A famous man once said that there is no greater power than a woman who wants to rise. This proverb describes the personality of Gusi Tobby Lordwilliams. Her determination, courage, and ability to make room for other women can be admirable. Known as LORD T of impact, he is a social impact strategist, communication expert, and specialist in PR and Media relations, working in all industries such as Finance, Fashion & Lifestyle, Social Development, and Telecommunications, specializing in helping. thought leaders expand their influence. Tobby has social impact and volunteer experience in Nigeria’s international development sector. She began her career in the sector as a volunteer and research development support specialist with the United Nations Volunteers corps through Girl Hub Africa, where she was responsible for facilitating the training and recruitment of volunteers for the organization, providing direct and social enterprise-driven technical assistance. accountability services for private sector led companies in Nigeria. This inspired me to start Girl Hub Africa, Nigeria’s largest women’s volunteer organization focused on providing volunteer opportunities for young women to gain valuable work experience while also bridging the gender gap.
The Law graduate from the University of Benin is a multi-award recipient. In this interview with ESTHER IJEWERE, Tobby shares his journey and passion for community service.
The influence of childhood
My childhood was the foundation that prepared me for everything I am today. You know how, as a child, you are encouraged to help people, you want to help in places and in events – from church, to weddings, many types of events and everything, when others see it as ‘oversabi’ – it is very advanced; for me, the small tasks that run and help open me up to a world of endless possibilities and give me many skills that I don’t know and give me the ability to handle things that no one else my age can do.
My parents were very strict and deliberate about the different things I did because I had energy, passion and I was curious. He did a great job of channeling all his energy into making me as gritty and selfless as I am today.
The Inspiration Behind Girl Hub Africa
First, young people need to gain meaningful work experience. I am tired of young people complaining that after school, when applying for a job, employers expect them to have some level of experience – at least between 12 months and 2 years of experience – in that industry or field. It confuses me to see how many people find this excuse by employers to be ridiculous. In his words, “I’m in school, how can I get that kind of work experience?”
So, with a wealth of knowledge as a professional volunteer and after being certified as a volunteer management consultant, I decided to create a platform that encourages young people to volunteer / intern in organizations and companies that match their areas of interest during the holidays. Through this, they can gain practical experience that they can add to their CV. So, for example, a student studying a four-year course will have at least a year or two of experience to become a fresh graduate.
Another reason is because I want young people to connect to their communities. With the advent of social media, many people have lost touch with their communities, doing good and making a lasting impact with their time, skills, resources, and networks. Therefore, Girl Hub Africa was created as an opportunity for young people to make a difference in any area they are interested in, focusing on the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations.
Journey So far
It has been very positive and rewarding. From starting with just two volunteers and using personal funds to launch the brand, to building a social enterprise with more than 10,000 volunteers across Africa, Girl Hub Africa is now the largest women’s volunteer network in Africa due to its on-site and online presence. volunteer.
Three Women Who Inspired Me And Why
I’m glad you put the cover on three women because all my life, I have drawn inspiration from so many audacious women from far and near.
•My mother, Mrs. AC Agusi, is one of the women I have looked up to and emulated throughout my life. He is selfless, down to earth, deliberate, Christ-like and courageous. Of course, he was the only person who could give birth to an icon like me.
• Next is my mentor, Ms. Esther Ijewere, if there is one thing that inspires me about this woman; it’s the ability to reinvent yourself. He can not fit into a box or stereotyped, and seeing him make some strategic and global movements inspires me while reassuring me that I can really be more than what I see. #HigherIsCalling.
• Finally, Dr. May Ikeora always inspires me to be resilient and emotionally intelligent whenever I meet her; he inspired me to be audacious and break the glass ceiling.
Role in GOTNI And How It Influenced Me
I started with GOTNI as a volunteer and grew to become the executive assistant to the president – Linus Okorie MFR. Not only did my role shape and make me great, but it also made me gain global opportunities as I recently became a project coordinator for a regulatory compliance management program in Accra, Ghana.
GOTNI has positively influenced me, prepared me to speak with power and influence, helped me see my brand and myself as a global entity and provided me with a vast network of international thought leaders. No one can contact or go through GOTNI as staff, volunteers, faculty, participants, or partners and remain the same. GOTNI has shaped me into a transformed leader who creates value.
Projects and Other Activities
I host a series of events from Business Brunch for business owners who want to learn how to create sustainable wealth, FFP – Fun, Food and Prayer, a gathering of young people to pray, seek God’s face in life, career and business, have fun while enjoying buffet, for Lunch with GOD T, a networking event that brings together powerhouses in different industries to connect and have fun.
Recently I hosted the “LORD Ts Ball”, an end of year networking ball, awards night and wine tasting for thought leaders. I currently have a job as a West Africa program director for a leading organization, focused on research, education and advocacy that combats the exploitation of young athletes through social and economic transformation.
Tobby’s Gum Brand In Five Years
As a household name, the brand cannot be stereotyped. So, in five years, I will be a global thought leader who has a big family and preaches the gospel to all nations with love and with great signs through my work, words, business, and lifestyle.
Gusi means ‘God Uses Those He Deliberately Uses.’ This is a deliberate brand; watch out for that.
One Problem I Want To Fix In The World
The “Limited Mindset” Problem – many fail because of their limiting mindsets so many people would do so much good for the world.
As much as I like to mention the climate crisis, unemployment, population, bad leaders, etc., they are all on our minds. It is a powerful tool that has created big problems in the world today. It is not surprising that this wisdom is appreciated because many people are rude and what hurts is that they do not know their bad behavior.
So, yes, limiting mindsets, limiting beliefs, whatever we want to call them, is a huge problem that I would like to see in this world. I have started on the board through social media posts and events that I host.
Be a Rubies Woman
I just laughed out loud when I read this question because I was like, “Have you seen me? Have you experienced me? I’m the definition of a woman from Rubies.”
For me, my energy, my brave character, my ability to respect people, my wealth of knowledge, and my warm and friendly nature, just to name a few, make me a Rubies woman.