Conference speakers

A’zamova Feruza Abduholiq qizi was born on December 8, 2005. She studied at the Academic Lyceum of Karshi Engineering-Economics Institute from 2021 to 2023. Currently, she is a third-year student at Kattakurgan State Pedagogical Institute, majoring in Economics (Sectors and Industries). During her studies, Feruza A’zamova has been recognized as a hardworking and motivated student. She has a good command of English and achieved an IELTS score of 6.5. In addition, she holds more than 50 international certificates.

Michael Adedotun Oke is a distinguished Nigerian agricultural extension specialist and development practitioner with over 20 years of experience in rural empowerment. Based in Abuja, he serves as the Chief Agricultural Superintendent at the Federal Capital Territory Agricultural Development Programme (FCT-ADP), where he provides vital technical advice and inputs to grassroots farmers. Founder and Executive Director of the Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation (MAOF), he bridges the gap between policy and practice, focusing on climate-smart agriculture, food security, and sustainable livelihoods.

Peter is an addiction professional and mental health consultant with 20 years of experience in the prevention, treatment, and recovery of clients with substance use/mental disorders. An Internationally Certified Addiction and Mental Health Professional, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Counselling, Master of Science in Social Work and Doctorate in Medical and Public Health. He is the Executive Director of Sound Mind Initiative, a training provider for the Drug Advisory Plan (DAP). He has trained over 550 students in and outside of Nigeria.

Dr. Carl Abelardo T. Antonio is Professor of Health Administration at the University of the Philippines Manila, and Chair of the Public Health Ethics Committee of the Department of Health, Republic of the Philippines. His interest includes public health management, infectious diseases, mental health conditions, public health ethics, and health research ethics. He completed his medical and public health degrees from the University of the Philippines Manila, and his PhD from the Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr.

Charisma Dixon has 20 years of experience in Special Education and Mental Health, and is a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and Certified Substance Abuse Counselor. She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education and specializes in trauma-informed care. As the founder of Crown & Fox LLC, she bridges the gap between clinical behavioral health and somatic healing. Charisma is a certified yoga instructor specializing in trauma-sensitive modalities, incorporating Solfeggio frequencies and breathwork to support neuroplasticity and emotional regulation in recovery.

Angela Elizabeth Bekederemo is an Addiction Specialist working with KARIS Family Development Initiative. She is a registered ISSUP International and Nigeria Member, with professional experience in alcohol and other drug use prevention, treatment, and strengthening recovery systems. She is actively involved in civil society advocacy on alcohol policy reform in Nigeria and contributes to multi-sectoral initiatives addressing substance use, child protection, and public health.

Refilwe Precious Jeremiah, MSW, Ph.D., is currently a senior lecturer with the University of Botswana, Social Work Department. She is a highly dedicated and results-oriented clinical social worker and addiction specialist with extensive experience in designing, implementing, and evaluating social welfare programmes, leveraging advanced social work skills, education, and research. Dr.

Rutto Kolem is a youth leader & community development practitioner from Kenya and the Founder of the Tiaty Youth Development Association (TYDA), a grassroots community-based organization working in Baringo County. He is actively involved in youth empowerment substance use prevention peer counselling, and psychosocial support programs targeting vulnerable young people in pastoralist communities.

Dr. Wisdom Selekekeme Krokeyi is an academic, researcher, and development-oriented scholar with expertise in Economics and related socio-economic studies. He is actively engaged in teaching, research, and policy discussions that focus on economic development, industrialisation, employment creation, macroeconomic policy, and substance use prevention. Dr.

Mr. Samuel Kwakye is the Mental Health Coordinator for Ga East Municipality and serves as an adjunct lecturer at Health Concern Ghana.  He holds an MPhil in Nursing from the University of Ghana, Legon, a BSc in Nursing from Central University and a Diploma in Mental Health Nursing (Distinction). He is also a trained lay counsellor specializing in marriage, family life, and sex therapy.

I am Ibrahim Babangida Lawal, the Chief Executive officer of Digital Data Clinic. A Nigerian Statistician from Katsina State currently serving as an expatriate with the Prevention of Drugs and rehabilitation agency in the Republic of Seychelles.  With a B.Sc. in Statistics from the University of Abuja and an M.Sc. in view, I bring rigorous quantitative expertise to public health and drug demand reduction initiatives as a member of ISSUP.

Brian Maila, BScHB, MBChB, MMED (Psychiatry), MSc (Addiction Studies), is a psychiatrist and PhD student in the SDSU–UC San Diego Joint Doctoral Program in Interdisciplinary Research on Substance Use.

