MY ANIMAL WELFARE BIOGRAPHY (NIGERIA’S WORLD ANIMAL DAY AMBASSADOR)

I am Chiemeka Chiedozie Animal activist, Campaigner, Vegetarian, Humane Educator and the founder of the Humane Global Network, a humane organization registered in Nigeria to promote animal welfare and vegetarianism in schools. I became a vegetarian four years ago. My being a vegetarian is not because of religion but for the sake of my health and my passion for animals. Being an activist and a vegetarian is one of the most interesting things that has ever happened to me.

In 2010, I started a campaign in schools, teaching kids in Nigeria about being a vegetarian and vegan and I have been doing this consistently for eight years. I have carried out seminars in over 200 schools both in Nigeria and outside (see photos below). As an Animal Educator, to promote animal welfare here in Nigeria, I use materials sent to me by Animal Aid (London), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animal (PETA), Vegetarian International Voice for Animals, Animal Defenders International, National Vivisection Society, and International Fund for Animal Welfare.

As a campaigner, I was first featured in Animal Times Magazine 2012 published by PETA. I have also been featured in over 30 newspapers and online media platforms in Nigeria.

In 2012, I was made the World Animal Day Ambassador for Nigeria by Caroline Ruane, the Executive Campaign Director of Nature Watch Foundation in London. In 2012, I was invited to share my animal welfare experience with the staff of Society for Animal Welfare Ghana (SWAGH) in Dodowa, by the World Animal Day Ambassador in Ghana, Mr Ujakpa Martin. In the year 2014, I was also sent an invitation letter to come down to Liberia by Mr. Morris Darbo, the founder and Executive Director of Liberia Animal Welfare and Conservative Society, who is also the World Animal Day Ambassador for Liberia.

In 2015, I was invited to speak on vegetarianism and give animal talks by the Veggie Victory, the organizer of the Lagos Vegetarian Festival, which attracts students and vegetarians across the globe.

Many times I have been invited to the Indian Cultural Centre in Nigeria where I related with Indians and vegetarians and vegans so as to promote vegetarianism. I am a good friend of Mr. Emmanuel Eyo, the president of the Nigerian Vegetarian Society and the founder of the Nigerian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

As a strong Nigerian Animal Activist, I was recently given an award by a Nigerian newspaper for being an Animal Ambassador in Nigeria and for my good works in animal welfare in Nigeria.

I have been sent a sponsorship form to fill to be able to attend the Animal Care Expo in America. Recently, I have been sponsored by the African Network for Animal Welfare to attend the African Animal Welfare Conference to be held at the United Nations facility in Nairobi, Kenya.

Usually, when I speak to groups about vegetarianism, I discuss the following:

TITLE: BEING A VEGETARIAN, THE SUREST WAY TO MAINTAIN A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

In the course of my lectures, I analyze the following points:

1. Who is a vegetarian?

2. What is Vegetarianism?

3. My experience as a vegetarian

4. Nigerians who are vegetarians

5. World Celebrities who are vegetarians and why they became one

6. Stories of the world’s youngest vegetarians (based on information from PETA)

7. Four easy steps to going vegan or vegetarian