By BIanca Iboma-Emefu
For Olasumbomi Iginla-Aina, having steered the ship of Light-Up Foundation, a Non-Profit Organization for about two decades, it is no surprise that she was inducted into the Global NGO Executive Committee, (GNEC) as a Director. In that capacity, Olasumbom’s duty which is, to project and create awareness on UN convention of the rights of a child has been remarkably successful.
Iginla Aina had also been honoured by her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth 11 for her humanitarian work with young people and the disadvantaged in the UK and Africa, albeit Nigeria.
Recently, she further pushed her humanitarian efforts into focus when she began to assist Nigerians and Africans trapped in the boarder countries of Ukraine.
Olasumbomi Iginla-Aina spoke to Daily Sun recently.
What informed your decision to embark on such mission considering the risks involved?
In view of the recent Ukraine crisis, I commenced an independent tour to European nations that share border with Ukraine. The reason for this is to ensure that refugees of colour receive the necessary support they require, to help identify their needs and see how these needs can be met as a matter of urgency.
I decided to embark on the journey because I was troubled about the aftermath of the war. When I got to Poland, I saw some Nigerian students who were trapped. I was able to render some assistance with collaborated effort. I was there when the Nigerian government did the first evacuation. More Nigerians were trapped so we had to provide counseling, food and shelter. Some of the victims were traumatized and depressed.
The students’ documents were forcefully taken and we were asked to seek asylum. I swung action and was able to achieve success.
We engaged some advocacy it was after our advocacy, four passports seized from the students were released. Also, we were able to rescue a pregnant woman with a toddler who fled and gave birth amiss the crisis.
What was the situation like for black (or Nigerian) refugees during your tour?
I actually perceived the situation more as survival instincts rather than racism, although, I stand to be corrected. Here is my reason: Ukrainian men stay at home to fight a war while many of their wives and children exit the country. Most foreigners, male and female, were on the run, then, at the train station, which is fully loaded with anxious people and families. Everyone on the platform is making desperate efforts to get on the train at the same time.
The Ukrainian soldiers, at first, allowed the Ukrainian women and their children into the train, as well as some of their men, pulling foreigners out of the train. The foreigners protested against this. However, if you were in their shoes, what would you do? Bearing in mind that most of their own men had to stay behind to defend their nation, while most of the foreigners were on the run.
But what were some of the things you didn’t like?
The only thing I frowned against was the use of violence; and again, this is not a straightforward case because no one would want to leave the train in such a dire situation.
My experience in Germany is one that I feel the need to clarify. Most of our black refugees were asked to sign that they were seeking asylum. Some said they were bullied and manipulated into signing a document written in German Language.
Many of them didn’t know what they were signing. Some got home to discover that they had just signed to seek asylum which was not in their best interest because their home country is not at war. Such an application was highly unlikely to be approved because they had an option to go back to their home country.
I was quite disappointed to hear this, the young people were not duly informed on the various options they had, so they all became agitated. I immediately requested that they set up a WhatsApp group where we could all be communicating important information. I also got the contact of Prince Adeleke Adewuyi, a very knowledgeable resident of Germany. He had worked with the German Foreign Office before. So I invited him to provide necessary information for the youths and guide them on the best option.
Another set of refugees complained bitterly on how their International passport and Ukraine resident permit had been taken from them by the German Police. These set of youths were restricted by this singular action. They couldn’t seek school admission, because they had nothing to show the school they are applying to. For refugees who had their Ukrainian papers, transportation was free within Europe on train and by bus; all you needed to do was to show your Ukrainian documents.
Unfortunately, they had to pay for their transportation because there was no document to show at the train/bus stations. It was indeed a sorry case for these stranded youths. So I had to go with them to the various authorities in charge of their care to advocate for their documents to be returned to them. It was a very challenging situation, but thanks to Prince Adewuyi, who was always there to translate for us.
After a number of meetings, the German officials acknowledged that it was wrong for the Police to have collected the refugees’ papers and they promised that all these documents would be sent to them. This solidarity tour commenced from Poland to Slovakia and from Slovakia to Hungary, then Germany and to Romania.
Let’s have a brief insight about yourself and journey into humanitarian deeds?
I am a Nigerian based in the United Kingdom but highly passionate about Nigeria. I began my social work right here in Nigeria as a young adult before I went abroad.
I have always wanted to impact society, contribute to it’s development, especially with the youths and the disadvantaged people around me. Since it was an interest, I quickly connected with young people.
