By Victor Gotevbe

Ewajesu, a dynamic young woman who is only 29 years old believes like the legendary boxer, Mohammed Ali, that  “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth”. Over the years, she has remained consistent with doing something to make life better than resigning to fate and  playing the blame game. This weekend, she shares her story from Abuja with Saturday Youthful Vibes.

We understand you are currently the  country Director of Africa Women and Youth Organization (AWYO) and you serve as Nigeria’s representatives to the Common- Wealth Youth Caucus. How did you attain these enviable positions?

These positions were not achieved in a day.  It is important for me to state that God has favoured the works of my hands, and directed my steps aright. I can point to the fact that consistent sacrifice and selfless service characterized my entrance into these positions. I worked  closely with my predecessor in the Commonwealth Youth Representative position for two years without any form of scheming or plan to become the representative.

Nonetheless, I loved the job he was doing,and I spent those years learning from him. I still do up till date. When it was time for replacement, it was discovered that I knew more than any  other person being interviewed for the position and I met all the criteria set by the Commonwealth and the Nigerian Government through the Ministry of  Youth Development.

EWAJESU ASALA

It is important for me to also state that the people in charge were not related to me in any way neither did they have any vested interest in me. I met the Minister and the Special Assistant to the Minister for the first time during my interview.

In relation to being the country’s Director of AWYO, I worked as a Volunteer  Programme Officer for four years without pay at AWYO and when it was time for expansion into Nigeria, I had gained a lot of experience and knowledge about team management within the sector and about the organization that it became apparent that I would deliver better than others. For the past 18 months of  AWYO Nigeria, I have done my best to live up to that expectation.

Would you say being in these positions is rooted in your  background?
If by background you mean ‘family’ then in view of  how the current socio-economic terrain of Nigeria the answer is NO. However, my parents belong to a generation that was generally aware of governance and politics. My father was very aware about politics and we always had political debate in the family, TELL magazine was part of my foundation in governance

You studied Accounting but you seemed to be more of a social entrepreneur than being an accountant.
Yes, my knowledge in accounting is currently being used for financial management and in teaching start-up entrepreneurs on financial management. I could never work as a regular accountant

What is your motivation for staying within the ambit of Social works?
Better living conditions for the lowest person on the social ladder. The fact that some people are dying while others own private jets makes me feel uncomfortable. More painful is the fact that some women are dying at child birth while billions of naira are always missing  from public funds.

I feel that my silence is an acceptance of the fact that these actions are right, my shouting or public display of displeasure also seem to me like a quest for public attention, the only way through is developing an attitude that this is also my problem.

I often wonder why the Westerners feel so confident, even the most uneducated ones and every time I travel overseas my mind is bothered by the infrastructural development I see, the way people treat the lower class citizens and the minimum standard of living. To build our social confidence we must build our country.

What projects are you working on and how are young women and men going to  benefit from them?
This year I am focused on training young people within universities to develop  business ideas and business plans before leaving the university. Entrepreneurship and Education is key for this year, I am working on Summer School course for school owners in Nigeria, this is done in partnership with our partner university in Germany. I am also looking at helping women start and incubate their businesses this year.

Who are your role models?
Obiageli Ezekwesili, Mrs Ibukun Odusote and my current mentor Thelma Ekiyor of TY Danjuma Foundation.

Any advice for young Nigerians like you amidst all the socio-economic challenges?
Do something! If you keep looking at the impossibilities then you would never leave where you are. Stagnancy is not tolerated by nature. Hence, you are either moving forward or backward and if stagnant then you are probably decaying. In the dynamic world that we find ourselves as young people, creativity and information coupled with an unshaken commitment to succeeding is key to being relevant.