspects of the society.
Our country, Nigeria, is a country that after over six decades of Independence has not produced a single female governor. Despite indices like these, Miss Obila has been more tactful rather than brash in her advocacy. She is not leveling the playing field but instead she is lifting women and girls up to the same level. Recently, the first cohort of female pilot trainees left Nigeria for flight training schools abroad. To show the effectiveness of the programmes, it included a 19-year-old from Odo Ayedun, a rural community of less than 500 people in Ekiti state, who applied when Lila Zigenare came to her village.
Blessing Obila, through her nongovernmental organization, has created and funded empowerment programmes across Nigeria to assist women and young girls pursue the career goals. Lila Zigenare’s impact was seen during the COVID shutdown when several women were able to contribute financially and keep the family afloat. This realization changed a lot of mindsets and allowed many communities to welcome Miss Obila and Lila Zigenare into their homes.
For her work in improving the development and economic growth through the empowerment of micro, small and medium enterprises, MSMEs, across Nigeria, Miss Obila was selected for the Entreprenurial Development Award, earlier in June. She has also been the recipient of other awards to state governments.