There is a saying that allowing women to achieve their potential is critical for a nation’s development. Dr. Kehinde Kadiri Kadijat, in this exclusive interview with Afolabi Rachel and Abimbola Abatta, tells us how she has been able to help the less privileged at the grassroots level by being a ray of hope for these communities through her NGO, The Grassroots Aid Initiative (TGAI). Although being a Lecturer in one of the prestigious Federal Universities in the country, she has been able to balance lecturing with her commendable humanitarian deeds. Excerpts:
Who really is Kehinde Kadijat Kadiri?
I am a Senior Lecturer in Mass Communication from University of Ilorin of Ilorin. I am also the Founder and Executive Director of The Grassroots Aid Initiative (TGAI), an NGO that uses photography to drive developmental projects that improve the lives of people in grassroots areas. I am from Ogun State, Nigeria. I am a twin who was born in Lagos into a family of 4 kids. I grew up in Ota, Ogun State and I did my secondary school at Iganmode Grammar School, Ota. University of Lagos (Bsc Mass Communication), University of Ghana (M.A. Communication Studies), Universiti Utara Malaysia (PhD Communications). I am a practising Muslim.
What does your NGO do? What activities do you engage in?
The Grassroots Aid Initiative (TGAI) is an NGO that uses photography to drive developmental projects that improve the lives of people in grassroots areas. I started taking compelling pictures of people in rural areas in Kwara State. The pictures tell a compelling narrative of the struggles, challenges and activities of rural people which are often ignored or taken for granted. I posted all these pictures on my personal social media handles, suddenly people were reacting and engaging me. They were asking me so many questions about those pictures, this improved my low self-esteem. Later on the pictures compelled my followers to contribute positively to the challenges of these people. People started donating money and materials. The rest is history. With compelling pictures and emotive storytelling skills, I have been able to contribute meaningfully to the lives of over 10,000 people in over 20 communities in 5 states in Nigeria.
How have you been able to manage being a lecturer with being a founder of an NGO?
I always map out a plan in every academic session. I have more courses in 1st semester than in 2nd semester so I usually place minor projects such as seminars, relief materials donations between November and March which is usually the 1st semester. Then I focus on capital projects such as water boreholes between April and August in 2nd Semester. I also use the period of 1st semester to focus on how to map out my plans and strategies for next projects.
What was the driving force and motivation that prompted you into starting out the NGO?
The passion for photography led to the establishment of the NGO. I started off by documenting the lives of people in rural areas by posting them of my IG account. I was posting and writing short stories on what I posted on my social media handles then people started asking questions and suggesting that we help the people in the deplorable situation. Then one day, I posted the picture of a girl carrying her bag on her head after she was sent out of school. I wrote a short story on it; afterwards, someone sent me a DM that she would like to pay for her school fees. There and then I realised how powerful social media can be. This singular act changed my route in photography from documentary into humanitarian photography.
For how long has your NGO been in existence? Since its establishment, can you tell us some of the challenges that you have encountered and how you were able to tackle them?
TGAI was founded in March 1, 2017. In the beginning when we started the NGO, most of the communities that we went for feasibility studies do not believe us when we tell them that we wanted to take pictures to tell stories to raise funds for them. Some of these community people were so hostile that some of them stoned us when we refused to give up in our persuasion. We had to cajole and convince profusely before they reluctantly agreed. After the huge success of the water project in Asileke, it was other villages that started calling us. Now we only go to check the villages to make sure they actually have a water need. Once we went to a village and we realised that the existing water projects in that community was not maintained. Therefore, we didn’t embark on a project in the community. Even after the execution of our projects. We still maintain cordial relationships with the community people. We still stay in touch up till today.
Being a not-for-profit organisation, it means you are not into a business that might generate profit for you? So, how have you been funding the NGO?
TGAI raises funds from the public through social media crowd funding and personal donations from families and friends.
Are you expecting government or international bodies support or partnership in any form?
I have not gotten any international collaborations but TGAI receives funds from individuals from outside the country through GoFundMe, which we usually use to raise funds. We have not gotten any government support yet but we are hoping to get one in the nearest future because we want to work with government. We have been applying to different donor agencies, but we have not gotten a positive response yet.
What are some of the projects you’ve worked on? And how effective has your impact been in eradicating some societal problems?
The Grassroots Aid Initiative (TGAI) is striving to be one of the foremost NGOs in Nigeria that strives to improve the lives of people at the grassroots level especially when it comes to SDG 4 and 6. TGAI wants to be known more as a water solution NGO because we have been able to discover our strength in SDG4 than other SDGoals.
Therefore, our area of core competence is water, but we have also been involved in other aspects on humanitarian activities such as donating relief materials to different villages, donation of shoes to pupils in primary schools in 4 states in Nigeria, building house for an old woman who was living in a dilapidated muddy home, payment of school fees of pupils and students etc. We focused more on water projects in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic that was ravaging the world and the need to use water to improve the deplorable water situation in underserved rural communities.
What are some of the achievements you have recorded?
My achievements are numerous. Got about 10 awards in the last 4 years, the most outstanding among them are Ogun State Young Woman Award 2021 and Gani Fawehinmi Outstanding Impact Award of 2019.
What are your goals for the future? Where do you hope to be by then?
I wish to take my NGO to the international limelight by coming up with more life impactful lofty projects, get more relevant certifications in the NGO industry, become a professor and get busy with my family. Ideas keep sprouting up every time. For now I want to make the water NGO more encompassing and engaging with the audience. We want to merge SDG 4 and SDG 6 projects into a single project. Book and photography exhibitions are also some of the ideas on the pipeline.
Can you remember any unforgettable experience while growing up?
I was victimised by a male lecturer while in 200level at University of Lagos. The level made sure I was rusticated for one full session because I refused to tango with him. That period served as a turning point in my life. It repositioned my life and made me more resilient than I thought I could ever be. The saying that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger sums up this scenario.
How do you unwind?
I spend time with my loved ones, travel, speak on various related topics on different platforms both in and out of Nigeria.
What is your greatest regret?
The greatest regret I had was seeking affirmations from people at the detriment of my self-conviction. I had an extremely low self-esteem while I was growing up
Do you intend going into politics later in life?
Not at all. I am not sure I can survive in Nigerian politics. I can accept government appointment but not politics.
What advice do you have for women and girls out there?
Once you believe in yourself, every task is attainable.