Interview with Victoria Ibiwoye (Execitive Director - One African Child)

The Young Leaders Council was represented by  Olayinka Joseph Adebajo The Founder and Programmes Director at One Voice Initiative for Women(Emancipation) and Children Empowerment (OVIWCE)

TYLC: Can we meet you ma? Please introduce yourself what you do and what you’re most passionate about.

Victoria Ibiwoye: Hello everyone. Good evening

First I must say that I'm very delighted that a group like this exist for learning. 😊

My name is Victoria Ibiwoye and I am a youth educator and Peace advocate.

Host:

This is quite emotional for as Miss Victoria is my mentor 😊

TYLC: Madam, Can you tell us what ESD is and Your major Landmark achievements in ESD

Victoria Ibiwoye: As you must have seen from my bio, I work with One African Child Foundation for Creative Learning; a youth-led NGO with you goal to spread education for sustainable development in low-income communities in Africa.

Education for sustainable development is about empowering and motivating learners to become active sustainable citizens who are capable of critical thinking and able to participate in shaping a sustainable future.

ESD also aims at developing competencies that empower individuals to reflect on their own actions, taking into account their current and future social, cultural, economic and environmental impacts from a local and global perspective.

TYLC: To those who don’t know what OAC is about....can you do us a brief introduction ma? Also we know OAC is based in Nigeria, please tell us how you got OAC started in Kenya.

Victoria Ibiwoye: One African Child started 4 years ago while I was in law school and I was inspired for so many reasons. One was my struggle with learning because I'm dyslexic. Dyslexia is a general term for disorders that involve difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters, and other symbols, but that do not affect general intelligence.

Also, because I live in a low-income community and I know what it feels like for many exceptional kids not to be able to reach their full potentials because of poverty and other socio-economic factors.

The aim of One African Child is to help children in low-income communities discover their true self-identity through creative learning workshops focused on education for sustainable development and global citizenship.

In 2013, One African Child was founded in Lagos and gradually expanded to other parts of Nigeria

Since four years, there's been tremendous impact and steady growth of One African Child at the community level and with this, we were able to expand to Kenya and Benin-Republic.

Host: Well, i should use this platform to let you know my NGO (One Voice Initiative for Women and Children) has been learning a lot from OAC....  We started our SDG-2 Advocacy inspired by your beautiful NGO        

TYLC: What’s your perception about basic education in Nigeria through the eyes of the students? i.e. what do you think the disposition of students are to their basic education...

Victoria Ibiwoye: I believe that education is what we offer to learners. Students can only produce what they've learnt overtime. For every child, the level of basic education would vary depending on access and quality of learning received.

For some of the students I have worked with, education is about teaching rather than learning. Education should not be one-way but rather a two-way learning process that fosters partnership between learners and their teachers in exchanging different perspectives and knowledge.

Ademiluyi Sunday (Audience)

Nigeria is the headquarters of illiteracy in the world by UNESCO report 29

With 15 million children who can neither read nor write, how has OAC reacted to this?

Victoria Ibiwoye: Majority of our work is centred in low-income communities and we complement the work of the government in ensuring equal access to education by organising after-school lessons for public school children. Our approach to learning is learner-centered, acrion-oriented and transformative. Our training, facilitated by our youth educators, supports self-directed learning, participation and collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. We bring real-world situations into the classroom and we inspire learners to BUILD ideas and projects that addresses some of the challenges they are faced with.

TYLC: What do you think the government has done as regards the advancement of education in Nigeria in the last 6 years? What have they not done?

Victoria Ibiwoye: I think that the curriculum has changed a bit and newer subjects such as Civic Education and Visual Arts have been introduced.

However, there's a wide gap in the delivery of education for sustainable development.

Education should help us think and not tell us what to think. Education impact how we think and act and raise sustainable change-makers. In promoting the SDGs, the Nigerian government need to look more into ways that education can contribute to a new vision for sustainable development.

