Scholarship / "Networking" An intellectual adventure for creativity- Chevening Scholarship [3]

Chevening is looking for individuals with strong networking skills, who will engage with the Chevening community and influence and lead others in their chosen profession. Explain how you meet this requirement, using clear examples of your networking skills, and outline how you hope to use these skills in the future. (minimum word count: 100 words, maximum word count: 500 words)

I am motivated by the benefit of networking

Stephen R. Covey in his book "THE 7 HABITS OF HIGHLY EFFECTIVE PEOPLE" describes networking in pages 264-265 as a "principle of synergistic communication that creates an intellectual adventure for new discoveries". I appreciate one significant synergistic communication I developed as an intern at the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), through which I was able to kick-start my professional career and develop a regular network of professionals and individual contacts.

It all started in May 2015 when I was posted to the central laboratory at NAFDAC. I established a network with the laboratory analysts and my colleagues and through synergistic rapport; I realized that we share a common vision and initiative to improve the quality of Nigerian produce. Hence I pursued a lunch meeting with the head of analyst to discuss the possibilities of organizing a forum that will harness quality control professionals with aspirants. Auspiciously, he concord and related it with other laboratory analysts and external professionals who then gave their consent.

The forum was held in Lagos on the 15th of April, 2015 and the theme of the forum was "Amalgamation of quality and safety". The meeting lasted for three hours whereafter everyone became very open to each other's ideas which led to a new common vision. I spent some time synergizing and sharing contacts with professionals and by the end of that day, a group-chat was created on telegram wherein we currently synergize.

My synergistic relationship with the network I developed at NAFDAC is benefiting me at 234 Foods Nigeria Ltd. where my primary responsibility as a quality analyst is to oversee and ensure that the quality of yam fries produce complies with the international set standard. When I assumed the role, my first task was to provide solution to the browning of the yam fries. I was confident to handle the task because it reminded me a comparable situation my team and I experienced at NAFDAC. Immediately, I related the challenge to the members of the network wherein we worked collectively to provide a sustainable solution. I applied the solution and fortunately, the problem was solved.

I am motivated by the benefit of networking, and if awarded the Chevening scholarship, my idea is to develop a network of Chevening scholars, alumni, community leaders, lecturers, and professionals whilst participating in chevening community project. Similarly, as an associate member of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) in the UK, I will attend and participate in conferences where I can synergize and share contacts with professional chemist. Thereby, building a rich-in-knowledge and scholarly network that I need in order to accomplish my project upon return to Nigeria. My project is to establish a communal hub of chemist with focus on integrating Nigerian chemistry scholars and researchers, my existing network, and the network I intend to develop in the UK. The aim of the communal will be to educate, address, and provide environmental and health safety facilities and solutions in rural areas of Nigeria.

Scholarship / Problem with water resources in Nigeria. Home Country Benefit Commonwealth [3]

Home Country Benefit Commonwealth

I recognize Nigeria's need for quality water as a quest to abate the epidemic associated with consumption of contaminated water. In 2015, there was an increased rate of mortality in the rural areas of the south-eastern part of Nigeria. This was caused by the consumption of contaminated water from the stream water sources.

The 2015 Nigerian government program in the water sector focused on the area of water resources development in dam construction, urban water supply, irrigation and power generation, while proper management, routine water treatment, and conservation of the water resources were not given adequate attention which resulted in underutilization of the facilities, and unavailability of safe drinking water. In order to overcome this deficit, the present Nigerian government through the National Council for Water Resources, NCWR 2017 created water policies and initiatives to effectively maintain and control water resources, and promote the private sector participation in water services with the vision of optimising the use of Nigerian water resources at all times. However, water resources maintenance and management will only be successful if there is the skilled manpower intelligence, motivated and highly-trained personnel with the technicality to effectively treat water, and manage the resources.

Driven by my strong self-belief and zeal to improve the livelihood of the Nigerian society through good health and improved science, I am keen to act as the catalyst to provide the solution related to inadequate water resources management. My study plan is to research the use of ozonation in the removal of micro-parasitic organism commonly found in stream water sources. This study plan is imperative to the goal of the NCWR in optimizing the use of stream water resources in providing clean water in rural areas.

I am confident that through the commonwealth shared scholarship to study Water and Environmental Management (MSc) at the University of xyxyxy, I will acquire competency in environmental and water management system and policies, and water treatment processes and design.

On return to Nigeria in 2019 after the successful completion of my program, I will use my acquired skills to collaborate and support the NCWR to implement the use ozonation in treating stream water sources in rural areas, assist the council in maintaining and rehabilitation of rural water infrastructure, and creating sustainable environmental management policies. The NCWR has a vision to accomplish its goal by 2021, hence, in my contributions, I hope to have developed a sustainable method for treating stream water resources for rural inhabitants, developed a logical and comprehensive policy framework that integrates sound principles of water management and environmental sustainability, and promote the importance of the private sector participation in the provision of rural water supply and sanitation services on community levels. With the increased access of the rural populace to safe drinking water and the decrease in health challenges and rate of mortality which stem from consuming safe drinking water in the south-eastern rural areas, the impact of my study and work can be measured