The month of March is Women’s history month – a month dedicated to celebrating women who have contributed or are currently contributing their quota to gender equality, the betterment of humanity and to the society. Today, I would like to shine my spotlight on Precious Gaza, an International relations graduate, an emotional intelligence coach and, a girl child education advocate. In this piece she bares it all giving us an insight into how advocacy has been for her as a Nigerian woman. She talks about how she started advocacy, and the challenges so far. She also tells us what inspired her to become an emotional intelligence coach and how life has been for her as a sickle cell warrior.
Hear from her directly:
Can we meet you, please?
My name is Precious Gaza. I am from FCT, Abuja (yes, my state of origin is Abuja! Lol). My tribe is Gbagyi.
Tell us about your educational background?
I have a BSC in International Relations and Diplomacy from Baze University, Abuja. My Post-Grad Diploma from Liverpool John Moores University is in view.
Why did you relocate to Nigeria?
Lol I relocated because my visa expired ni . Just kidding, I relocated because I have work to do in Nigeria.
How do you cope with sickle cell?
My journey with sickle cell has been one filled with depression, therapy sessions, hopelessness and now, my heart and mind are in a very good place. Thank God! So, because I have this condition, I am not waiting to reach a certain level before I do all I want to do! My life is a very fulfilling one and it drives me to keep on fighting. It isn’t easy, I take breaks and cry if I need to.
What inspired what you do as an emotional intelligence coach?
I saw the role emotional intelligence plays in my life and how it has helped me and how it is helping me in my journey to success and I am like “why aren’t people aware of this?”. So, I start putting out content, then more people start coming to me for advice and I am like “You know what, let me go into this!)
Tell us about what you do online building a community?
I would say vulnerability and consistency. The other part might be luck or the fact that people just like my face lol.
Tell us about your advocacy journey?
I have been involved in education advocacy and policy for nearly three years as an advocate for children and a voice for parents in marginalised communities in Northern Nigeria. I am really passionate about reforms in education such as providing access to practicable knowledge and skills that are not typically included in a school’s curriculum. I also want to help underserved children gain access to quality education. My interest in advocacy began with helping internally displaced children with their special educational needs at IDP camps and rural communities in Northern Nigeria. So far, my team and I have supported girls from displaced families with school supplies for the year. (January, 2018). Through Train a Girl (TAG) Initiative, we partnered with another organisation – Mentally Aware Nigeria Initiative (MANI) to host a forum on the “impact of sexual abuse on mental health.” (May, 2018). We also partnered with Parents Summit Africa to teach responsible parenting to young mothers in Nigeria (February 15, 2020)
If you would do something differently, what would that be?
Nothing. Everything I have gone through or done has shaped me into the person I am today.
Who inspires you and why?
Everything around me inspires me. My environment, people, challenges, etc. I even inspire myself. So, I cannot mention one thing or person.
What motivates your posts on twitter and how do you handle trolls on social media?
Conversations or things I am mad about inspire my tweets lol. The nature of my job has given me the privilege to speak to a lot of people. LOL trolls? I do not engage with them. I understand that trolls project their insecurity or hurt on other people so what I feel is a pity and I do not take it to heart.
What pieces of advice do you have for young girls out there?
You are enough. Do not beg for love.
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
I particularly do not fancy this question because plans do not always work out exactly the way we pictured it. Exactly a year ago, I was not an emotional intelligence coach. But I knew I was always going to work with people, be speaking at places and consulting. However, it is good to have goals… with an open mind tho.. I see myself happily married and being an authority in my field and impacting more lives than I am now.
I am sure that this has been an insightful and inspirational moment with Precious Gaza. If you would like to know more about her or support what she does, you can check out her social media handles.
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/preshgaza
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/preshgaza/?hl=en
Twitter – https://twitter.com/preshgaza
Linkedin – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gaza-precious-238616127/
Website – https://preshgaza.disha.page/
I would be dedicating this space from time to time to women who are making a difference out there. The feature will be called Amazons. Feel free to reach out to us if there’s any woman you know who you would like us to interview and talk about how she is making a difference in Nigeria. Thank you.
