NIGERIANS ARE THE BEST --------ADEBANJO OLUWASEYI HALIMAH

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADEBANJO OLUWASEYI HALIMA, 200LEVEL LAW, UNIVERSITY OF ILORIN
    

INTRODUCTION

Adebanjo Oluwaseyi Halima is the founder of the organization called SEND A GIRL TO SCHOOL. She’s also the recipient winner of Youth Advocate of the year Award (2013) in Nigeria and also the Nigeria representative at the Global Change makers Youth Summit in United Kingdom. She also doubles as a life member of Global Changemakers UK and also a volunteer at the British council, United Kingdom. A 200level Law Student of Faculty of Law, University of Ilorin.    

   

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

Am Adebanjo Oluwaseyi , 200l law, University of Ilorin

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR ADVENTURE IN RUNNING A NON GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION AT THIS TENDER AGE OF YOURS?

I must say it has been very challenging because in Nigeria NGO is not something people love, most people don’t believe in sponsoring or supporting Non - governmental organization, especially when it comes to an NGO that is gender sensitive. Apart from sponsors, the youths are not left out. The youths of today are not ready to spend their time advocating for the right of others. Most of them believe that it is a waste of time since they would not get payment in return of their service to humanity. Running an NGO is all about interest. My biggest challenge is not sponsorship but getting more youths to work with me. It is a collective responsibility that makes change occurs in a society. The adventure has been interesting because it has opened so many opportunities for me. I have work with big personalities, organizations and got several awards on this platform. I also met like minded youths across other countries.

YOUR GIRL CHILD ADVOCACY CAMPAIGN IS A PRODUCT OF WHAT?

My campaign is very easy to identify from the name of my NGO. The name of my organization is SEND A GIRL TO SCHOOL. It is a product of passion and change that I desire since my secondary school days. It is a body championing a course that is set towards a better life for the female children. A girl child must be educated. I made this decision after I visited some communities in Nigeria and I discovered that the ratio of girl child to that have boy that are been sent to school is just 20 to 80. This should not be so because every child has a right to education and it must not be limited to anyone. In the course of my advocacy I realized that ignorance and poverty are the main reasons why this is happening. When a problem is identified, it is half solved and part of the solution is a product of my NGO.

WOULD I BE RIGHT TO SAY THAT YOU ARE A FEMINIST?

Yes, you are right. I am a feminist. As a feminist I believe in equal treatment for all. A female child deserves to be treated equally as a male child. A female child has social, economic and political rights like a male child has. I belong to the school of thought that everyone should be treated equally. 

HOW CAN YOU DESCRIBE GIRL CHILD ADVOCACY IN OTHER COUNTRIES TO THAT OF NIGERIA

Basically the Girl Child initiative in Nigeria is totally different from other countries though both campaigns are tailored towards achieving the same feat. Since my three years on this journey of advocacy, I have realized a whole lot of things. There is always an established institution in other developed countries that looks into issues like this but in Nigeria few Ngos making this campaign barely last for five years.  Through my research, I discovered that only very few people are inspired and motivated to join in fighting for the right of a girl child. Nobody is ready for selfless service either by making a case for a girl child or sponsoring the girl child campaign. This is not obtainable in other countries. An average American teenager is ready to fight against violations not for the pay but for peace and equality to reign in the society.

The government of the day in other countries are ready to support and promote initiatives that are geared towards stopping or eradicating inequality and violation of the girl child right. Examples of such organization that have government support in other countries include ‘Change and react’ which was founded by teenagers and supported by establishment like Nike foundation, British Council etc. 

YOU WON AN AWARD RECENTLY ON YOUR GIRL – CHILD INITIATIVE IN NIGERIA. HOW WAS IT LIKE?

That award was given to me by an NGO initiative as the Youth Advocate of the year. Twenty six youths were nominated initially for the award but I thank God today I became the recipient of the award in Nigeria. I never believed it when I was declared as the final winner. It’s not like I was the best but it’s all God’s favour though I know I have been trying my best to a large extent in advocating on the Girl child’s right and I pray God would continue to strengthen me the more. The award actually opened so many other opportunities and made me got sponsors for my project. God has been wonderful to me.

YOU’VE LEFT THE SHORES OF THIS COUNTRY TO FAR AWAY UNITED KINGDOM TO REPRESENT NIGERIA YOUTHS ON THIS GIRL CHILD’S RIGHT CAMPAIGN. HOW WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?

Two of us were chosen to represent Nigeria in United Kingdom for the Global Changemakers Youth Summit. I must say it was an amazing experience. It is the peak so far in my campaign opportunities. I met different people of my age with like minds. I got to know new things, new ideas and how I could make improvements in my country. I made my project known to the world through that medium and I was able to get people to join my organization. I have international members working with me on my project. I never wasted the opportunity I had and as Nigerian I believe we are good at that. We are the best.

I went on a visit to the British council headquarters, where we all dine and wine with top executives and ambassadors from different countries including our country ambassador. I also delivered a speech and I was able to talk to the conscience of people on the need why everyone must advocate on a Girl child’s right. Here, I was given grants and I was inducted as a life member of Global Changemakers UK and also a volunteer at the British council.

I also had the privilege to visit several Ngos founded by youths of my age. It was a life changing experience. I gained a lot of ideas which I have started putting into place in Nigeria. Though it is not an easy task and it’s a very long process but I know at the end of the day my aim would be achieved.