Author: Mary Kloser
Jerry Mbazor is our esteemed volunteer of the month for August! Hailing from Abuja, Jerry has been the cornerstone of Generation Atomic’s outreach in Africa, passionately advancing nuclear advocacy throughout this summer.
Over the summer Jerry organized a team of nuclear experts to speak at and host an exhibit at the Nigerian Association of Energy Economics annual conference. He also played an important role in securing funding for the Kenyan Advocacy Week — This week-long initiative spotlighted the significance of nuclear energy for Kenya via diverse channels such as radio and TV interviews, university talks, public demonstrations, and parliamentary visits.
Jerry demonstrated his value last year by organizing a full day conference in Abuja on nuclear energy in which numerous government officials from Nigeria’s energy department attended. The energy of the event rippled into the following day with a march for nuclear energy that brought 130 enthusiastic advocates through the streets of Abuja.
Presently Jerry is working with a team from AYGN to organize efforts for Africa Climate Week in September.
To learn more about Jerry check out the Q&A below!
Q: When did you first get into nuclear advocacy and why?
A: “I got into nuclear advocacy in 2012, and became active in 2013 when I volunteered with IYNC in planning workshops for its biennial congress. My early childhood experiences of lack of basic energy and electricity in my home country of Nigeria have driven my interest in energy infrastructure development. Concurrently, I have grown up with the stark reality of climate change impacts, which have also disproportionately affected developing countries like Nigeria. These dual frustrations of lack of electricity and climate change evoked a sense of purpose in me, and the desire to “do something” about it. As an employee of a nuclear promoting agency in Nigeria, I noticed the dearth of knowledge about the immense potential of nuclear energy in Nigeria, Africa and beyond. Although there is a general fear of negative connotations of the atomic bomb when the words “nuclear” or “atomic” energy are mentioned, most people are open to exploiting it to meet the growing energy need. The knowledge gap coupled with crippling energy poverty in Africa, sent me naturally gravitating towards meeting that need through advocacy, hence I was chosen by nuclear advocacy.”
Q: What has been one of your favorite moments while being a nuclear advocate?
A: “I have quite a handful of favorite moments, though I can’t say it is Uhuru yet. Starting NYGN, AYGN, AfriNuke podcast and Step Up Nuclear with other amazing team members in Nigeria and across the globe, especially from Africa, has challenged and also helped me embrace diversity, innovation, hard work and leadership experience. Also getting to visit the first naturally occurring nuclear fission reactor in Oklo, Gabon, Central Africa after participating in Africa Climate Week that year, where I travelled through a tortuous mix of road transport from Nigeria, has been a highlight.
Q: What hopes do you have for the future of nuclear energy?
A: “According to Serhii Plokhy, “The next great frontier of nuclear energy is Africa.” With the benefits of standing on the shoulders of leaders before me and the tremendous technological advancement in nuclear technology, especially advanced/micro reactors, I can say that glimpses of a nuclear renaissance are in sight. There is no greater joy than to see governments and businesses in Africa and developing nations picking up interest in building nuclear power plants and other peaceful nuclear facilities for health, industrial applications, economic growth and climate change adaptation/mitigation. I am more hopeful because the young generations globally and in Africa especially are increasingly becoming interested in their future and are accepting how safe and secure nuclear energy contributes greatly to ensuring a sustainable future for them to thrive in.
Thank you to Jerry and all our volunteers for all of your hardwork!
