By Prosper Mene
From drug abuse prevention to regional integration, the Founder of Shalom Vineyard Initiative is championing humanitarian service, purposeful leadership and a brighter future for young people across West Africa.
For Lady Ambassador Judith Edirin Eyegho (MIHSD), Founder and Chairperson of Shalom Vineyard Initiative, humanitarian service is more than a profession; it is a lifelong commitment rooted in compassion, faith and a determination to make society better for future generations.
Her dedication to youth development and regional cooperation reached another significant milestone on 28 October 2026, when she hosted the 13th ECOWAS Youth Summit 2026 at the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos State. The summit, themed “The Role of ECOWAS Court of Justice to Curb Human Trafficking Across the Border,” focused attention on the importance of justice, human rights and regional cooperation in addressing human trafficking across West Africa.
Through this initiative, Eyegho continues to champion a future in which young people are informed, empowered and actively involved in building a peaceful, united and prosperous West African region.
Her story is one of perseverance, faith and purposeful service—a journey that began in a close-knit community and gradually evolved into a mission to influence the lives of young people beyond national borders.
A Childhood Shaped by Community and Compassion
Born as the sixth and last child of the late Sir Victor Olodi and the late Deaconess Victoria Amorighoye Eyegho, Judith grew up in Ekpan, in the former Bendel Western Region, in a community where collective responsibility, moral discipline and peaceful coexistence were strongly valued.
She fondly remembers an environment where community members participated actively in raising children, correcting wrongdoing and encouraging good conduct. These early experiences helped shape her understanding of the importance of shared responsibility and the role individuals can play in building a better society.
As a young girl, she participated in Junior Love, a community association that promoted morality, unity and love through songs and dance. The experience exposed her to the importance of peaceful coexistence and collective participation in community development.
In 1978, she moved to Lagos to continue her education. Her school years further strengthened her commitment to fairness and her intolerance for oppression. She recalls challenging behaviour she considered unjust, regardless of the ethnic or social background of those involved.
Although she initially aspired to study Law because of her passion for defending people’s rights, she eventually pursued higher education in other fields, building an academic foundation that would complement her humanitarian and development interests.
Academic and Professional Development
Lady Ambassador Eyegho’s educational journey reflects her commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
She obtained a Diploma in Data Processing/Computer Science from the University of Lagos in 1992, followed by a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Sociology from the University of Abuja in 2004.
Further advancing her academic qualifications, she earned a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos in 2012.
In 2014, she obtained an Executive Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Studies and Social Development, affiliated with Abia State University. She also holds an Executive Diploma in International Law and Diplomacy, alongside a Certificate of Participation in International Volunteering (Level 2), awarded by Kingsland Foundation in partnership with La Plage Metaverse in 2022.
These academic and professional qualifications complement her interests in humanitarian service, international relations, diplomacy, social development and regional cooperation.
The Birth of Shalom Vineyard Initiative
For Eyegho, the establishment of Shalom Vineyard Initiative was closely connected to her faith and growing awareness of the challenges confronting young people.
One experience that influenced her advocacy involved a nephew who had become involved in cannabis use. Concerned about his wellbeing, she began educating him and others about the dangers of drug abuse and its possible consequences for their health and future. She recalls that her nephew eventually stopped using the substance.
The experience strengthened her conviction that young people need guidance, education and encouragement to make responsible decisions.
On 10 March 2005, Shalom Vineyard Initiative commenced its public advocacy activities with a drama presentation highlighting the dangers of drug abuse. The inaugural event was declared open by the late Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo, former First Lady of Nigeria.
The organisation subsequently pursued drug abuse awareness and addiction-prevention education among students in Lagos State through its Youth and Passion programme, which Eyegho says ran for seven years.
These early activities laid the foundation for a broader development agenda that would eventually encompass youth empowerment, regional cooperation, peacebuilding, patriotism, academic excellence and good governance.
For Eyegho, the objective has always been to help young people understand the consequences of their choices while equipping them with the knowledge and values needed to build productive lives.
From Drug Abuse Advocacy to Regional Integration
In 2010, Eyegho’s vision expanded with the development of the ECOWAS Youth Summit, a platform designed to promote regional integration, diplomacy, patriotism, peacebuilding and academic excellence among young people.
The initiative emerged from her conviction that youths across West Africa needed a better understanding of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), its regional integration objectives, the free movement of citizens and the importance of cooperation among member states.
The summit’s first conference was organised around the theme, “The Need for Socio-Cultural Re-Orientation Amongst the Youths in West Africa Sub-Region.”
Since then, the initiative has provided students with opportunities to research topical issues, present their findings, improve their public-speaking abilities and engage with matters affecting their countries and the wider region.
Through its workshops, seminars and conferences, the initiative has also explored career development, agriculture, responsible citizenship and the dangers of drug abuse.
Eyegho believes these engagements help students develop confidence, discover new opportunities and appreciate their responsibilities as future leaders.
According to her, the summit offers young people a platform to express their ideas, showcase their creativity and participate in discussions that extend beyond the classroom.
Her ambition is to nurture a generation that understands both its national identity and its place within a wider West African community.