Jane Ngima Muthiga is an educationist who initiated Elimu TV Kenya, an educational channel providing Secondary School Education and other educational programs. The channel also provides a platform for students, parents, teachers and lecturers to interact on education matters. Ms.Muthiga is also the Secretary of the Digital Broadcasters Association, and founder of the Dr Joe Murikuki Foundation. Dr. Joe Murikuki was the former Organizing Secretary for the Agano Political Party in Kenya.

Health Economist and Health Financing Specialist; Policy, Strategy and Planning Manager, Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC).

Dr. Mutuku holds a Doctorate in Economics and has over 15 years of experience in health financing, project management, and econometric analysis, with a focus on HIV and health systems strengthening.

Ejikeme McBishops Ogueji is a substance use prevention practitioner advancing youth-centred and community-based prevention initiatives across Sub-Saharan Africa. His work focuses on strengthening prevention capacity, youth mentorship, and early risk identification in vulnerable communities, working at the intersection of prevention practice, youth development, and community-based prevention research.

Atoyebi Olubunmi Ayotola holds a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from the Faculty of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Administration, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a B.Sc. in Political Science from the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. She is the founder of AOATALK Community Health and Women Initiative, Nigeria, and a member of the Women Alliance Network for Transformation, Emancipation and Education Nigeria (WANTEE Nigeria).

Justus Otieno is a dedicated Pharmaceutical Technologist with over 15 years of professional experience in healthcare service delivery. He currently serves the Methadone Assisted Therapy (MAT) clinic in Shimo La Tewa Prison, where he specializes in the dispensing and management of methadone treatment for clients with opioid use disorder. Justus holds a degree in Community Health, which has strengthened his commitment to delivering patient-centered care and promoting preventive health strategies within vulnerable populations.

Brinda is a mental health practitioner, interventionist and early-career researcher, trained in clinical psychology and working for over four years with the Addictions & Related Research Group at Sangath, a leading mental health research organisation in India.Her research and clinical interests span the integration of sports and mental health, the use of participatory and creative methods in intervention development, and innovations in culturally informed approaches to addressing youth mental health and substance use concerns.

Rosita Dewi Eka Renel is an addiction counselor and civil servant at the National Narcotics Board of the Republic of Indonesia (BNN), working in a rehabilitation center providing both inpatient and outpatient services for substance use disorders. Her experience spans clinical practice, program coordination, and service development, with a focus on people in vulnerable situations, including children, adolescents, and women. Her work centers on strengthening organizational resilience in drug rehabilitation systems, particularly in crisis contexts.

S.M. Abdullah Al Reza is a public health professional, harm reduction advocate, and a person in long-term recovery living with HIV from Bangladesh. He currently serves as Program Manager at Ashokta Punarbashan Sangstha (APOSH) under the Global Fund-supported project. With over 20 years of progressive experience in HIV prevention, harm reduction, and key population (KP) programming, he has worked extensively with people who inject drugs (PWID), sex workers, and other marginalized communities.

Roghat Falme Robart is a mental health advocate and community leader from Tanzania, dedicated to promoting youth mental health and preventing substance use. He founded Akili Platform Tanzania, leading grassroots initiatives that focus on mental health awareness, peer education, and stigma reduction, reaching thousands of young people across regions including Tabora. His work emphasizes culturally responsive, community-driven approaches that uphold human rights and empower communities to address mental health and substance use challenges.

Joseph Jusu Rogers, RN, BSN, is a Registered Nurse and addiction professional based in Monrovia, Liberia. He currently serves as the Officer-In-Charge at the National Rehabilitation Center for Drug and War-Affected Persons, where he oversees inpatient rehabilitation services for individuals affected by substance use disorders and related health conditions. With clinical experience in addiction treatment, nursing care, and recovery support, he works closely with multidisciplinary teams to promote evidence-informed treatment and reintegration of clients into society.

Tim is an experienced academic, educator and freelance consultant specialising in the law, social sciences and professional practice training landscape. With 25 years’ experience spanning the probation service, police, charity sector and academia, Tim combines real life experiences and stories with academic research to inspire and develop practitioners working in front line roles to better understand the people they seek to support.

Shabani Miraji Shabani is a Social Psychologist and Prevention Specialist at the Drug Control and Enforcement Authority (DCEA) under the Prime Minister’s Office of Tanzania. He holds a Bachelor of Education in Psychology from the University of Dar es Salaam and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Social Psychology. Shabani is a Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) trainer under the Colombo Plan and serves as Youth and Students Leader in the ISSUP Tanzania Chapter.

Abdul-Latif Umar Mohammed holds a BSc in Earth Science from the University for Development Studies. He is a youth development advocate from Yendi in Northern Ghana.