Draft:Elvis Obas Akpobi

Elvis Obas Akpobi is an advocate for youths inclusion and good governance in Africa. He is the founder and Executive Director Not Too Young To Lead initiative, a non - governmental organization that is inspiring and empowering young Africans to get involved  in electoral processes of their countries while building them to become the leaders they desire for Africa.

Early Life
Elvis is a native of Delta state.. He attended  the prestigious Delta Steel Company Primary School now Premium Steel Schools in Delta state. His secondary school  experience at the Technical High School (DSC) was laced with discipline and moral values. He served as a theatre art coordinator.

Higher Education
He is a graduate  of Geophysics from the Federal University of Technology Owerri. He also studied Petroleum  and Natural Gas Engineering at the Petroleum Training Institute Warri Delta state. He is a PhD  student  of Environmental Management and toxicology  from the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurun, Delta state where he also obtained an MSc.

Career
He worked as a technical officer with the Delta state ministry of water resources. In 2015, he was appointed the Personal Assistant to the Honorable Commissioner for Special Duties Government house. Not pleased by the political re cycling and absence of young people in leadership position in his state, He formed and registered the NotTooYoungLead initiative  a youth advocacy and social development group. His advocacy for youth inclusion birthed young Commissioners nomination young legislators elected into the state house of Assemblies across Nigeria.

In 2019, he was appointed the Special Assistant on Youths Development to Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, a position and platform he used to impact young Deltans through leadership programs, skills development .

Elvis was appointed the Nigerian Ambassador to the Young Political Leadership School Africa (Liberia).

In 2021 and 2023, he led  young Nigerians to Liberia for  the YPLSA.

He was appointed an international strategic Observer for the 2023 October 10 General elections that held in Liberia.

Elvis Akpobi Co curated TEDx Okpanam, first ever Ted event organized in Asaba and environ with  100 young people in attendance

Elvis is a member of the ForbesBLK community.

His visible impact in youth development across Africa with the Not Too Young To Lead Initiative, won him a $15000 grant by the Nigeria youth future fund partners of Leap Africa.

Elvis successfully organized a fully funded 3 days International leadership and innovation bootcamp for West Africa youths with delegates from Liberia, Sierra Leone  Gambia, Togo converging in Asaba Delta state Nigeria.

Advocacy
Elvis started his advocacy for good governance and youth inclusion during  his National youth service year. With the Not Too Young To Lead Initiative,  he successfully amplified the muted voices of youths in Africa through  his projects across the continent. He is constantly speaking out against bad leadership,  anti social vices among  young people  which earned him several recognitions and awards.

Delta role model awards 2018

Delta legacy awards for youths development 2022

Delta heritage awards for youth advocacy

Unsung hero award 2020

Future Africa awards for Community action 2019.

Work
Elvis is a member of the NotTooYoungToRun movement, a Nigerian youth movement that support young people's right to run for political offices ensured that an age reduction bill was passed across the country promoting youths inclusion in politics. His quest for a better Africa has birthed several youth development programs across the continent.. Advocacy for safe spaces for young people, inclusion ,campaigns during elections for voters registration and against vote buying. He is also a board member of Delta state environmental conservation initiative.

Projects
2019 NotTooYoungToLead leadership bootcamp Ughelli Delta

Fully funded leadership bootcamp for 100 young Nigerians, the Not Too Young Lead Initiative in a quest to shape the future organized and educate young people on good governance and leadership.

2021.

Udu Youths Conference

With the aim of achieving sustainable peace in Warri Udu Local Government area ,Delta state.

The Not Too Young To Lead Initiative in collaboration with Delta state Government organized a one day youth for peace seminar tagged, Stronger together.

With Youths, leaders, stakeholders  discussing ways of achieving  peace in  Udu

2021/2022

Food drive Project

In line with the SDG goal 2. My team and i have consistently mark world food day with more than 500 homes in different slums of Delta, Bayelsa and other Nigeria  Delta states.

Beneficiaries of this project are mostly vulnerable women and children in different slum.

2023

Water project

In line with the SDG goal 6 for clean water for all. habitats of Igbi streets in Warri south LGA Delta Nigeria where beneficiaries of mono pump.

The Not Too Young To Lead Initiative installed mono pumps in different slums across Delta state.

2020

Advocacy against Human trafficking, Rape,  illegal migration and drug abuse among young people

Quality and better Education ( back to school Project)

Provision of free school materials ( bags, uniforms, sandals ) for over 300 pupils in different school across Nigeria.

2023

Fully funded International leadership bootcamp for West Africa youths with more than 100 youths from Liberia,  Nigeria, Togo, Gambia, Serria loene in attendance.

Scholarship program

Scholarship for over 50 young Deltans in University and secondary school.

Free Skills acquisition program

The currency of our generation is Skills and talent, when young people are engaged crime rate will reduce. Over 100 young Nigerians were trained in tailoring, solar panel installation, ICT.

Awards

 * 2019: Delta Unsung Heroe Award
 * 2019: The Future Awards Africa (Advocacy category)
 * 2019: United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Action Awards