“We’re committed to providing humaniterian services to orphans, less privileged”

Founder, LUCIANO Global Development Initiative (LGDI), a non-governmental organization based in Lagos, Mrs. Lucy Adekemi Olaniyi in this interview with Obinna Nnorom speaks on the need for non-profit organizations to provide means of livelihood to the less-privileged in the society, among other issues.

What’s this initiative all about?

Luciano Global Development Initiative (LGDI) is a non-governmental and non-profit making organization registered with Cooperate Affairs Commission (CAC), and with head office in Lagos State.

Though we started full operations in 2014, we have been involved in the transformation of the young ones since 2003 rendering other forms of assistance that has been putting smiles on people’s faces.

We are involved in the provision of various health services to Orphans and Vulnerable children (OVC), we provide support for malnourished babies, and we initiated and partnered in social development activities. We meet with our club kids usually monthly or quarterly to support them with basic school materials and food stuffs.

The LGDI is set to achieve such goal as to improve the lives of Orphans and Vulnerable Children, women and girls in various communities in Nigeria.

How do you intend to accomplish the set-out goals of this organization?

We set to achieve our set goals by providing basic health education and easy access to health facilities thereby reducing infant and maternal mortality rate. Building the capacity of OVC and Women through skill acquisition trainings. Developing sustainable solutions for the reduction if not total eradication of illiteracy, poverty and diseases.

Conducting sound orientation programs for the youth and secondary school students on various life issues through our online radio station peakradio.net, re-orientating and educating children, the young and adults especially at this period of Covid-19 Pandemic. Enrolling the out-of-school children back to schools and also taking care of their welfare.

Providing free educational materials (customized exercise books, school uniforms, school bags, pens, textbooks etc.) to children in schools. Strengthening the OVC’s physical fitness and building their sport skills by enrolling them in sport training schools such as Taekwondo. Organizing sensitization and awareness creation programs on health and other important aspects of lives for the grassroots.

What informed the vision and mission of LGDI?

Our vision at LGDI is to create a world of positive social change for all. And our mission however is set to empower, inspire, and deliver values to the socially-excluded through advocacy, capacity building, collaborations, networking, psycho-social support and sensitization for a healthier society.

Who are your partners?

LGDI is in partnership with many organizations, namely, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development (MYSD), the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Association for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria, Lagos Chapter (AONN), Liberi Health Foundation, Alimosho Local Government. We also collaborate with Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) Lagos, Life Partners Foundation, Makoko Youth Foundation (MAYON), Advocacy for Children & Vulnerable Persons (ACVPN) Network, African Women Water, Sanitation & Hygiene Network (AWWASHNet), D&Ksuomi Foundation, Petdof group, Viju Milk Industry, Peakradio.netNGOs Fitness & Kickers Academy.

Many NGOs today seek cash support from donor agencies for humanitarian projects, only to divert such resources to their private bank accounts, what makes LGDI different?

Well, at LGDI, we hold projects every month, at times 2 or 3 projects a month before the Covid-19 Pandemic, the funds are raised through individual donors. Whenever projects are marked, and planned for, as soon as cash flows in, no matter how small, it’s spent on the project.

The first project we executed was in Kogi State. During my National Youths Service Corps program in 2004/2005, which I found quite eventful. My fellow-corps members advised me to divide the cash proceeds (I raised for humanitarian project) into two; spend half of the money on the project and keep the remaining for my upkeep.

My answer was, NO! N800, 000 was realized then and, I resisted the temptation of misusing the cash because I considered such act as corruption. I insisted that I must spend every penny I realized from donors on the purpose it was meant for. And I am glad I did. We are usually faced with challenges whenever we are to hold programs but it’s a call, a non-stop task I have passion for.

Some of the projects I ran then were; provisions of national flags, provision of school flags, set of computers, educational charts, construction of library, library furniture–chairs, tables, shelves, donation of books, construction and engraving of School Logo with concrete, provision of Sport equipment etc. All these I achieved for the community then which earned me a nomination as Second Corps Member of the Year Award.

Going by the several allegations of corruption against NGOs which has also necessitated the enactment of the controversial CAMA Law 2020, how do you think NGOs can regain public trust once again?

