PPM: Can we meet you Ma?
Adekemi Olaniyi: I’m Adekemi Adetuwo – Olaniyi from Ode-Irele in Irele Local Government Area. I had my primary and secondary school education here in Lagos State. My tertiary education at Ondo State Polytechnic, Owo, now Rufus Giwa Polytechnic. Immediately after my National Diploma (ND), I proceeded to University of Lagos,(UNILAG), Akoka where I obtained a B.A in Philosophy at the Faculty of Arts. Having completed my degree program, l was posted to Lokoja, Kogi State for National Youth Service. My immense contribution to the Community Development Service (CDS) in the State then, earned me Local Government Recognition Award and State Merit Award which made me the second best corps member of the year. After my NYSC, I worked in several places, including the banking sector,at the same time, I found myself doing lot of things such as assisting people with the little cash with me. I am privileged to be PACFaH Secretary for Lagos. PACFaH- Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health and also a member of the Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Non Governmental organizations in Nigeria (AONN).
PACFaH is a body working with group of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) etc. As part of the PSN- PACFaH we work to support the Government to #End Pneumonia and #EndDiarrhoea in Nigeria, and the group is advocating for the use of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS in the management of Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea respectively to put an end to the killer diseases in Lagos State. HIV/AIDs is not the only killer disease as believed by many, there are other more dangerous diseases such as Pneumonia and Diarrhoea if not well taken care of.
PACFaH stands for “Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health”. The PACFaH project is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to address key Child and Family health issues in Nigeria and also to build the capacity of indigenous CSOs/NGOs.
I am part of the PSN-PACFaH component of the PACFAH project. We at PSN-PACFAH work to support the Government to #End Pneumonia and #EndDiarrhoea in Nigeria, and the group is advocating for the use of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS in the management of Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea respectively to put an end to the killer diseases in Lagos state.
AONN: Association of Orphans and Vulnerable Children Non-Governmental Organizations of Nigeria. The network is a non -governmental organization in Nigeria with the headquarters in Abuja and State offices in the 36+1 States of Nigeria.
I am part of this network, a registered member of AONN network and also privilege to be an executive member of the network.
We are working to improve the quality of life of the vulnerable children in Nigeria by creating awareness, promoting proper quality service, care and support for orphans and vulnerable children with the goal to improve the quality for OVC in Nigeria.
PPM: Please tell us more about Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) and what inspired you to start it
Adekemi Adetuwo – Olaniyi: Whoa, that’s a wonderful organization: Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) is a Non- Governmental and non-profit making Organization. It is a registered organization with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and also registered with Lagos State Government, Alausa.
Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) is trying her best in the society and state. The following are usually carried out by Luciano. Viz:
LGDI is working to improve the quality of life of LGDI children in many ways. By clothing , feeding and putting Orphans and Vulnerable Children that are meant to be in schools who are not in school.
usually give mentorship to student in various schools on Leadership, Motivation, delegation & communication; Psychosocial support and educational talk to our Orphans and Vulnerable Children ; by assisting the less privilege ( lot has been done), for instance, a mother and child that was rescued in conjunction with Lagos State Government.
Our commitment in assisting the less privilege / Vulnerable Children in our locality has graciously earned us some recognition from Local Government and Lagos State Ministry of Youth & Social Development.
LGDI is an organization with the vision: ‘To create a world of positive social change for all”. Our mission is “to inspire, empower, deliver value to socially -excluded through advocacy, capacity building, collaboration, networking, psycho-social support, sensitization for a healthier society
Some of our objectives are:
1) To render assistance to the less privilege in terms of welfare and standard education.
2) To assist in giving scholarships to students in order to further their education.
3) To reduce maternal and infant mortality rate by providing basic health education and access to health facilities to the disadvantage segments of developing communities.
4) To provide value re- orientation for youth
Luciano Global Development Initiative being a nonprofit making organization has the passion to raise, nurture and support vulnerable children in our society because of the consequences of their being neglected. A neglected child will turn to destitution, prostitution, drug addict, human trafficking, begging, armed robbery, kidnapping as a preferred alternative for survival.