I founded Light Up Foundation while I was acting as the Students’ Union President of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (O.A.U) in 2000. I had a strong passion for youth development, so I decided to contribute my own quota towards the fight against child abuse and the welfare of the less-privileged people in the society.
Over 21 years now, we have been working with young people. Light Up Foundation has executed over 100 projects which has benefited thousands cut across the world. Currently, it is being used to project UN convention of the rights of a child UN as the UNC targets 30 countries of the world under the project.
Light Up Foundation has been involved in many schemes. I embarked on a project, tagged “Bag of Hope” (BOH), and it has already broken a world record, found its place in the Guinness World Record and made an impact in the lives of several thousands of lives across the world. The BOH has found expression in many countries across the world and I am currently touring the BOH with a UN Ambassador.
Some communities in Badagry had children crossing water to get to school and those who could not afford the transportation are left behind. The teenage girls are impregnated while in the community but with the Bag Of Hope project, we were able to build schools for children in the riverine community.
Also, kids wondering in the streets under the pedestrian bridges have been rescued and reunited with their parents. Also, we go to prisons particularly for kids to intervene on their behalf. We have worked with the prisons in Ilorin and Abeokuta.
As the Director of GNEC, how do you intend to deepen impact on humanitarian projects?
Recently, GNEC joined the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organizations (UNESCO) Many radio stations celebrated the World Radio Day and considering the fact that radio is a widely used medium, the GNEC, recently, launched a Podcast series “On the Ground” in order to deepen GNEC impact on humanitarian activities.
At GNEC, we encourage the use of radio for more productive and positive agenda, especially where marginalized communities live and work. We saw the essentials to employ radio where creative, low cost opportunities are in order to promote the SDGs and support human development.
This radio-friendly development will feature interviews with UN DGC associated NGOs across the globe, thereby encouraging those who are making great impact in their various niches to all audience niches worldwide.
Radio continues to be one of the most trusted and accessible media in the World.
What about looming humanitarian crises, how would it be stem and now meet SDGs objective?
GNEC and UN are emphasizing the need for global cooperation between civil society groups and international development partner to combat both existing and future humanitarian crises. In 2021,we had an event, the Civil Society End of year briefing, with the theme: “Engaging Civil Society for enhanced collaboration with United Nations in 2022”. I was among the speakers at the event,
discussions and presentation of various paper were made and on how we can actually collaborate with Civil Society for Global cooperation.
They are also emphatic on the need to tackle headlong, vicissitudes of fortune like climate change, eliminating endemic poverty among others. We need to engage more with international community.
How would Nigeria benefit from the GNEC?
I am already working with a Network of NGOs, in Nigeria, under the SDGs jurisdiction. I won’t hesitate to use any opportunity that I have to work with Nigeria, although it entails working with Global NGO.
A lot of youths with leadership skills do not end up as leaders due to financial constraints. What strategic approach can one apply towards achieving such, regardless of their financial power?
Young people have all the energy to make things happen. Be a change maker. You do not always need money to display your gifts/talents. Be expressive and as the saying goes: “Do not allow anyone to dampen your light because it is shining in their face”. Seek your purpose and when you find it, do not be afraid to start. Just start, any how, anywhere, anytime. There is a pay day for everyone. And do not give up, no matter the trials. I personally face trials virtually every day.
As a student at the University, Obafemi Awolowo University,
I won the Student Union election with just a N100.00. I made use of a strategic strategy, by campaigning creatively.
Would you say you as S. U. G President during your days at the University gave some recommendations for you years later?
I never knew the impact of my brief reign as President until 2018 (17 years after). A UN Ambassador requested for my character reference from my Vice Chancellor (VC). His acting secretary contacted my VC and was shocked about his testimony about me. I was dumbfounded because this was the same VC, I was always at loggerheads with on students’ welfare. We were always fighting for a cause or another every now and then.
When my VC spoke to me on the phone, I wept. He told me that despite the fact that I was always on his case, he saw sincerity in my advocacy. He appreciated my honesty and leadership. I dropped the phone after the discussion to realized that all the while I was dreaming of becoming the President of O.A.U., it was God’s will towards the fulfillment of His purpose. The reinstatement of over ten rusticated students of O.A.U. was as a result of the cumulative efforts of so many students’ union officers before and during my tenure as well as the entire students’ body and many other people within and outside the school authority.