AWLO FEMDI WOMAN OF THE MONTH

Nkopuyo Abraham

Nkopuyo Abraham is a Marine Pilot with the Nigerian Ports Authority with over 19 years of experience. The Merchant Navy hails from Ikot Akpa Idem in Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria, she has piloted over 2000 vessels.

Pilot Novey_1, being her call sign, also known as Pilot November 1, is the first female Marine Pilot in Akwa Ibom state and one of the first two female marine pilots in Nigeria. She studied in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, where she obtained a National Diploma (ND) in nautical science and started work at the Nigerian Ports Authority in 2005.

She furthered her studies at the South Africa Maritime Training Academy and the School of Maritime Operations, Fleetwood Nautical Campus, Blackpool in the United Kingdom, majoring in ship handling, maritime radio operations and marine pilotage.

Nkopuyo is a recipient of multiple awards including: the best female ND in Nautical Science, recognition of Expertise award in NPA, Gallantry and Dedication award, WILAT (Women in Logistics and Transport) award, for being an outstanding role model in the industry, and the MAN (Maritime Academy of Nigeria) Alumni Amazon award among others.

She is happily married with 3 children to a very handsome and supportive man, she loves music, loves to travel, swims, plays football and loves to ride power bikes at her leisure. She is very jovial and diligent.

Joy Stephen Justin is a community-driven entrepreneur who hails from Obot Akara local government area of Akwa Ibom State in Nigeria. Born on the 21st of March, 2000 and based in Calabar in Cross River state, she is a skilled mechanic with a passion for innovation and community growth, with 5 years of hands-on experience in mechanics, gained through dedicated trade training and apprenticeship.

She has developed a strong foundation in vehicle maintenance and repair, holds Trade Test Certificates 1, 2, and 3, demonstrating her technical proficiency and commitment to excellence in her field. She also holds an O’level certificate from the Government Technical College, Calabar, Cross River State, has complemented her formal education with practical skills and expertise in mechanics, with keen interest in automotive technology, engine dismantling and assembling, vehicle diagnosis, repairs, servicing and maintenance, she continues to expand her knowledge and skills as she is committed to life-long learning.

As the CEO of Femmefixer Autoville, providing top-notch automotive services and solutions, committing to excellence, innovation and customer satisfaction, are her passion. She trains aspiring young girls who wish to emulate her in a career pursuit as female mechanics. Joy aims to make a positive impact in her community and Nigeria at large with a focus on youth empowerment and technical skills promotion by creating opportunities for youths in the automotive industry.

Joy is a recognized voice in the industry who has been interviewed by prominent media outlets such as BBC Pidgin News and various radio stations. She has also attended notable conferences and seminars, including the West Africa Automotive Show (WAAS) in Lagos, to stay at the forefront of industry developments.

She has worked with prestigious companies like G.C Auto Care -Enugu, Dennis and Co Automobile Village-Calabar, Adeniyi’s Automobiles -Calabar and FEMMEFIXER AUTOVILLE -Calabar. These experiences have equipped her with deep understanding of the industry and a strong network of professionals. With great work ethics and dedication to excellence, she is poised to make meaningful contributions to the automotive industry and beyond.

Lightness Ladislaus Salema, a Tanzanian social-economic development Pioneer is an accomplished engineer, entrepreneur and advocate for women and youth empowerment, with over two decades of experience in the Network Marketing, Mining and Construction sectors.

She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Dar es Salaam, a Postgraduate Diploma in Facilities Management from Leeds Metropolitan University, pursued ACCA accounting studies, up to Level 2, alongside specialized training in wireless communication and mining.

She has worked with prestigious organizations such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Central Bank of Tanzania, before transitioning to focus on empowering women and youth, fostering growth in local economies while promoting sustainability and inclusion.

Salema is the driving force behind Women in Mining Operations (WIMO), a platform that empowers women in mining by enhancing their participation and leadership across the value chain. Her efforts in the mining sector include transforming the industry to be more productive, inclusive and ensuring that mining contributes to social and economic development in a sustainable way.

Her engineering expertise extends to construction of rock bridges at Ifakara, Morogoro, and road construction projects. She was involved in the construction of twin towers for the Central Bank of Tanzania, a $400 Billion project, showcasing her leadership in major infrastructure projects. She has also worked on live line technology maintenance for high voltage lines, which involves maintaining power lines without switching off the power, demonstrating her innovation and commitment to sustainable energy practices.

Additionally, she is the Tanzania Country head of Commonwealth Business Women Africa, Vice President of AWLO Tanzania, Board member of Hakirasalimali, Tanzania Women Contractors Association and Jangwani Girls secondary School. Salema is further advancing leadership training for women, positioning them to take on leadership roles in industries traditionally dominated by men, such as mining and construction.