Emmanuel Chinoso Okpalaku is a social worker and project manager, and the Global Founder and Executive Director of Operation Preach Social Work Initiative (OPSWI). A Social Work graduate (B.Sc.) of the University of Benin, he leads OPSWI's work to raise awareness of the profession, build the capacity of emerging social workers, promote ethical practice and connect vulnerable individuals and communities with appropriate services. He has led advocacy campaigns, leadership development programmes, seminars, and school and market outreaches across Africa. Emmanuel has spoken at the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Africa Region Conference and at led coordination plans for the inauguration of OPSWI in The Gambia. He has received multiple awards from the Nigeria Association of Social Work Students (NASoWS) for his contributions to social work and youth leadership.
Christopher Orobosa Omowa is Co-founder and Head of Operations of OPSWI, and a Social Work graduate (B.Sc.) of the University of Benin. With over eight years of certified experience in project and programme management, he specialises in mobilising young people for social impact. As National Vice President of NASoWS (2024/2025), he led initiatives including Fusion: Art Meets Tech, the Mental Health Awareness Campaign, the Action for the Future Campaign, the Impact Campus Tour and Learn to Lead, reaching over 7,000 social work students nationwide. He was a delegate to the IFSW Africa Regional Conference in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025. As Creative Director of Chris Charis Concept, he uses film and theatre for social change and leads the Healthy Heart Community Project, a medical outreach reaching over 500 people.
Ogheneyole Great Orioka, known as Papa Okotie, is Financial Secretary and Field Liaison Officer of OPSWI. He holds a degree in Social Work from the University of Calabar, with a specialisation in child welfare and community development. As the 10th National Financial Secretary of NASoWS, he strengthened national strategic planning and advocacy. He founded Great Wings Initiative, which empowers women and children through outreach in girls' schools and correctional centres, work that helped secure the release of two inmates, alongside mental health awareness drives in the streets and markets of Calabar. He represented Nigerian social work students at the IFSW Africa Region Conference in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2025, reflecting his growing profile as a youth leader in grassroots social work and development across Africa.
Toluwani Dorcas Kushimo is Admin of Operations at OPSWI Africa and a Social Work graduate of Babcock University, Nigeria, who has presented at national conferences. She served as Budget and Planning Officer of NASoWS (2024/2025) and represented her institution at the NASoWS Students' AGM in Ilorin, the professional body's AGM in Abuja, and the IFSW Africa Region Conference in Senegal. At Babcock University, she served as Assistant Welfare Director and General Secretary of the Social Work and Human Services Students Association (SWAHSSA). She is a certified Millennium Fellow of the United Nations Academic Impact and an alumna of the Encouragement Initiative Academy. She supports the administration of the Anna Foundation, which empowers widows in Lagos and Atlanta, and is the Founder of Tabitha's Alabaster Initiative.
Dr. Bola Kushimo is a distinguished scholar and visionary leader in public health, whose journey is deeply rooted in her Christian faith and a profound commitment to service. She began her academic pursuits at the esteemed Obafemi Awolowo University, graduating with honors in Microbiology. Driven by a passion for health equity and social justice, Dr. Kushimo earned a Master of Science in Biology from Georgia Southern University, a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, and a PhD in Behavioral and Community Health from the University of Maryland, College Park.
Throughout her career, Dr. Kushimo has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Dean’s Fellowship, the Global Ambassador Award at Georgia Southern University, and the Peace Corps Award. These accolades underscore her dedication to excellence, leadership, and her unwavering resolve to make an impact.
Her professional experience is as diverse as it is impactful—spanning research, academia, consultancy, and clinical service. Her work is marked by a steadfast commitment to translating public health knowledge into meaningful global action, particularly in underserved regions.
As an educator and mentor, Dr. Kushimo has taught and inspired more than 1,000 students in graduate and undergraduate programs. She has developed curricula, established international internships, and guided countless students to academic and professional success.
Dr. Kushimo is the founder of the Anna Foundation, which empowers women—especially widows—by equipping them with business skills and financial resources. She serves on the Advisory Board of Operation Preach Social Work Initiative (OPSWI), a youth-led movement advancing grassroots social work in Nigeria and across Africa. In her capacity as Director of Implementation at Vital Health International, she champions health improvement initiatives across Africa and the Americas.
A passionate advocate for women in leadership, Dr. Kushimo is celebrated for building inclusive teams, nurturing future leaders, and delivering innovative solutions under pressure. She currently serves as Pastor and Director of Implementation and Administration at City of David Atlanta.
Outside her professional and ministry roles, Dr. Kushimo enjoys traveling, cooking, and pursuing lifelong learning. Her life exemplifies a harmonious blend of scholarship, faith, and a commitment to uplifting others, making her a beacon of inspiration within the Christian literary community.