Host: I must really comment your activities and OAC's on Social media....Twitter is fun and exciting with #OACMasterClass

TYLC: A bit of what the situation is in Kenya as opposed to basic education in Nigeria. (Similarities and perceived difference)

Also in your relationship with educators and students outside Africa, what are the differences in the perspective of students and the educators as regards Education?

Victoria Ibiwoye: In many African countries, we share similar issues such as equitable distribution of quality education. For example, Kenya has one of the largest slums in Africa and this poses a huge problem as more than half of the slum dwellers are children and youth.

One of the ways that we are working to bridge the education gap is by adopting a social rehabilitation center for boys and training them on emotional intelligence, peace and non violence skills as part of our ESD action plan.

Host: Thanks to you, i joined the #TeachSDG family...Other great leaders should also endeavour to Join.

Victoria Ibiwoye:  Other than sharing knowledge, it is far more important to transfer values, skills and attitudes that empower learners to become sustainable leaders.Most especially in African Primary, secondary, tertiary and post tertiary institutions

TYLC: Precisely where do you think the problem and most delicate part of education in the life of anyone is?

Victoria Ibiwoye:  Quality education at every stage of life is both important and necessary. However, early education is very crucial because education molds a child to who they eventually become.

Host: I can feel the energy, passion and drive of our beautiful intelligent Guest

TYLC: Is there a major difference in the education of underprivileged children in rural communities in Africa and other continents?

Who stands a better chance and Why?

Victoria Ibiwoye: The quality of education is every country vary and this is largely influenced by priority. Norway and South Korea are examples of countries that prioritise education and has a result, you will find quality in the education of children living in poor communities. In Nigeria, we can change that narrative but that will also require all stakeholders coming

TYLC: We are aware of the problem faced by students and educators. What do you think is the role of parents in ensuring ESD?

Victoria Ibiwoye: Together to support the government. I'm glad to see young education leaders with ground-breaking initiatives working to bridge the education gap.

This is why I would say that our work at One African Child is to complement what the government is doing to provide quality education.

The government will not always do everything for us, we may not have leaders who see education as the dirt call of action but as young people, we have our "youth power" to take bold steps that influence our community positively.

TYLC: As leaders who would play key stakes in the advancement of education, What do you think should be the specific inputs and roles as to the advancement of basic and quality education within reasonable budgets?

Victoria Ibiwoye: Parents need to prioritise education and by that, I don't mean sending their wards to school. Parents should inspire their kids to learn out of the classroom. For example, think about how food wastage impacts sustainable consumption and how recycling can reduce wastage? There are examples that children can learn at home.

TYLC: Do you think the civil society is doing enough to improve education in Africa?

If not, Where are the vacuums? What are the things we should be focusing more on?

Host: With respect to Food Wastage and Food Security, OVIWCE will be commemorating the World Food Day 2017 with an Hackaton aimed at providing ideas towards a #ZeroHunger generation #SDG2 #Oct16

Victoria Ibiwoye: Education for sustainable development is also about building sustainable lifestyles. To do that, learners require the right knowledge, skills, values and attitude that empower them to contribute to sustainable development. That stems from our everyday decision-making, the actions we take, how we treat and respect others, the value of showing compassion. There's no better teachers than our parent. The the power of long-life learning can be found at home.

HOST: I'm sure we'll partner OAC someday with respect to SDG17 partnership for the Goals.

Your leadership has been so intoxicating and all-inclusive to me... Anyone following @victoriaibiwoye will want to stake a claim towards working on a SDG😊😊😘

Victoria Ibiwoye: Education for sustainable development cuts across all aspect of the SDGs that is why it represents an essential strategy in the pursuit of the sustainable development goals. Education is both a goal in itself and a means of attaining all the other SDGs, it's an enabler of all other SDGs.

Host: Let's bring some humour in....Do you have time for a bit of Entertainment ma?

What Genre of music do you do?

Victoria Ibiwoye: I love Jazz and Pop

Adesimbo Tobiloba (audience) :

My experience so far no passionate youth have objectives other than SDG goals... Any goals contrary to that is not making a positive impact in the society and lives of people

Victoria Ibiwoye: If I get you correctly, are you saying that the SDGs is all encompassing of the pressing issues young people are trying to solve or that youth need to engage in other projects outside of the SDGs?

