Dr. Nimi Stephanie Ekere is a Consultant Family Physician. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants and a Certified Management Consultant. She is a Certified Management Specialist with distinction in Time Management from the London Graduate School.
Dr Nimi Ekere is a leading Child Advocate, Author, Speaker, Parenting Enthusiast, Coach, Mentor, Teacher and Humanitarian.
Nimi is the founder of Smileandshine Children’s Foundation, a non-profit organisation that is aimed at preventing Child Sexual Abuse, providing the needed help and support, as well as emergency care and treatment with adequate follow up and rehabilitation of victims (children).
She is an author of four best selling books that address the issue of Child Sexual Abuse with practical remedies. This collection of books teaches children, pre-teenagers, teenagers and parents all they need to know about combating the menace.
Nimi is a strong proponent of effective and intentional parenting and convenes different programmes and conferences that promote child rights and protection. She has also featured in many panels and conferences across the globe.
Leading Ladies Africa: Who is Nimi Ekere?
Nimi Ekere: Nimi Ekere is a Nigerian. She is a medical doctor specialised in Family Medicine, an author and a child advocate. Dr Ekere is married with amazing children.
Leading Ladies Africa: Can you share some of your Memorable moments and highlights in the course of your work?
Nimi Ekere: As a medical doctor, I have a plethora of memorable moments. From seeing my patients almost dead to seeing them recover fully and hearing them call to tell me how incredible their journey to recovery has been. The feeling of being a part of their healing process and breakthroughs is something I deeply cherish, especially when they call to thank you and pray for you. Also, hearing your patients tell you that you are a fantastic physician and knowing that they mean it means so much to me.
As a child advocate, my memorable moments would be when a child going through trauma from sexual abuse gets stable and fits in appropriately into society. It gives me so much joy to be able to offer help and succour to vulnerable people especially children. My heart bleeds each time a child is traumatised and being able to help them walk through their journey to healing and rehabilitation is an amazing feat for me, that I do not take for granted.
Leading Ladies Africa: With how far you have come and your success, what achievements do you hope for in the next five years?
Nimi Ekere: In my career, I hope to be one of the best Family Physicians in the world. In Nigeria, I hope to work with the government to strengthen the weak state of the Primary Health Centres, as the Primary Health Care systems are the gate opener to other higher health care services. In addition, I will ensure that there is better funding for the sector with excellent and competent medical personnel readily available at all times. This will go a long way to increase health sector capacities and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality in the country.
As a child advocate, I hope to see children be children and live like children. I hope that even the hard-to-reach children would be better empowered to stay safe from sexual abuse in the next five years. I want to see a society safe to raise a child. I believe that this is possible if everyone gets involved knowing that we can all be the voice of the voiceless. I also want to see a society where children’s rights are protected and even respected. The Child Rights Act needs to be domesticated in all states of Nigeria and implemented to the letter.
Leading Ladies Africa: Can you briefly share some women you consider mentors?
Nimi Ekere: Many remarkable women across the globe are doing admirable work in their chosen fields, and I have a deep respect for what we have been able to achieve as a gender. That said, some women have inspired me in many ways to step out and do my bit to make this world better. Some of them are my mum, Mrs Joy Raymond, Dr Ngozi Nwabuoku, Dr Stephanie Oarhe, Pastor Funke Felix- Adejumo. I also admire Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Mrs Ibukun Awosika and Her Excellency Dr Ibijoke Sanwo Olu.
Leading Ladies Africa: Do you have a life philosophy, personal mantra perhaps that keeps you steady when the going gets tough?
Nimi Ekere: Matthew 19 verse 26; With God, all things are possible.
