Crystal Chigbu

Crystal Chigbu is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and a development consultant. She founded IREDE Foundation[1] after her daughter was born without a shinbone.[2] Her foundation provides prosthetics and other walking aids to children 18 and under. Through her foundation, Crystal has provided over 120 prosthetic limbs[3] to over 82 children across 17 states in Nigeria.[4][5][6][7][8]

Crystal Chigbu
Born
Epe, Lagos State
NationalityNigerian
EducationGraduate of Biochemistry
Alma materUniversity of Lagos
Occupation(s)Social Entrepreneur and Activist
OrganizationThe IREDE Foundation
SpouseZubby Chigbu
Children2
AwardsLife Transformation Award from Wise Women Awards.

The Ebony Life TV sponsored Sisterhood Award for Philanthropist of the year (2014).

The Naija Diamonds Award (2014) sponsored by Diamond Bank

Education and Career

She is a graduate of University of Lagos with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry.[9][10][11] Crystal is a member of the Business and Professional Women of Nigeria, a member of the Nigerian Network of NGOs, and a graduate of the Pan African University's Enterprise Development Centre. She is a graduate of the Acumen fellowship program.[1]

Personal life

Crystal hails from Epe in Lagos state and married to Zubby Chigbu and they have two children together.[7] Crystal Chigbu's daughter was born without a tibia and a knee cap. As a result, Crystal and her husband labored nonstop to find a solution. Getting their daughter an artificial limb was the smartest idea they'd ever done, and it was from there that the desire to aid other children, particularly those who couldn't afford one, arose.[12]

Crystal and IREDE Foundation

Crystal founded after working for 12 years as a sales and marketing manager for Procter and Gamble.[1] The IREDE Foundation to advocate for young amputees and children with limb disorders, as well as to work closely with specialists and the community to ensure that they are self-sufficient. The foundation seeks to accomplish this by providing prosthetic and orthodontic devices to underprivileged youngsters (ages 2 to 18).[13] It also encourages children and their parents through support groups and helps them reintegrate into the school system following their recovery.[14][3] The Foundation started precisely 23 August 2012, but the plan began in June 2012.[10]

Awards and recognition

Crystal Chigbu has received several awards for her work including the Life Transformation Award from Wise Women Awards.,[15] The Ebony Life TV sponsored Sisterhood Award for Philanthropist of the year (2014) and the Naija Diamonds Award (2014) sponsored by Diamond Bank.[1][16] She has also been nominated for HNWOTY special award.[17]

References
  1. "Crystal Chigbu". The Irede Foundation. 2019-07-19. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  2. "Crystal Chigbu, the Nigerian woman helping amputee children walk again". Face2Face Africa. 2019-10-11. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  3. "Making prosthetic limbs for Nigerian children". BBC News. Retrieved 2021-06-05.
  4. "Making prosthetic limbs for Nigerian children". Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  5. Kiunguyu, Kylie (2019-08-14). "Meet Crystal Chigbu the Nigerian mother de-stigmatizing disability". This is africa. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  6. "Meet the Acumen Fellows". Acumen. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  7. Aisha Salaudeen and Earl Nurse. "This woman is helping disabled children walk for the first time". CNN. Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  8. "Glo/CNN African Voices showcases Nigerian prosthetics maker, hearing aid technician". The Sun Nigeria. 2021-06-26. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  9. "Glo-sponsored African Voices features Nigerian artificial limbs maker | Pulse Nigeria". www.pulse.ng. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  10. "My daughter's amputation spurred me into voluntary service - Crystal Chigbu". Vanguard News. 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  11. "Crystal Chigbu is a Nigerian social entrepreneur, a Development Con". Refined NG. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  12. "Here's a Nigerian Helping Kids With Disabilities Walk Again". AfricaOTR. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  13. "Crystal Chigbu Archives". Women of Rubies. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  14. Kiunguyu, Kylie (2019-08-14). "Meet Crystal Chigbu the Nigerian mother de-stigmatizing disability". This is africa. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  15. "MRS. CRYSTAL CHIGBU". Wise Women Awards - Nigeria. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
  16. "Crystal Chigbu". Retrieved 2020-10-02.
  17. "Lost In Lagos". www.lostinlagos.com. Retrieved 2021-06-27.
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