Obianuju Ekeocha // , also known as Uju (born 1979), is a Nigerian biomedical scientist based in the United Kingdom.[2] She is the founder and president of the activist organisation Culture of Life Africa.[3][4]
Obianuju Ekeocha | |
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![]() Ekeocha in 2023 | |
Born | 1979 (age 44–45) Owerri, Nigeria |
Education | Hematology Biomedical science |
Alma mater | |
Occupation(s) | Author Scientist |
Notable work | Open Letter to Melinda Gates[1] |
Background
editThe Nigerian scholar works and lives in the United Kingdom[2] and specialises in hematology. In 2016, she was employed at a hospital in the UK. She has been a Catholic since her early days when she was raised in Nigeria.[5]
Education
editObianuju had her Secondary school education at the Federal Government Girls' College, Owerri, before proceeding to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she obtained a bachelor's degree in microbiology. She then moved to the United Kingdom where she obtained a master's degree in biomedical science from the University of East London.[2]
Activism
editObianuju gained international recognition for her love for African culture, life and values. In 2012, she wrote a viral open letter (in protest) to Melinda Gates in response to the Gates Foundation's pledge to raise $4.6 billion to fund contraception in developing countries arguing that women in Africa could use improved health care and education as opposed to contraception and abortion forced upon them.[1] Obianuju has been involved in social and political discussions relating the dignity of life within the African culture. In August 2015, she promoted pragmatism at an anti-abortion event of the Ghana Catholic Bishops Conference in the Ghanaian capital Accra.[6] Talking to the Providence College community in the spring of 2018, she criticised a perceived neocolonialism in support of sexual and reproductive health and rights.[7] Being an anti-abortion speaker, she has performed advisory role for legislators and policy makers across Africa, Europe and North America.[8] Obianuju has appeared as a guest speaker at the White House, the US State Department, the European Parliament amongst other parliaments, e.g. in Africa. Obianuju has also featured on BBC television and Radio,[3] AveMaria Radio and Sacred Heart Radio discussing the African life and culture.[2]
Furthermore, Obianuju is the author of the book Target Africa: Ideological Neocolonialism of the Twenty-First Century.[9]
References
edit- ^ a b Kilgus, Laura (2019-10-24). "Pro-life speaker, scientist gives a voice to Africans". Rhode Island Catholic. Providence. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ a b c d "Obianuju Ekeocha". Catholic Answers. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ a b "Obianuju Ekeocha". Acton University. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ "Obianuju Ekeocha: Founder & President of Culture of Life Africa". Culture of Life Africa. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- ^ Feingold, Sophia (April 27, 2016). "Pro-Life in Africa: 'What We Hold in Common Is This Value for Family'. Obianuju Ekeocha, founder and president of Culture of Life Africa, shares her continent's long-held values". National Catholic Register. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
- ^ Burger, John (11 August 2015). "Pro-Life Event in Ghana's Capital Spills Out onto the Streets of Accra". Aleteia. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, was one of several speakers at the conference, which was held in Accra's Holy Spirit Cathedral. Ekeocha urged participants to work towards ejecting international pro-choice agencies from Ghana, where they are promoting condom use and abortion in some hospitals, schools and villages and seeking to normalize homosexual relations.
- ^ Huzyk, Alexandra, News Staff (April 19, 2018). "Social and Political Activist Obianuju Ekeocha Visits PC". The Cowl. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Truth. Love. Together". Colson Center Virtual Events. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
- ^ "Obianuju Ekeocha and the Feminine Genius". Catholic Diocese of Spokane. Retrieved 2020-11-19.
External links
edit′Obianuju Ekeocha: Founder & President of Culture of Life Africa′ on cultureoflifeafrica.com