Siblings: into Taraba state!

This month, we visit Taraba state, home to the renowned Mambilla plateau in Gashaka Local Government, celebrated for its captivating topography and lush vegetation. Mambilla stands as arguably one of the coldest regions in Nigeria.

Taraba state also houses the illustrious Kwararafa kingdom, headquartered in Wukari local government. Notably, I obtained my first degree in Wukari, within a mere 20-minute drive from the Aku-uka's palace.

Meet my February guests, the Naphtali siblings: Festus and Naomi.

Naomi (L); Festus (R)

Festus, a Physics graduate from the Federal University Wukari, sees teaching as an art fostering continuous learning and critical thinking. His expertise lies in student-tutor negotiations and systematic problem-solving.

In our conversation, Festus and I will talk into his student and teacher experiences, dissecting the complexities of balancing roles in academic systems. He'll also share his classroom-to-real-life journey, and insights from his time in the ancient city of Wukari.

Naomi, a fourth-year biochemistry student, finds joy in 'loving God and impacting lives.' What does 'impacting lives' mean? Naomi is the Chief Organizer of the Girls Outreach Program 2024, a humanitarian venture that aims to reach 20 schools within and beyond Taraba State, addressing challenges faced by young girls.

Naomi also shares highlights from the outreach so far, recounting challenges she has surmounted, and the journey so. As a student, I ask Naomi, what does chairing a nonprofit and combining the hectics of studies feel like? Has she ever had to make a choice between the two? Does her academic background play a part in her choice of starting her nonprofit?

Join me on February 25th as we explore Taraba state with the compelling stories of these siblings.