Program
Summary
Investment in workforce training and development is a critical need throughout Africa. To address this need in Nigeria, IRIS has designed an exchange program involving workforce development professionals from Iowa and two Nigerian
states -Taraba and Enugu. It is made possible by a grant from the Office of Citizen Exchanges of the U.S. Department of State s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
The goal of the exchange is to create a partnership between Nigerian agencies and Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) to diagnose problems, initiate skills training, and create strategies to address Nigeria s long-range needs. The program is designed to establish sustainable links that may be used as a model for other regions of Nigeria and Africa.
The exchange program started in December 2002 when Jeff Nall (IWD) and Aaron Davenport (IRIS) traveled to Enugu and Taraba to select
the Nigerian participants. The second phase, July-Sept., 2003, consists of a 2-month training program in Iowa when the Nigerian representatives will meet with state officials to learn about the services offered by Iowa Workforce Development, and how IWD efforts relate to other fields, such as education, economic development, and tourism. Additionally, the visitors will have the chance to interact with several Iowa businesses and manufacturers to observe their human resources practices. Another program component consists of training to increase computer skills, develop workforce information systems networks, and increase soft-skills for workforce development. This phase includes the important component of homestays to help the Nigerians learn more about American life and culture.
In the third phase of the program, five Iowans will travel to Nigeria to assist with further training and strengthen the
partnerships.
Iowa Program Leaders
Robert Anderson is President of IRIS, Inc. and a former Lieutenant Governor of the State of Iowa, He was a founding board member and first executive director of the Iowa Peace Institute. He has managed several State Department and USIA programs in Africa and created an African Studies Association in Iowa. For fifteen years, he has directed non-profit organizations devoted to international understanding.
Noa Davenport, Ph. D. is an elementary school teacher and a cultural anthropologist by training. For many years she held positions in the Swiss Government and with the Swiss Red Cross in the context of international development and cooperation. From 1989-1993 she was the Director of Education and Research at the Iowa Peace Institute. Since 1993 she has been an independent consultant and trainer in the U.S. and abroad with a focus on conflict resolution. Dr. Davenport holds positions as an adjunct assistant professor at Iowa State University and is on faculty of William Penn University, College for Working Adults.
Aaron Davenport, MEW, has recently retired as an Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Grand View College in Des Moines. He taught courses in Management, Information Technology, Management Information Systems, Operations Management, Facilities Management, Business Law, and Business Ethics. He served 12 years as the Assistant Director of the Institute for Physical Research and Technology at Iowa State University. In addition, he has over 40 years of management, human relations, human resources, training, and teaching experience in government, non-profits, and academia. Aaron traveled to Nigeria in July and December of 2002 to explore workforce development and select the program participants.
Jeff Nall has worked with labor market information, job training, employment and related programs since 1972. He currently administers a unit which provides labor market information, workforce strategic planning, communications, and staff support to Iowa s Workforce Development Board. Jeff traveled to Nigeria in December 2002 to participate in the first phase of the Nigerian Exchange Program.
Diane Oak Goode is the staff person for the Iowa Workforce
Development Board, a seventeen member group appointed by the Governor to oversee employment and training programs in the State. Diane also serves as the Director for the Employers Council of Iowa and assists
with the Iowa Workforce Development Foundation and the Job Corps Industry Advisory Council.
Tony Dietsch is the Administrator of the Division of Workforce Center Administration of Iowa Workforce Development. He s been associated with Iowa s employment and training programs for twenty-five years.
During that time he has been employed in a variety of capacities at both the State and local levels, including positions in participant counseling,
staff supervision, and program administration. Tony's current responsibilities involve administration of Iowa s system of Workforce
Development Centers, and oversight of multiple workforce programs, including the Workforce Investment Act, Wagner-Peyser, and Welfare-to-Work. Tony has a bachelors degree in English from St. Ambrose University
and a master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Iowa.
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Delegates
From
Enugu State:
Ms. Chika Oguonu, Ph.D., is Senior Lecturer in the Dept. of Public Administration and Local Government at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Dr. Oguono holds a Ph. D. in management, an M.S. in public administration, an M.B.A. in finance, and a B.S. in management from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, where she is an associate member of the Nigerian Institute of Management.
Mr. Fab O. Onah, Ph. D., is Senior Lecturer at the SubDepartment of Public Administration and Local Government at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Dr. Onah holds a Ph. D. from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as well as an M.S. in public administration, an M.P.A. and B.S. in psychology.
Ms. lefoma Nneka Yvonne Ezepue is assistant Chief Personnel Office/Head of the Personnel Management
Dept. at the National Directorate of Employment in Enugu. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in education and a B.A. in English from the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Mr. Paul Chekwudo Oranu is Senior Systems Analyst for the M.I.S. Unit in the office of the Vice Chancellor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He holds a B.S. in computer science from the
University of Ibadan.
Mr. Gerald Chukwuma Nnaji is manager of the Community Development Coordinating Council in Enugu, Nigeria. He holds an M.B.A. in banking and finance as well as a B.S. in economics from the University of Nigeria,
Nsukka.
Delegates From
Taraba State:
Ms. Lynda Aminu is a teacher of physics and chemistry in the Government Day Secondary School in Bambur. She holds a Nigerian Certificate in education, science, physics, and chemistry from the College of Education, Jalingo as well as certificates in computer appreciation, word processing, and home economics.
Mr. Ronald A. Bulus Mangey is the owner of Mangey Computer Services and a lecturer in the Computer Unit and Building Department of Taraba State Polytechnic. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in computer studies and a first degree in computer studies from Abubaker Tafawa Balewa University, as well as a Higher Diploma in engineering and surveying from Kaduna Polytechnic.
Mr. Mohammed Bello is a Principal Lecturer at the College of Education in Jalingo. He holds a Master of Science in applied analytical chemistry from the University of Jos, Plateau State, a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Maiduguri, Borno State, and computer certification from the College of Education, Jalingo.
Mr. Mohammed Sale Muri is a senior manager with Taraba Investment Company and a co-partner in Smiles
Communication, Ltd. in Jalingo. He holds an M.B.A. from Federal University of Technology, Yola, and a B.S. in economics from University of
Maiduguri.
Mr. Joshua Elin Kalla is State Coordinator/Chairman for the National Poverty Eradication Program. He holds a Master of Arts in law and diplomacy from the University of Jos, and a B. A. in literature from Ahamadu Bello University,
Zaria. |
