Ikere, Ekiti State: CLP provided civic training to local youth, empowering them to engage with local government and advocate for community needs. This initiative has led to increased youth participation in governance and community development
Over 1,500 out-of-school youth were reached through grassroots football clubs. These clubs combined life skills training, health education, and HIV/AIDS awareness, cultivating a sense of responsibility and leadership among the youth
CLP developed digital literacy programs aimed at youth, providing training on basic computer skills, internet navigation, and digital tools. These programs help bridge the digital divide and open up new opportunities for education and entrepreneurship
CLP empowered youth leaders in Osun State with training on civic responsibilities, budgeting, and community engagement. This led to youth proactively holding local government accountable and initiating community development projects
Kingsley Okonkwo (Kcee) was supported by CLP to use music as a medium for HIV/AIDS awareness. CLP provided training and facilitated his debut demo, launching his career while reinforcing the role of youth in advocacy.
CLP mobilized youth for civic education, particularly through the ReclaimNaija platform, which enabled them to monitor and report electoral issues. This involvement has been instrumental in promoting transparency and civic responsibility among young voters
CLP facilitated youth involvement in advocating for inclusive voting rights for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), promoting a more accessible electoral process and greater civic participation
CLP utilized Theatre for Development as an engaging method to educate youth on critical issues like HIV/AIDS and civic responsibilities. Through drama, songs, and storytelling, TFD provided a platform for youth to express themselves creatively while learning about important social topics. This approach made complex issues more accessible and fostered deeper community engagement
My name is Kingsley Okonkwo, also known as KCEE, a prominent Afrobeat musician in Nigeria. About 24 years ago, I joined the Community Life Project (CLP), a non-governmental organization dedicated to creating awareness about HIV/AIDS among Nigerian youth.
Through CLP, I learned the importance of abstinence, good morals, and responsible living. As a volunteer, I joined the drama group and began to develop my music career. It was during this time that I discovered my passion for music and started harnessing my talent. Recognizing my potential, CLP supported me in taking my music to the next level.
I wrote and performed songs focused on the HIV/AIDS campaign, traveling to various parts of the country to share my message through music. This experience not only boosted my confidence but also helped my parents see music as a serious career path rather than just a hobby.
CLP played a pivotal role in my journey by providing me with N10,000 to record my first demo in a studio—the first financial support I ever received for my music. This opportunity was a turning point in my career, ultimately leading my group and me to win the maiden edition of the STAR QUEST Music Talent Show.
I am eternally grateful to CLP for giving me the foundation that propelled me to the international stage. Seeing other CLP alumni excel in their respective fields reminds me of the profound impact this organization has had on our lives.
I celebrate CLP now and always.
Kingsley Okonkwo (KCEE)
Musician
My first job after secondary school was at a local dry-cleaning shop. As a teenager, I mustered the courage to show up every day, surrounded by heaps of clothes that became my silent companions. Having lost my father, and with my mother struggling to raise me and my siblings, life was already tough. A few years later, my mother fell ill and passed away, shattering my world. Her loss changed my entire outlook on life, leaving me sad, pained, and angry at the world.
Living in Isolo with my siblings while holding on to dreams of a better life was daunting. The streets were filled with negative influences, making survival a daily challenge. Eventually, I gained admission into university, but I could barely feed myself, let alone pay school fees.
One day, I met a woman who introduced my siblings and me to an organization that cared for people like us. At the time, I had no idea that this humble woman was the Executive Director of Community Life Project (CLP). CLP became a beacon of hope during my years of struggle and hardship.
Today, I am a multiple award-winning Nigerian actor and entertainer, celebrated on the biggest platforms across Africa. If you google the name "SAMBASA NZERIBE," you will see how far I have come. My story cannot be told without mentioning Community Life Project. CLP was there for me when I needed it most. It gave me hope, supported my siblings, and taught me not to give up on the world.
As CLP celebrates its 30th Anniversary, I extend my heartfelt gratitude for the countless lives it has touched. CLP has made humanity better, and I am a living testament to its impact. Cheers to CLP for all it has done and continues to do. May its legacy of care and transformation endure for generations.
CHIEDOZIE 'SAMBASA' NZERIBE
Award-Winning Nigerian Actor and Entertainer
I joined the Community Life Project (CLP) a few months before the 2011 elections and was trained as a Data Centre Operator for ReclaimNaija. The platform was established to promote electoral transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in Nigeria.
At the Centre, we processed information on electoral incidents reported by citizens, particularly those from grassroots communities, for onward transmission to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A significant portion of this information was submitted by grassroots citizens and CLP partners from every state in Nigeria.
CLP had trained individuals in the ReclaimNaija network across the country to report any mago mago or wuru wuru (fraud) they observed or experienced during voter registration or on election days.
Citizens sent thousands of messages reporting election irregularities via SMS or phone calls in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin English. We also made calls to clarify and validate the incident reports we received.
My role involved reacting to, understanding, and titling each SMS message before forwarding it to a team for approval, further vetting, and eventual transmission to INEC. During the 2011 elections, INEC relied heavily on our reports because they were authentic.
By the 2015 and 2019 general elections, I was promoted to the Message Approval Team, where I verified and approved election incident reports processed by Platform Moderators. As a Programme Assistant, I became involved in planning and implementing programs. This role allowed me to learn report writing, project fundraising, community organizing, and building and maintaining long-term community partnerships.
My experience at CLP and ReclaimNaija has broadened my knowledge of information processing and documentation. It has also helped me develop skills in relationship management and counseling, as many of our staff trainings included lessons on self-awareness, family life, project implementation, and environmental care.
Community Life Project empowers everyone who crosses its path. I feel blessed to have been part of the CLP family and pray for many more impactful years for the organization.
MRS. JANET ADEMOLA JOSHUA