“What actually inspired me?’
Well, each time I come across people in need, it always makes me feel unhappy and am always very eager and happy to render assistance to the person. Before the person leaves, l am already taking steps to render help, so I feel it is inbuilt, it’s in me and each time l render assistant to people out there am always fulfilled except for times that resources are not available to help or execute a project. I saw myself doing this anytime I discover someone out there needs help. I LOVE PUTTING SMILE INTO PEOPLE’S FACES. Like I said earlier, during my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) 2004/2005 in 2005 I executed more than eight (8) projects in Kotonkarfe community, Lokoja.
Like I said,it is in me to render assistant to people in need. The journey started in 2005 when it was three months to pass out as a corper. My primary assignment was in DMMM – Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Nursery and Primary School where I taught primary 3. As I thought of what to do for the community, one day, I was discussing with my Zonal Coordinator – Mr. Abegunde Olabode of what to do for the community and part of the subjects I taught my students then was Computer and I discovered they could not identify how it looked. I then decided to get them computer with the support of the community friendly people etc. The following day the encouragement and support was so high that I then extended the project from one (computer set) to ten (10) projects.
One of the subjects I taught then was computer science and I had to look round but no computer was there. No computer to show these children, no mouse and monitor. So I had to tell them to inform people around them of the need to have the computer in the school.
In the school there were orphans and vulnerable ones among them. I told the students then that, “You have to go back home and tell your parents, guidance and the community that corper K’ would like to get computer set for them and that I need their support, because I don’t have money”. So my children went home and came back the following day to school and said, “Oh, Aunty, our daddy, mummy and uncle said they would support you”. I said, okay and so I added other nine things to the project again. I looked at the surrounding and I felt those things that were needed in the vicinity should be added. At the end of it all I was able to give them a complete set of community computer set ; provision of Nigeria flags; provision of School flags; construction of Library; chairs for Library; shelves; tables for the library; books; provision of school sport materials; educational charts; construction of school logo with school name inscribed on it.
In the course of sourcing for help, in fact there was a period when I was searching for money to carry out the project, I was actually looking out for N700, 000.00 plus then, so I went to a place, the secretary initially approved N80, 000.00 for me, but one of their officials interrupted our discussion and said “who is this? Corper, what do you need?” The secretary had to explain to him. So after the explanation the man said, “See her, very fine, she will carry your money and run away. All these Lagos corpers’’ That day I looked at myself and said ,‘God!’ Eyan buruku ti ba eyan rere je” according to Yoruba adage. I looked at myself and I said “Me? I cannot do such. I am a reputable and responsible person”. So at the end they slashed it, and gave out N40, 000.00 and it was well appreciated by me.
During construction of the school logo the same people were asking me what I was constructing, and I said wait and see, after all you said I would use the money for personal needs.I actually got money needed and the projects were executed. Some of my co- corps member kept on advising me to slash the money and execute a small project and pocket the remaining money but I said “NO, I would definitely take this project up to the standard I want to take it to.”
One thing about me is that whatever project I am or want to execute, I usually direct my budgeted money for it. l don’t divert. I definitely collected the money for that project and deposited it in the bank immediately. When it was time to execute the project, I gathered the money and then executed it. In fact there was a day, I went to a particular place, the man was working on a building construction I then introduced myself as a Corper and also told him that I was doing a project for the community which in turn he responded, “how can I be of help? And that he cannot benefit from this thing you are doing.” I said, “Even me, I came all the way from Lagos and doing this project for this community so I feel honoured to impact into the lives of these children, so if you do it one way or the other, you will gain it”.After all said and done, do you believe that the man said, he didn’t have money but at the end of the day, he went inside and brought a fat envelope. I was even thinking it was 2,000.00 naira worth that was there but when I collected it, I concluded that, at worst it would be 3,000.00 naira. I collected with joy. I was so happy, thanked him and said, “thank you sir and God bless you”. lf you see the kind of prayers I was praying for the man, I never knew what was inside. I went straight to the bank. I was calculating, counting but I couldn’t finish counting after I finished counting behold it was N40,000.00 naira. You see I just feel a little drop can do something. So it’s better for us to assist. LGDI cannot do it alone.We will need people around us. When these things come, passion will definitely do it, we (LGDI) would do it; I am glad willing and able, ln fact I am ready to do the work at any time, and I am enjoying what l am doing. Be assured that “LGDI” is a reputable organization that will never disappoint. We would definitely do whatever we plan to do with joy.
