Profile: Chinyere Eni, Landmark Achiever

Chinyere Eni , daughter of Dr. Godwin Eni, a well-known Nigerian-Canadian in British Columbia, Canada, was among the 60,000 Canadians awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal issued in 2012 and delivered by the War Amputations of Canada, the nominator, in February 2013.

The commemorative medal honors significant contributions and achievements by Canadians as nominated by government and partner organizations.

Raised in Vancouver British Columbia, Chinyere (photo) lost her left leg to bone cancer at the hip level at eight years of age while attending the University Hill Elementary School in Vancouver. She is a left leg amputee at the hip level and wears a prosthesis that includes an artificial hip, knee and ankle.

“When I was treated there were 11 kids being treated at the time when I was diagnosed and only two of us survived” she commented.

Most people might consider not having a hip, knee or ankle a major setback. Not Chinyere Eni. She uses a prosthetic leg to get around independently.

Chinyere, whose father, Dr. Eni is an academic and international consultant that has worked in places like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Ukraine and several other countries, has overcome many challenges since her entire left leg was amputated. Over time, her journey, courage and community service in support of research for cancer cure are said to have inspired many Canadians and communities.

For five consecutive years, from 2008 to 2012, Chinyere rode a tricycle with one leg, each of the 5 years, from Toronto to Niagara Falls via Hamilton Ontario, a distance of 200 kilometers as part of the annual “Ride to Conquer Cancer” and raised funds for Cancer Research at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto, and to commemorate family and friends who lost their lives to cancer and specifically to support childhood cancer research. She was determined to undertake such a demanding activity.

Asked how he felt about his daughter’s annual ride for cancer, her father, Dr. Eni, said:

“I tried to dissuade her given the physical challenge associated with such an event and possible medical aftermath. The family had to support her because it came from her mind. I was in Sierra Leone as an Adviser to the Ministry of Health
when she undertook the first event. However, upon my return, the family drove a van behind her in the second year as she rode long distances and climbed Hamilton hills on the way to Niagara Falls. Needless to say the family was choked up with emotion and agonized all the way through but was extremely proud and supportive! I am very proud of her.”

Asked to comment on her ride for cancer cure and overall community volunteer contributions Chinyere said:

“It has been a life changing experience that has been incredibly healing and motivating. Cancer is a challenge that impacts lives well after the disease has passed, the Ride is an opportunity to unite towards a common goal and to support, encourage and empower one another. None of us does it alone and I feel incredibly fortunate to participate.”

Chinyere Eni is the National Director, Aboriginal and Public Sector Markets portfolios of the Royal Bank of Canada with responsibilities for designing, implementing and managing business and tactical plans related to key strategic priorities in support of market growth and financial results for both portfolios.

In 2006, she launched Canada’s first branch and insurance co- location at the Royal Bank of Canada in downtown Toronto. Despite her physical challenge
and many responsibilities, Chinyere found time to volunteer and participate in a fund-raising and challenging “Ride to Conquer Cancer” odyssey to bring attention to cancer cure through research at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto.

The detection of bone cancer in her left leg was an emotional blow to the family. When asked about his experience during Chinyere’s treatment and eventual leg amputation, Dr. Eni said:

“The family pulled together more tightly to deal with the psychological and emotional outcomes of the situation. She missed classes and was often teased by other children and classmates of that age for being an amputee. If anything, my guidance to my children was to believe in themselves, appreciate other people, maintain an open mind, and think positively regardless of others’ opinion and do the right thing always.”

While at the University of British Columbia where she graduated with a degree in Sociology, Chinyere co-founded the “Oasis Student Association” and the “Afro-Canadian Adoption group” in support of families who adopt children of African heritage. Her considerable involvement in volunteerism caught the attention of the Royal Bank of Canada which hired her upon graduation.

Following further training in banking in Vancouver area, she move to Toronto. Over the years, Chinyere has remained involved in supporting young and new amputees through peer counselling and mentorship. Chinyere holds a designation in Financial Planning and an MBA from the University of Toronto Rothman School of Management.

She was an inaugural “DiverseCity Fellow” in Toronto to support city building as part of the Civic Action initiative. Chinyere was one of the Olympic Torch bearers in Toronto for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010. In 2013, Chinyere Eni was recognized for her leadership, courage and determination with a “Woman of Distinction Award” at the second annual International Women Achievers Gala in Mississauga, Ontario. In her acceptance speech she said:

“I consider this quite an honour. I have a supportive family who told me very early that the world was not going to adjust because I have a disability and that I should never use it as an excuse to be treated differently”.

As a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her contributions and achievements, Chinyere has become a role model for young Nigerians and Africans who are courageous and determined to make a difference in society regardless of their circumstances. In February 2010, the Nigerian High Commission in Canada identified her as a “Landmark Achiever” in the publication “The Ottawa Eagle”. In April 2013, she got married and now known as Chinyere Eni-McLean.

Editor’s Note: The Patriotic Vanguard would like to join the Eni family in congratulating Chinyere for her wonderful achievements so far and wish her a very long life and more prestigious accolades in the future.