It’s been over 20 years since your organisation was created. How would you describe the journey so far?
We launched Relief Africa in Nigeria in 2010 but I’ve been doing this (philanthropy) ever since I was in the United States of America. I used to come home (to Nigeria) and give to children in need. The journey has been fantastic. I am ready to put smiles on the faces of children even if I have to do something childish. There have been ups and downs – sometimes, I cry that I don’t have enough money to send the toys, clothes and new shoes to the children. But thank God my friends have really been very supportive.
You once said the idea behind the organisation came after you had a dream. What was different about that dream?
At that time, I was in America. It was right there, close to Tinubu Square in Lagos, that I remembered giving out some bags of things to children in the dream. Inside those bags were shoes, toys, clothes and books to read. I made the dream a reality and that is exactly what we are doing today. I don’t just drop the items in any home; I divide them according to age groups – for children from age zero to 16 years old. We also give clothes to their parents. For people that work around them, we give them bags of rice to share because they are also partakers in taking care of those lovely children.
What were the challenges you faced when you started?
When we started, the challenge we had was dishonesty. But in a way, if the Federal Government is doing their share, there would not be stealing. I’m not saying that I’m going to hold grudges. Let’s face it; people are hungry. You can imagine that COVID-19 has left many children sleeping on the streets with no food to eat. If I were those children, I would steal from someone because I’m hungry and angry. So, what I tell the people through whom I send items to children is if they need anything, they should tell me. Sometimes, they would lie that so many people need things and when I send money, I don’t see the result. But then I can’t blame them and I’m not upset. I also had a challenge with transportation – moving items to Nigeria.
How do you raise money to fund what you do?
The government doesn’t fund it. So I do it with the help of my friends, children and cousins. I can’t thank my children enough for that. Sometimes, I even sell some things so that I can raise money to come to Nigeria. That’s okay for me. But we need support because I can’t be an island. Also, all fingers are not equal; if they were, all of us would have been doctors and lawyers.
When you said you sold some things, did you mean you sold your personal belongings in order to keep the organisation operational?
Yes. I sell things like my jewellery at a pawn shop. It really doesn’t matter to me. What is the importance of looking good when a child is hungry?
Do you also provide training to empower the underprivileged with skills?
I have a charity shop in Surulere, Lagos, and on the other side of it, there is a place where one could go and learn sewing or how to trade, and then we can give them some money. The last time, we gave someone in a wheelchair, who wanted to start selling airtime, N10,000. He was getting depressed and agitated. We asked him what he wanted to do and he told us he wanted to start selling recharge cards and could begin with N10,000. So, every morning, he would come out and sell. That way, not only was he getting money into his pocket, he was also able to communicate with people. He has got a life. But we are now moving to a bigger shop where we can use our skills better. It is called Relief Africa Charity Shop; it’s a place where children in the area can go when they need shoes and school bags. They get these free of charge.
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many activities around the world. How has it affected yours?
We celebrate Children’s Days for kids in Nigeria. Normally, I buy my ticket a year in advance because I already know I would travel to Nigeria. But when this (COVID-19) happened, I didn’t know what to do. My head was blank. Children’s Day is also on my birthday, so I like to celebrate it with children. My kids advised me not to go to Nigeria amid the pandemic but, instead, told me to celebrate my birthday at home for the first time. I have never cut a birthday cake for myself because I think it’s a waste of money. Besides, I could eat cake every day in the UK. I saw my kids’ suggestion as a nice gesture but I thought about the kids in Nigeria.
However, a friend of mine recommended celebrating with the children in Nigeria via Zoom. But I considered that a lot of people would not be able to afford Zoom. So, I thought about using WhatsApp and calling some of my friends in the neighbourhood in Nigeria to gather the children to have the celebration. So, we did a session at 10am, 11am and 1pm. The children were well-dressed, sat down nicely and waved their hands as I danced like Michael Jackson. I had a good time with the kids on Children’s Day. If God is in the centre of everything, He will always make a way. I thank God for what He did for me when my daughter was in a coma for a month but came out of it okay.