The State Governor 2005 who is ably represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sport; my Resident Inspector (R.I) now called Local Inspector the person of able Mr. Abegunde Olabode, my Z.I. – Lokoja Zonal Inspector , Mr. Sunday O. Olaiya who represented the State Director of NYSC then now called State Coordinator the person of. Elder Kolawole Falase etc, my co- corps members, the students , community ‘s words of appreciation and encouragement actually energized and uplifted the spirit because of the acceptance in the community, and also the way they embraced the projects at the end .
PPM: you are a woman with a very good heart, where do you get your inspirations from?
Adekemi Adetuwo -Olaniyi: Inspiration is inbuilt but I can attribute it to my husband and my family both maternal and paternal. Just like some of the children I taught when they were in primary three then, when you go back through time, it would be about 12years ago .I am talking as far back as 2005; they still call for advice till today. ln fact when I left them the following year; they kept on calling. Whenever I call them, they would say, ‘‘ drop, I would call you back” I would say “ look at these small small children (laughs). Believe me they would call me back, at times they would send 100 naira recharge card to me. Then I had registered Luciano but doing the work in bits. It was still crawling but at least I don’t know what I have impacted into them(children); but I just feel these things must be done. In fact I received a message last week, saying Mummy, send us pictures and more numbers to enable us reach out to you; do you think hearing your voice or seeing your picture can do it. We love you”, those things you taught then still linger in our brain and we still make use of them. They were telling me to come to Lokoja, that when I come,I would now see whether the president or myself is not equal; can you imagine that? (Laughs) and I felt is it because of the National flag, school flag, or logo I constructed for them; is it the library or is it me? I said “please don’t call me again” and they said “we can NEVER forget you, what you have impacted into us, what we are using and as we keep on moving with it, we are seeing the value in what you have taught us, we can never leave you and I said “ok”. Those are the things that really efforts in it. And I’m putting the little that comes into my pocket; I extend back into the society.
PPM: If you had 100 million naira, what would you do with it?
Adekemi Adetuwo -Olaniyi: Oh! My children will come first especially how to better their lives, ‘’Luciano’s children”. I want to see them distinct, the first thing that would come to my mind, is how I will build Luciano’s Home. Secondly how to have vocational school, because many finish school and try to look for white collar job. lnstead of them waiting, the skill acquired will be used, they graduated and proceeded for their national service, after that; they stand there; looking for jobs. What for? It doesn’t worth it. You see a graduate doing bus conductor; selling pure water and doing those menial jobs out there. But ‘’Luciano’s children” I want to bring them up in a way such that before they finish their secondary school or even their university education, they would have gotten something and when they attain these things; all these vocation skill. When they learn it, at the end of the day,when they come out and no job, they fall back to what they have leant. It will keep them moving; that one will be there by the special grace of God. By the time we do some other ones that one can inculcate into it. I’m sure my children will be very happy. Yes! Already, the little that we are giving them, they are very happy with it.
Thirdly, we look out for expansion especially in the North and South East, to assist in giving education through the traditional leaders because of the belief they have in their leaders. Also in South- East: to educate them on the need to cherish female child in the society. I pray that God will bless all those that have been assisting us one way or the other, as God is blessing their purses, they will be blessing us too.
PPM: How can people support your project?
