By Theresa Effa, Nigeria Country Director

We are deeply saddened to share that Rise Up lost one of its incredible Nigeria alums in September, Mr. Emmanuel Sunday Tagwai. Emmanuel became a Rise Up Leader in 2018 and displayed a passion for creating exponential change and advocating for the rights of women and girls in his community.

Emmanuel was the Head of Programs at the Development and Peace Initiative (DPI), a faith-based organization in Kaduna State, Nigeria. He had extensive experience in governance and development with a focus on peace and security. With DPI, Emmanuel managed and successfully coordinated projects for over 10 years and mentored young men and women. He was also a member of the team that drafted the organization’s operational manual.

Emmanuel was always eager to incorporate more programs to improve girl child education, youth economic empowerment, and leadership development.

A loving husband, father, grandfather, colleague, and women’s and girl’s rights advocate, Emmanuel will be remembered for his brilliance, hard work, humility, and simple lifestyle. As we bid him goodbye, may his good work and the lives that he touched continue to motivate us to carry on the fight for women’s and girls’ rights.