AWARDWINNING JUWARAT ABDULSALAM DECLARES ‘JEAF FOUNDATION IS SET UP FOR THE VULNERABLE’; WANTS YOUTH LEADERSHIP TO START NOW IN NIGERIA, PLEADS WITH OLD LEADERS ‘TO SIT BACK AND OFFER ADVICE’
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
Founder/President, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation, Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam
The Founder/President of Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation (JEAF), an NGO concerned with the care and welfare of the societal deprived, disadvantaged, depressed, destitute, hopeless and the vulnerable, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam is a young Nigerian woman so passionate about providing help, intervention and empowerment which will contribute to nation building. The humanitarian organization which she founded some years ago operates ‘on the principle of inclusiveness and total commitment to human respect and dignity.’
Through the JEA Foundation, Juwarat ‘takes the utmost responsibility from time to time to identify the vulnerable and provides succor for them, enhancing their human dignity and capacity to contribute to societal development.’ On the sidelines of the Trek Africa Newspaper Award which she bagged recently, Enehezeyi Abdulsalam granted an exclusive interview to Oki Samson of Trek Africa Newspaper in which she discussed her passion for humanity, the need for youths and women to take leadership roles among other issues.
Founder/President, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation, Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam
Trek Africa: You recently won an award at the Trek Africa Entrepreneurship Conference (TAEC’ 21) for your enterprise and humanitarian gestures, can you tell us about your work at Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: JEAF is a foundation set up for the vulnerable. It is set up to help the needy. There are a lot of people who have no support from the government and they don’t have their needs met. The JEAF Foundation works in this area and I work so hard so that we can see successes that I can be proud of. That is why I choose to do what I do.
Trek Africa: Nigeria has millions of out-of-school children, what should government do to help these children?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: Government needs to look closely at the children, and if possible, provide free education. But as it is, there is unemployment in the land which equally affects the children. If there could be job creation and parents were given opportunity, they will be able to cater for their children because no parents will be happy seeing other children in school in this Digital Age that we are in. And for those that are orphans, government needs to look closely at them so they would not become a problem to the society tomorrow.
Founder/President, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation, Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam
Trek Africa: We see young people revolting, not trusting government and security agencies, what is the future for this country?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: I personally think government has taken a proactive step by allowing the local government areas to have autonomy. Thus, LGA chairmen can block loopholes that they see. At least, the children can get into schools. Youth restiveness is a result of unemployment. Many graduates don’t have anything to do today. If you don’t have anybody at the top, there is no way you will get jobs. In some places where there are jobs, it is being sold and they don’t have capacity to buy appointment for themselves. If government can place the jobs online so that there will be access to those who merit those vacant spots can get involved. I still believe there is a better future for the young ones in the country.
If state governors allow our LGAs to work, some of our issues will be resolved through the LG autonomy. I also advise the youths to vote in the right persons. They should not allow governors impose candidates on them. They should vote for those who are close to the people so that all these issues will be addressed. We have to elect the right people in the right positions.
Also, youths should not have the fear of financial capability. They should come out and seek any position they feel that they can fit into. We should stop queuing behind these old people. Since we were born, they have been our leaders and they are still there. We are the future and the future should start right now. Our leadership should start today. The old people should sit back and offer advice. The country belongs to us and we should take charge.
L-R: Publisher, Trek Africa Newspaper, Oki Samson; Founder/President, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation, Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam and Alhaja Raliat Abdulsalam during the Presentation of Trek Africa Humanitarian Personality Award to Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam in Lagos.
Trek Africa: Do you think youths are prepared?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: I think we are prepared. The MD of NEXIM Bank, she is a youth. The MD of Rural Electrification Development Commission is a youth. I can tell you that these people are not sleeping as they want to put in their best in the positions they occupy while the old people are sleeping and waiting to use the youths to execute their jobs while they take the glory.
Trek Africa: How do you describe the woman?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: Women are the future of this country. They should be given the opportunity to lead. I believe we have the capacity. Many men in office take advice from women, most especially their wives. The wives are in charge, the men are only there as figureheads controlled by a woman. You can’t discredit a woman. It is only that in Africa where cultural and religious inclination is making women draw back but women are ready to take charge. By the time we take charge, you will see this country a better country.
Founder/President, Juwarat Enehezeyi Abdulsalam Foundation, Hajia Juwarat Abdulsalam gleefully displaying her Award Honors
Trek Africa: Do you have any woman you admire in politics?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: Unfortunately, she is no more now. She is Maryam Babangida, I see her as one of the women who have brought women out of their shell into politics in Nigeria. Her ‘Better Life Program’ have given women a sense of belonging to come out and they keep coming out. She is a woman that I really cherish and I pray that Allah will grant her Aljanna Fridaus
Trek Africa: Do you have any political agenda for 2023, we know you have been at the forefront of political advocacy?
Juwarat Abdulsalam: For now, no political agenda but if God calls me for His agenda, I will answer. I am waiting for God. I am not going to force myself. Let my people decide who can represent them.
