Claire Onzee on The Platform

Claire Onzee is from the Western part of Kenya. She is the founder of Vizoneer Investment Limited a purchasing and supply company in Kenya. She holds a Degree in Business Administration Marketing option at Kenya Methodist University, She holds a Diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management at Kenya Institute of Management, currently pursuing an ICT alongside Youth Empowerment programmes at African Center For Women and ICT. Claire is the Chief Executive Officer Pan African Conglomerate, she is passionate about writing, she has been involved in writing Newspaper articles, talk points, short takes and opinion counts to Kenyan local dealies. 

She steps on The Platform and we discussed her Youth Dialogue Cafe, SDGs, and her new appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of Pan African Conglomerate. 

ThankGod: Congratulations on your appointment as the Chief Executive Officer Pan African Conglomerate.

Claire: Thank you for having me today. Sure, you are right about the position. I am humbled to work with an organization that unifies all African States in Business and Entrepreneurship as a way of embracing Agenda 2030.

ThankGod: What does this appointment mean to you and how do you intend to do things differently from other officers?

Claire: This appointment gives me an opportunity to provide servant leadership, education and direction to the youth in the Entrepreneurship and the entire business docket. The World continues to become more competitive on a weekly basis and it is our duty to bridge the gap in between for efficient sustainability. I intend to involve more Youth in projects related to Health, Education, Energy, Agriculture and Technology which are our major area of focus.

ThankGod: Wow, it seems like you have a plan mapped out even before the appointment. Hahaha! That's nice.

Claire: Yes I do, (smiling) Planning is important as it allows you to prioritize your work, get more done in less time and helps you to produce quality work. Beginning a project without a thoughtful plan is like starting a road trip without a map. You may eventually get to where you are going, but you are likely to spend energy and resources meandering rather than charting a direct line towards your destination.

ThankGod: Let's get personal with you a little bit, aside being the Chief Executive Office of Pan Africa Conglomerate, who is Claire Onzee, where's she from, growing up, eduction?

Claire: Claire Onzee is from the Western part of Kenya. She is the founder of Vizoneer Investment Limited a purchasing and supply company in Kenya. She holds a Degree in Business Administration Marketing option at Kenya Methodist University, She holds a Diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management at Kenya Institute of Management, She is a beneficiary of Civic Leadership courses from the YALINETWORK and she is currently pursuing an ICT alongside Youth Empowerment programmes at African Center For Women and ICT. Claire is the brain child of an online platform known as 'Youth Dialogue Café on twitter where she addresses issues facing African youth in relation to the Global sustainability Goals.

Claire is passionate about writing. Lately she has been involved in writing newspaper articles, talk points, short takes and opinion counts to the Kenyan local dailies. In relation to writing, she has also started her blog 'Youth Dialogue Café' where she addresses imperative issues affecting the youth. Due to her tight schedule, she has not dedicated herself too much to blogging.

ThankGod: Wow! You have so much on your plate and hope you can finish all this food? Lolzzz!.

Claire: Lol, I only chew what I can swallow, but in this context,the vice versa may be applicable. We must reach out and touch our Youth. Our youth are embittered and hurt, but it's not a congenital disease. They were not born the way they are. They live amid rejection in broken streets, broken glass, broken sidewalks, broken families and maybe broken hearts. Their music, their rap, their videos, their art reflects their broken world. We must reach out and touch them through empowerment programmes and other related initiatives. 

ThankGod: Let's talk about the SDGs. In the 17Goals, which is your favourite Goal and why, how are you contributing towards making the SDGs a reality before 2030?

Claire: Global goal number 10 is my favorite and it talks about reduced Inequalities within and among countries. By 2030, it aims at empowering and promoting social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, economic status or other status. It aims at ensuring equal opportunities and reduced Inequalities of outcome, including eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation. It aims at ensuring enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effectively among other targets.

My contribution towards SDGs is by increasing knowledge in SDGs through my online platform 'Youth Dialogue Cafe' to enhance capacity development. I am also involved in Strategic Alliance Building ie working together to bring all stakeholders on board ie Civil Society, Youth representatives and foundations among others, though this is in its initial stages. Youth today are the torch bearers of a decent and better future.

ThankGod: For the purpose of some of our readers who don’t know about Pan Africa Conglomerate, tell us about Pan Africa Conglomerate and what is the organization about?

Claire: The Pan-African Conglomerate (êPAC) is a network of youth representatives from all the 54 African States, coming together with one vision to promote and build Africa through business and entrepreneurship.

êPAC VISION

We envision an Africa where its youth are building multi-billion companies that solve African problems through creativity and innovation.

êPAC MISSION

To create the first Pan-African youth conglomerate of all the 54 African states. 

ThankGod: Its overwhelming that you've achieved so much as a young person and you're still breaking new grounds, what advice do you have for young people like you out there. 

Claire: Young people are the biggest /major stakeholders in businesses. We must recognize them as a society since they have energy and assets to make SDGs be realized. (You will notice that I in the course of my conversation the Global Goals are frequently mentioned) Most people use youths to make their agenda. I will advice youths that if they show up in such meetings/make yourself noticeable and unforgettable. How do we make it happen as Youth? Let us work with local leaders, it is our duty to advocate for action, let us engage in local projects, let us counter extremism and finally let us be the trailblazers. Empowerment is the key Action.

ThankGod: Thank you Claire for stepping on The Platform and for speaking with me, I wish you all the best in all your endeavors.

Claire: Thank you for taking your time to discuss this position with me. I particularly like the way you have made me feel comfortable from the start. I would really welcome an opportunity to return for the next round of interviews. Regards

-------------------------------------------------------
This interview was conducted by ThankGod Okorisha, All rights reserved, 29th February, 2016.