Meet the Speakers

JOEL ‘KACHI BENSON’s work revolves primarily around social impact storytelling, using both 2d and VR technology to tell stories across Nigeria and Africa.

In 2018 he became the first Nigerian filmmaker to use Virtual Reality technology for storytelling, when he produced and directed In Bakassi, a virtual experience of life in one of the largest IDP Camps in Northeast Nigeria. In April 2019, ‘Kachi Benson produced and directed his second VR film, Daughters of Chibok, a ground-breaking virtual reality experience that takes viewers into the heart of one of the unsolved mysteries of in Nigeria’s war against insurgency. Daughters of Chibok, won the Venice Lion for Best Immersive Story at the 76th Venice Film Festival, making Benson the first African to win the award in that category. Daughters of Chibok has gone on to screen at over 60 film festivals across the globe, winning awards and special mentions, including being listed on the Forbes List of Top 50 VR Experiences of 2019.

Through his production company, Kachi Benson collaborates with several brands and organisations, including the United Nations Development Program, Sustainable Energy for All, International Committee of the Red Cross, Nigeria LNG Limited, and Stanford Seed, to tell their stories of impact.

‘Kachi Benson is a firm believer in the use of storytelling as a catalyst for positive change, and regularly teaches and mentors young filmmakers. He has presented lectures at several fora, including The Pan Atlantic University, Lagos; American University, Yola; University of Lagos; Morgan State University's School of Global Journalism and Communication; and Biennale College Cinema’s Virtual Reality Program, in Venice Italy.

He is on the list of the NAM Top 100 Most Influential Africans, and the MIPAD 2021 Most Influential Persons of African Descent.

In March 2024 his first full length documentary, Madu, which he directed for Disney was released on the Disney+ channel. His latest feature documentary, Mothers of Chibok, which he made in collaboration with Impact Partners, premiered at Doc NYC in November 2024, and is currently touring the global film festival circui

Yana Galang is a mother and community leader in the Chibok community. Her daughter, Rifkatu, was one the 276 girls that were kidnapped in 2014, and to date, Yana is still waiting for her return. However, this tragedy has not stopped Yana's commitment and drive to see the children of Chibok educated. She continues to advocate for education in the community, and has not stopped educating her other children, whilst encouraging other women to keep sending their children to school. She believes that education is the only way to stop the vicious cycle of war and terrorism, and ensure the future of Chibok

Ewerechukwu Asaka is a Nigerian Rhodes Scholar currently pursuing an MSc in Social Science of the Internet at the University of Oxford. As a young Nigerian girl during the Chibok kidnappings, she witnessed firsthand how this crisis was navigated and later minimised in public discourse, giving her a unique perspective on the events that inspired the global "Bring Back Our Girls" campaign.

Her professional experience includes working as a Product Manager at Spotify in Sweden, where she worked on R&D initiatives focused on better-serving audiences in emerging markets.

Ewerechukwu's passion for women's empowerment is demonstrated through her work with "The She Community," a mentorship platform supporting female students in STEAM fields

Sendi Danjuma Dafwat is a Nigerian psychologist and mental health advocate with expertise in trauma-informed care, particularly in addressing insurgency-related trauma. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Master of Science in Social and Terrorism Psychology.

She currently works as a psychologist at the American University of Nigeria, and Special programs coordinator, a program dedicated to providing education and psychosocial support to individuals affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, including the Chibok girls who escaped captivity in 2014. In this role, she helps students process their trauma, supports their reintegration into society, and promotes their overall mental well-being.

Beyond her work at the American University of Nigeria, Ms. Dafwat is a recognized mental health advocate with experience in humanitarian leadership. She specializes in addressing gender-based violence in crisis situations and is also known to practice yoga.

Her dedication to trauma survivors extends to the families of the abducted Chibok girls, many of whom continue to struggle with deep psychological distress years after the abductions. Through her work, she plays a vital role in advancing comprehensive mental health care for those affected by insurgency-related violence in Nigeria.