Adekemi Adetuwo -Olaniyi: Well, people can support our project by reaching out to Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) through our phone numbers 08034713144, 08187129012,08060031826 or 0818785477 also we have an account with Fidelity bank; Account name: Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) Account no: 6060177460 or whichever way they feel they can reach us. Our office is situated at 110, Ekoro Road by W.J Pure water , Agbelekale , Ishaga bus Stop Abule Egba Lagos State.
People come to celebrate with our children; when they want to give us gifts or money, people call it “ widow’s mite” but I don’t think its widow’s mite, yes, if you give us 5 Naira today, I will see what to do with it because they are people out there that are looking for it. In fact, I have families with children living in one room without chairs, foams, mat, just nothing.No food and other families of seven in a room without bed, mat and nothing. We need to reach out to these people. I can’t do it alone please I need your help to put smiles on these people’s faces.
PPM: Do you have any productivity habits you would like to share with our esteemed readers?
Adekemi Adetuwo – Olaniyi: ‘’Good values bring good products.” Character is like a flame! When papers are burnt and covered with basket, there is no way it will not struggle and bring out flames.”
What we do is that, we have a year plan, check over it monthly and weekly, during prayer every day we come to office as we get there, we look at it deliberate on individual assigned to do the job or if it is an individual that is supposed to follow up or a collective one then we look at it together; we always prepared ahead of time.
When we resume work after thanking God for a new day and praying; our mission statement and vision would be read on a rotational bases,to keep us abreast of what we are doing and whom we are, so that we don’t live outside our mission and vision in order to carry out the good work in our society.
PPM: Recently you were featured on a TV programme and you discussed the topic “Social responsibility to the less privileged’’ Can you throw more light on this ma?
Adekemi Adetuwo – Olaniyi: Social Responsibility is an act of impacting positively into the welfare of the less privilege or the vulnerable children. The aim of this is to alleviate poverty and in order to achieve this, you must be tolerant, must be humble, you must respect others’ opinion, you must be ready to give out, you must not be a lover of money, and not a negative talker. They have their own effect; when somebody comes to you, saying something that is relevant and the other person just jumps in saying what is irrelevant to what you are saying, there is sense in it. When you think deeply, we have to respect their opinions too, and the way we talk to them really matters a lot; you don’t just talk to them anyhow because they look tattered. No!
‘Social responsibility: The aim is to alleviate poverty; It removes inferiority complex. Just like what I said concerning the family of seven who stays in one room without anything, the very first day I got there discussing with them, if you see the way they were looking at me, I looked at myself, I said, “I would overcome” because I love putting smiles on people’s faces. Vulnerable one and the less privileged ones ;they are eligible members in the society and they deserve their equal rights and sense of belongings, because when we are talking about the less privilege ,we are talking about those who cannot attain to the normal standard of living; those are the less privileged. They deserve our right and our sense of belonging. In anything we do, you don’t say this person is physically challenged, and then you will not employ him or her. We have to check it and balance it all.
PPM: What is that quote that inspired you?
ADEKEMI ADETUWO – OLANIYI: The quote is “Me” Luciano itself. Because I see myself doing it though, in the course of my journey, when I was doing this work. I came across Blessed Mother Theresa’s quote: who says: “We ourselves feel that what we do is just like a drop but the ocean will be less because of the missing drop” The drop in the ocean will be less without missing drop; If it is twenty naira you are able to give to Luciano, don’t say it is too small” because by the time you give twenty naira, the other person gives twenty naira and also another gives 20Naira totaling sixty naira. That sixty naira will buy one exercise book. A child that does not have an exercise book, one can now say “my daughter, take this exercise book.” In fact the child would be very happy. “Whatever you want to do, let do it, we should not feel it is too small, we should contribute our quota so that we can make some one BETTER, someone HAPPY. No matter how little the cash may be it will go a long way when it get to us and when we check our wardrobe ,we will discover that “clothes” we have not wore for a long time are there. What are we talking about? By the time we take one of it and give out, you have made someone happy.