Adesimbo Tobiloba:

Youth need to engage in other projects but any projects youth engaging in a project must cut across or have one of the goals of SDG... I believe that's the zeal and flame of every change maker

TYLC: Starting and Leading an organization such as OAC is never a Childs-play .

- What were your greatest challenges?

- How did you overcome them?

A practical experience would do a lot of Good.

Victoria Ibiwoye: We had lots of challenges in the beginning with Communication and retaining the services of our volunteers considering that they are working on voluntary basis.

I've learnt a lot from the examples of leaders who have gone ahead of me. I am constantly researching online as well and learning on the job. Attending certain leadership trainings with UNESCO and the US Institute of Peace has taught me a great deal and improved my leadership competencies over time.

Adesimbo Tobiloba :

And Starting the organization how did you deal with funds to run your projects?

Victoria Ibiwoye: We haven't received any major grants or funding. We've been able to sustain the organization through income-generating initiatives such as selling of our branded T-shirts.

I just concluded my law school program last week and I'm looking at setting up a business. Part of the proceeds would go to keep the organisation running.

We also ask our volunteers to donate out of will. We receive generous donations from time to time.

HOST: This is inspiring

TYLC:  Africa has always been faced with the age long problem of the right leadership.

What are your perspectives on leadership generally in Africa as related to other continents?

Is it the African culture or we are just getting it all wrong?

Victoria Ibiwoye: Leadership is an independent term. It becomes what we make of it as individuals. We have both good and bad leaders. It's more about the person.

We cannot change the generation of bad leadership that we've experienced in Africa but our generation can make the difference if we out out lives in perspective and choose to the ethical and responsible leaders. We can always make that choice.

We can make that choice to be in government and choose not to be corrupt. Of course, that will come with difficulties in society that is structured to function in a certain way. The difference can start with you and I. We can be the generation Change.

Joy Giwamogorewa, (Audience):

It’s encouraging that youths are now rising up to make impact not just complaint. Am most impressed with your achievement especially starting as a student. By the way, do you know about Queens Young Leaders Award Scheme. In case you don't, please check it out. Really think you should put in for it. Cheers

Victoria Ibiwoye: For the trainings I've participated in, I always return how for a step-down training of trainers for our youth volunteers. Therefore, even though we don't pay them, they build new skills and values from the trainings and makes them want to serve better every time. This is like our incentive for the immeasurable services they offer to the organisation.

TYLC: Three People you'll be forever grateful to and what they did in your journey.

Victoria Ibiwoye: My mother. She's my first teacher and I've learnt a lot more from her than I have from school my entire life.

I'm grateful to my mentor. He's been a great inspiration and support throughout my journey.

I'm deeply grateful to my coach at the US Institute of Peace got believing in my abilities. 😄

The list is endless

HOST: On behalf of myself and my NGO (OVIWCE), I commend the great efforts of TYLC for giving me this opportunity to interview my mentor.

.

HOST: I want to say a very big fat thank you to Miss Victoria for giving us very precise answers...I'll relay this to our volunteers.

I want to appreciate the Audience for this very lovely atmosphere...you guys are wonderful

TYLC:

Lets take a parting word from Miss Victoria.....You have the floor ma

Victoria Ibiwoye: There we 597 members in this Loop. That's huge if we think about the influence and difference every person can make. I just want you all to know that even as one person, you can make a huge difference.

When OneAfricanChild started, I didn't even think that we would come this far. The name came about because I wanted to make a difference in the life of One Child. Today, we have impacted thousands by letting our light shine. You can do the same and achieve even more.

Don't stop learn and don't stop at learning. Go out and light your world. 🌟✨🌟

Read more on our website at http://theyoungleaderscouncil.org/

TYLC:

Thank you very much Victoria

We are most delighted to have you....

We look forward to more fruitful partnerships and engagements together...

To our wonderful and ever compliant audience we are extremely grateful for your time and presence...  

In the meantime, let's spread the word, Youths must arise..