Page 26 - Future Leaders Magazine

PROFILES

SOMADINA

DIMUDE, 21

School University of York
Subject Law (LLB)
Year Graduated
Grade 2:1

As the lead volunteer on the Projects Abroad
Programme in 2015,Soma participated in
assisting rural communities in Ghana with
SILVANA COELHO, 24 battling teenage pregnancy, unfair dismissal OPEYEMI
and arbitrary demolition of their houses by
the government. EHIMIAGHE, 21
School University of Lancaster Her dedication to the project and existing
Subject Law (BA) relationship with the African culture, lifestyle School Lancaster University
Year Graduated and practices meant that Soma, who is of Subject Law (LLB)
Grade 2:1 Nigerian and Trinidadian descent, was better Year Graduated
placed to lead the team of culturally diverse Grade average First class
Silvana is a pioneer in an area where someone volunteers.
like her wouldn’t otherwise have been seen. Soma was also a Project Manager on When Opeyemi graduates from university next
As the first female member on her university’s a Social Entrepreneurship programme in year, she has an impressive list of endeavours
American football team, the Lancaster Massachusetts working with a team of four she would like to explore.
Bombers, she paved the way for other female assisting start-up businesses with creating As well as applying for her Legal Practice
students to join the sport. innovative content for their websites. Course, she will also look into the possibility
“I tried out for the team in my first year As the Managing Partner of the Student of working at the African Union in Ethiopia,
and was there for two years. They put me in Law Firm at the University of York, Soma where she completed a two-week work
the position of full back (running back), and has chaired seminars and been responsible placement some years prior.
because I am small and very agile, I was able for ensuring the group achieves its learning ‘I am also considering going to law school in
to get away from people,” she says. She had outcomes. Nigeria,’ she says.
never played the game before, but quickly But one thing is certain; any path she
adapted to the three-hour and three-times- Where do you see yourself in 10 years? chooses must include mentorship. Opeyemi
a-week training and keeping up with the rest Working in an international human rights has been a mentor since she was in college.
of the players, becoming the first female law firm. I really want to engage with human At Lancaster University, she is both a Law
member of the team to score a touchdown. rights and social justice. School and African Caribbean Society mentor
And as the publicity officer at the African where she supports both first and second-
Caribbean Society, she has made great strides year students. She says: “It’s actually different
in diversifying its membership. when you’re speaking to a student compared
“Through my diverse friendship background to a lecturer because a student understands
in and outside of university, I was able to your struggle, they’ve been there.”
engage with non-African Caribbeans and Opeyemi is also the ACS President and
welcome them into the society by showing has worked to ensure all members felt both
them that it is a place for everyone to be included and represented at events.
educated on African and Caribbean culture.”
Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Where do you see yourself in 10 years? Working in an international organisation like
In Angola, working and developing my career. the AU or the UN.

Gabriella was selected as the University of Additionally, Gabriella is the Commercial
Leicester’s Student Outreach Ambassador for Awareness Co-ordinator for Aspiring
the Sutton Truth’s Pathways to Law for the Solicitors, an organisation that aims to
2016-17 academic year. Her role is to “help improve diversity in the legal profession. She
inspire and motivate students from non- prepares students for the annual Commercial
privileged backgrounds who have an interest Awareness Competition, designed to develop
in law as a career”. and refine each participant’s awareness of
“The role has developed my public speaking, political, economic and current affairs and
confidence, presentation and organisational how they impact the commercial world.
GABRIELLA skills,” she says. “It has also given me the Despite a busy and demanding schedule,
EZEANI, 20 opportunity to understand the needs of young Gabriella is also an elected LLB Course
people and educate them on the importance
Representative and Webmaster of the
of higher education.” Leicester University Law Society
School University of Leicester Gabriella also underwent a two-week
Subject Law (LLB) training programme with Project Light, Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Year Second a health and social collaborative project Having completed all my qualifications,
Grade average 2:1 between the medical and law school to aid the including my PhD and law school in Nigeria, to
homeless population in Leicester. become an academic.

24 FUTURE LEADERS | 2017-18