In running an NGO, there are three basic principles that should guide its operations without which, such organization has derailed. They are: Transparency, Accountability and Means of Verification.

What projects have you carried out that made positive impact on the society?

Sure, LGDI always organize  educative and interesting programs that always attract dignitaries. A visit to our Facebook page and the website of UNIC Nigeria would tell much about us.

In January, 2020, LGDI organized a day with Widows, Widowers and the less privileged with the theme: “Say NO to Physical Abuse”. The participants testified that the program was fruitful because it was an eye-opener to them on their rights and privileges as women. Some of the participants had never attended such a program in their lives.

LGDI also celebrated the International Day for Women and Girls in Science on 11th February, 2020. We’re we promoted Gender Equality and Empowering Women and Girls (SDG 5).

We participated in a 4-Day dialogue with Traditional and Cultural Leaders from Western and Central Africa on Ending Child Marriage & Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) organized by UN Women at Radisson Blue Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos 2018 was a huge success.

LGDI in collaborations with Fitness & Kickers Academy celebrated Valentine in another dimension with the children and their parents. The topic for that day was ‘Abuse and other related issues on Abuses’ (SDG 3) it was quite eventful many children and parents made startling revelations, so many of which were dully addressed.

We held the International Women’s Day with the theme “I am the generation Equality Realizing Women’s Rights” in collaboration with UNIC, Nigeria and D&Ksuomi Foundation. Six of our girls were to be empowered with sewing Machines, cutting Nylon and one dryer but for this Covid 19 pandemic, which has caused a delay. The event was a success.

We held live discussion on Coronavirus with AWWASHNET as a guest in studio – peakradio.net, it was an eventful program.

We collaborated with PACFaH – Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health, the project was funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to address Child and Family health issues in Nigeria and also to build the capacity of indigenous CSOs/NGOs. As part of the PSN-PACFaH component of PACFaH project, we work to support the Government to #End Pneumonia and #End Diarrhea in Nigeria. We advocated for the use of Amoxicillin DT and Zinc/LO-ORS in the management of childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhea respectively to put an end to the killer diseases in Lagos State.

Not long ago, it was in the news, you won an award from a Finland based international humanitarian organization, D&Ksuomi, how do you feel about it and what do you think influenced your choice for the award?

Sincerely, I was very happy. It was as if a million-dollar cash was given to me and it shows that someone out there is watching. The award was like a spark of fire, it has encouraged us to do more despite low cash flow.

I thank individuals and organizations that have supported us morally and financially. I also thank Deborah Funmi Mupapa, founder of D&Ksuomi International, Finland for acknowledging LGDI with an award at the 5th D&Ksuomi International Humanitarian Conference and Awards 2019, held in Lagos on the 29th of November 2019. I believe sincerity and transparency influenced our being chosen for the award, our projects are visible on social media and some traditional media. Our ingenuity and determination towards achieving our goals really paid off.

You are in collaboration with UNIC, Abuja, how has that helped you to achieve your goals?

UNIC is the Communication and information arm of the United Nations. Its office in Lagos is the only office for Nigeria. They have the responsibility to publicize the UN General Assembly Resolutions. As you know, all UN International Days were declared via the UN General Assembly Resolutions, therefore in all the International Days that LGDI has observed, UNIC has been our partners. International Women’s Day, Day of the Girl Child, Children’s Day etc are examples of annual events we celebrate.

UNIC provides technical support via sourcing for quality speakers at our events and also provide the global perspectives and best practices on themes that LGDI is working on.

The organization works with us right from the beginning of the program till the end. They also support a lot in communicating the discussions at LGDI-UNIC programmes to the wider public and on their platforms.

Take a look at some ugly national issues, specifically rape, what is your take on this dastardly act that is on the increase?

LGDI stands with other well-meaning Nigerians to condemn rape. We do not want rape in our society. We are admonishing any victims of rape to always speak out as this will help track down the perpetrators. We are also of the opinion that the National Assembly should pass the bill on Rape into law. There should be a capital punishment for rapists. This will serve as deterrent to them.

As it were in Nigeria, the girl-child, especially from poor homes are too vulnerable to rape, what do you think parents should do to protect their female children from falling victims?