13th ECOWAS Youth Summit 2026: Confronting Human Trafficking Across Borders
The 13th edition of the ECOWAS Youth Summit, held on 28 October 2026, at the University of Lagos, Akoka, brought a pressing regional concern into focus: human trafficking across national borders.
The theme, “The Role of ECOWAS Court of Justice to Curb Human Trafficking Across the Border,” reflects the importance of examining regional legal institutions, human rights protections and cooperation among member states in addressing trafficking and the exploitation of vulnerable people.
Human trafficking is a complex challenge that requires coordinated responses, public awareness, effective institutions and sustained collaboration across national boundaries.
By placing the subject at the centre of youth engagement, the summit reinforces the importance of educating young people about human dignity, justice and the mechanisms available for addressing human rights concerns.
For Eyegho, youth development must go beyond motivational speeches. Young people need opportunities to understand the legal and institutional structures that affect their lives and to participate meaningfully in discussions about solutions to societal problems.
The choice of theme also aligns with her longstanding commitment to protecting vulnerable populations and encouraging young people to become responsible citizens who can contribute to a safer and more just society.
Through the summit, she continues to promote the idea that an informed and engaged youth population is essential to the future of regional cooperation and sustainable development.
Overcoming Challenges and Expanding the Vision
Despite the progress made through its programmes, funding remains a significant challenge for Shalom Vineyard Initiative.
Eyegho explains that organising an annual summit involving students and other stakeholders requires substantial resources, particularly for venue hire, transportation, logistics and other operational expenses.
These financial constraints sometimes limit the number of participants the organisation can accommodate, even when interest in its activities is strong.
Nevertheless, she remains determined to sustain the initiative and expand its reach.
To complement the annual summit and support its broader objectives, Shalom Vineyard Initiative introduced ECOWAS Delight International Magazine, a publication intended to promote regional cooperation, diplomacy, cultural diversity, tourism and investment opportunities across West Africa.
The magazine is also intended to strengthen the initiative’s visibility and support its efforts to engage a wider audience.
Eyegho hopes to establish stronger partnerships with ECOWAS member-state governments, private-sector organisations and educational institutions to enable the summit to reach more young people throughout the region.
Her long-term ambition is to see the programme hosted collaboratively across all 15 ECOWAS member states, creating broader opportunities for youth participation, knowledge-sharing and regional engagement.
For her, achieving this vision requires a collective commitment from governments, institutions and individuals who recognise the importance of investing in the next generation.
A Strong Message to West African Youths
Beyond organising conferences and educational programmes, Eyegho is deeply concerned about the challenges facing young people, particularly economic hardship and the exploitation of youths for political purposes.
She believes that some young people are drawn into political thuggery and other harmful activities because of limited economic opportunities and the absence of meaningful support.
Her message is that young people must protect their integrity, reject violence and refuse to sacrifice their future for the temporary interests of others.
She encourages them to pursue education, acquire practical skills, embrace meaningful work and participate responsibly in governance and community development.
Eyegho also stresses that patriotism should be demonstrated through constructive contributions to society rather than blind loyalty to individuals.
She believes that the countries of West Africa share interconnected challenges, including insecurity, hunger, inadequate housing and limited opportunities, which require collective responses.
Her vision is for young people to become active participants in addressing these problems and to recognise that regional unity can create opportunities for stronger economic cooperation and sustainable development.
She equally advocates a renewed culture of volunteerism, recalling how her early experiences in youth organisations helped instil compassion, discipline and a willingness to serve others.
In her view, families, schools, community organisations and governments all have important roles to play in encouraging young people to embrace humanitarian service and civic responsibility.
The Legacy of a Woman Driven by Purpose
For Lady Ambassador Judith Edirin Eyegho, the ultimate measure of success is not personal recognition but the positive difference her work makes in people’s lives.
She hopes to be remembered as a woman who loved West Africa and created opportunities for youth empowerment, regional integration, purposeful leadership and good governance.
Her journey from community-based youth activities to founding Shalom Vineyard Initiative and hosting the annual ECOWAS Youth Summit demonstrates her determination to transform personal convictions into practical action.
Through the 13th ECOWAS Youth Summit, she continues to advocate a future in which young people are equipped to defend human dignity, reject exploitation, contribute to development and build bridges across national and cultural boundaries.
Although funding challenges remain, her determination to expand the initiative reflects her belief that meaningful development requires persistence, partnerships and a shared commitment to the common good.
Ultimately, Eyegho wants her work to outlive her personal involvement, creating a sustainable platform through which future generations can continue learning about diplomacy, regional cooperation, leadership and humanitarian service.
As she pursues her vision of a more united and prosperous West Africa, her message remains consistent: the future of the region depends on the quality of its leadership, the opportunities available to its young people and the willingness of its citizens to work together.
Through Shalom Vineyard Initiative and the 13th ECOWAS Youth Summit, Lady Ambassador Judith Eyegho is building more than a platform for youth engagement; she is nurturing a vision of a West Africa where compassion, integrity, cooperation and purposeful leadership become enduring foundations for development.