Why was she in a coma?
She had an allergic reaction to an eye drop and it peeled off her whole skin. So, I create awareness about people taking all kinds of drugs that have side effects. People need to have antihistamines always with them. I carry one in my bag, not because I’m allergic to something but because you could just be allergic to nuts and have a reaction that could close your airways and lead to death.
How did you cope with your daughter’s condition?
How did I cope? Ah, I was bankrupt! I was crazy but it was in tune with what was happening. But I knew she was not going to die.
How did you mark Children’s Day before COVID-19?
I used to ship all the goods to Nigeria two months earlier and travel to Nigeria three days before May 27. In Nigeria, I would divide the goods and take them to the underprivileged children in different homes. At the homes, I performed by dancing and singing. The children are so used to the singing and dancing that they don’t remember the toys given to them.
Many organisations find it difficult to meet up with their financial obligations due to the impact of COVID-19. How is your organisation coping?
A lot of people are still giving. It’s unbelievable. Again, it depends on the kind of friends you have. I thank God for true friends who believe in what I do. I also save some money. Philanthropy is my passion and mission and I’m not offended if people don’t support.
Poverty is a big challenge in Africa. What do you think is responsible for the level of poverty in Nigeria?
Greed from our government is responsible. How can somebody who has gone through university not get a job? Such a person is frustrated. Nigeria has well-educated people and God has given us what we need. Some of us who have studied abroad wish to come home and make a difference, but we can’t do that due to corruption, greed and corruption of the highest order. Why? Why can’t we just love our neighbours as it is said in the Bible? With the pandemic, where can the rich fly to now? Where are their private jets? Greed is killing Nigeria.
What worries you about the impact of poverty on the life of the Nigerian child?
Each time I come to Nigeria, I can’t stop crying. It is really sad. There was a child I saw under a bridge in Nigeria. That child must have been 10 years old. He approached me and asked if I had anything for him. It is sad. A lot of people can’t afford three square meals and the economy is bad.
With the growing poverty rate in Nigeria, does it seem like eradicating it is impossible?
It does look like that. But we should forget about what the government is doing. Let us try to make a difference. If we can change the way we think in Nigeria and embrace honesty, we will go a long way because that attitude would spread from one generation to the other.
In London, every child matters, irrespective of race or religion. But Nigeria doesn’t have that; there is no concern for the dignity of the Nigerian child. Some people said they were marking Children’s Day in Nigeria and the gifts were given to the children of the rich. I saw it with my eyes. Is that equality? Children’s Day should be celebrated on the streets.
With the rising cases and deaths from COVID-19 in the UK, how are you staying safe?
We follow the guidelines. We only go out when needed and wear gloves and face masks if we have to go out. I have not lost a relative to the pandemic, but I lost some aged persons from a place where I used to perform as a dancer. The UK government told us not to pay bills for three months to help cushion the effect of the pandemic. So, we took a break from paying for light, water, rent and others. Boris Johnson was in the hospital and he had a taste of COVID-19, which wasn’t pleasant. But I thank God that he made it through.
Some critics argue that many charity organisations were created by their owners a means to get free money and enrich themselves. Do you agree with that or think it’s a misconception?
A friend came to me saying she had been seeing what I do with my organisation and wanted to know how I was doing it. There is a misconception about charity. A lot of people think many charity organisations are used to get free money. But I do pay my tax returns so that my organisation won’t be deregistered as a charity. I also pay for the account. Charity is about being selfless. Let us continue giving. The pandemic is here to wake people up because we are too selfish. COVID-19 has shown why humans should be selfless. I don’t want anything in return; I don’t even want the parents of the children we reach out to thank me. I look on to Jesus. People have also been giving to support what I do.
Have people accused you of using your NGO to get free funds?
I don’t even get funding, not here (UK) or Nigeria. Only my children, cousins and friends support me. I am a single mother of four girls. I won’t live in this world forever but my dignity will because it is what I do or preach that I will be known for.