Parents play major role in the life of their girl-child, they could influence positively and negatively during the cause of responding to issues discussed by both. The first thing to be done by parents is to love their girl-child, see their female child as their best friend. They need to, introduce sex education to their girl-child at an early age, engage their daughters in conversations regularly on risks early sexual intercourse, teenage pregnancy and abortion. Parents should not hide these important issues because the consequences are to dare to pay for a prize.

When a girl requests for things you are not capable of affording, let her know with reasons why it would not be possible, and be very observant to find out if she is moody. Always ask your girl questions that bothers on her needs and problems with a view to providing solutions. Mentor her to be bold such that she can confront any threats arising from a boy or man with bad motives.

Parents should teach their girls to stand firm in right decision by saying Yes or No to anything right or wrong. Parents should apply right trends that are in tandem with acceptable cultural values in mentoring the female child; that way the child will learn sex education early and be able to avoid teenage pregnancy. The girl-child should be taught that early exposure to sexual intercourse with the opposite sex risks pregnancy.

Parents should not answer questions asked by their girls out of annoyance, but with love; they should not parry or delay questions but respond with wisdom. The consequence of delaying or avoiding questions could lead to lack of confidence and when this happens the girl might decide to seek answers from the wrong counsellor, thereby paying a heavy prize for it.

“Parents should teach their girls how to be economically independent, so that men will not take undue advantage and exploit them sexually.”

When a woman is independent, she earns the respect of her man; she will exude confidence and seek her rights.

Unfortunately, some men have turned out to be wolves, raping their daughters whom they are supposed to protect; how can this be explained?

Well, what I see is that valuable reorientation needs to be provided for them. Fathers need not be told that it’s a taboo to have canal knowledge of their daughters as such dastardly act deserves severe punishment.

Kaduna State recently signed a bill into law that prescribed death penalty for rapists, even as some people are calling for castration as punishment for offenders, what’s your view?

It is a welcomed  development. If the Kaduna State Government can enforce the law on every rape suspect, then it will go a long way in curbing the menace of rape in the country. Rape is a crime against humanity. It’s stripping of woman dignity and a sign of a backward society. The government at all levels must take a firm stand against rape to protect the rights and dignity of women in the country.

In the course of your numerous campaigns for enforcement of women’s rights in Nigeria, what level of damage do you think this has done on women’s right?

Yes, the rights of women have been immensely violated in several ways, starting from the family to the society (community) at large. In the family, women are restricted to certain roles based on cultural factors. In some instances, culture does not allow women to voice out their concern as they are relegated to the background in terms of decision-making and that affects them psychologically.

Often times, decisions are made and enforced on women in the Nigerian society against their will thereby depriving them of the opportunity to speak publicly in defense of their rights, how can women wriggle out of this bondage?

Women can know their right if they are well-informed. My message to all Nigerian women is for them to always take bold-steps to speak out whenever their rights are being violated. They should approach appropriate channels like human-right-based NGOs to fight and obtain justice through the court of law.

The 21-century women need to acquire education. There is an adage that says, when you educate a woman, you educate a nation. An educated woman is liberated from the shackles of ignorance. However, a woman can be educated without really being informed; so, a woman needs both education and information to be up-to-date of the happenings in the society in order to make informed decisions.

Part of our message to the Nigerian women is for them to always take bold steps to speak out when their rights are being violated. They should also be economically empowered in order to be financially independent. Some women even know their right but because they are financially dependent, they lack the boldness to act accordingly.

Tell us how your organization has impacted on the lives of indigent children, especially, the girl-child so far?

LGDI has assisted indigent children in our society through provision of welfares including care and physo-social supports to the less-privileged children in their household.

We have provided capacity-building project on children by training them on tailoring, and monthly extra-moral lessons. Regardless of paucity of fund, we embarked on orientation programs for the young people and secondary school students on various life related issues. We enroll the out-of-school children in schools. We provide free educational materials as, exercise books, school uniforms, school bags, pens, textbooks and etc.

We have enrolled the indigents and OVCs in sports training schools to strengthen their fitness, our regular online radio (peakradio.net) programme has played a key role in the sensitization of women in the society.

Our commitment to assisting the less- privileged and vulnerable children in our locality has earned us various recognitions from governments and cooperate organizations.