OCTOBER 5, 2014 BY PETER OKEUGO
Adepeju Jaiyeoba
Founder of Brown Button Foundation and Mothers Delivery Kit, Adepeju Jaiyeoba, was praised by United States President Barack Obama during the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders. She talks about what makes her a success
What influenced your involvement in community advocacy and humanitarian services?
Losing a friend at childbirth was my turning point. Her death put a face behind every statistics I have heard and created a deep connection with our challenges. When I see numbers now, I look at them differently. I know these are not mere numbers but real people and that ignites my passion. It makes me care more deeply for the population I serve.
How did you develop the passion for pregnant women?
The realisation that the staggering figures aren’t mere numbers, especially when it came close through my friend. Working in this field, I am daily confronted with the gaping needs of this population of people. I just can’t turn my back on the pain I see.
What was the motivation for establishing Brown Button Foundation?
Brown Button Foundation was established to meet the needs of the population who rely on the skilled and unskilled traditional birth attendants, who, are sometimes, limited in their exposure and understanding of modern techniques and standard hygiene requirement of the field in which they serve. It is a bridge between the undeniable and needed reliance on traditional birth attendants and the modern hospital facilities.
What are the challenges of starting up and running a NGO?
For Brown Button Foundation and Mothers Delivery Kit, I had different experiences starting up. Brown Button was easy especially as I just needed someone to believe in my idea and spur me to action. For Mothers Delivery Kit, building distribution lines in the face of ailing infrastructure was a challenge. We are currently overcoming that with the support of the United States African Development Foundation. If one remains determined, one would learn that no challenge is insurmountable. One needs to keep to the vision and not be deterred by the problems and difficulties one faces.
What else do you do apart from running a NGO?
I run a social venture that provides delivery kits for women in rural communities and connecting them to the lifesaving supplies they need at childbirth.
How can NGOs that do not have the not-for-profit motive be checked?
We cannot blame the government for lack of accountability without first being accountable to ourselves. From the lowest level of an organisation to the highest, there must be accountability. Donors must move from paper accountability to evidence-based accountability. Also, peers within the sector must hold themselves to a high degree of accountability for public perception of development work and NGOs can change. I believe in building sustainable models and I enjoin organisations to do the same.
What are the gains of the 2014 Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders to your career?
The Washington Fellowship has ingrained several lessons on my mind, one of which includes never to underestimate the power of a group collectively working together for a common purpose. Africa needs businesses, trade and investments and not just international aids. Most of all, with more than one billion consumers, Africa is open for business.
How do you intend to apply the knowledge gained in Nigeria?
I was on the business and entrepreneurship track of the fellowship which saw me studying at the University of Texas, Austin and then working with the United Nations Foundation. These experiences opened me up to opportunities in trade, investments, business scalability and sustainability as well as supply chain management amongst other things. Upon return to Nigeria, I will be seeking to put this knowledge to action in my business as I scale up other parts of Nigeria, as well as offer support to other youths in business. Already, a Facebook page has been set up where YALI fellows from Nigeria are engaging and sharing resource with other young Nigerians.
What leadership gaps can you spot in Nigeria?
I think what is important and required of all leaders is the concept of selflessness. We must learn to put others first and self, last. Leadership does not always mean holding a position; leadership involves positively influencing others and spurring them to action. If one listens to the participants of the YALI programme, one would hear incredible stories of people doing different things and find out that they were selected on the strength of their achievement and qualifications and not because of their social strata or economic class. I think the same should be applied when implementing policies and projects in Nigeria. It should trickle to those who really need it and be devoid of influence.
What can Nigeria learn from the fellowship?
There are several lessons Nigeria can learn from this fellowship. Telling the youths they are leaders of tomorrow means absolutely nothing if they are not prepared for the leadership roles. Knowledge must always be updated and there should be a clear roadmap for engaging the youths. Leadership does not always mean holding a position.
How has running a social venture affected your life?
I run a non-governmental organisation, Brown Button Foundation, which trains birth attendants and a social venture, Mothers Delivery Kit, which provides delivery kit for use at childbirth. Running these organisations can be tasking but I have an awesome husband who supports me and a dedicated team that makes our work seem effortless. Being in the world of development and seeing the real challenges on ground make you more appreciative and value everything in life.
Tell us about yourself
I am from Ogun State, but I grew up in Lagos. I am the second of five children. I attended Federal Government College, Ogbomoso and Obafemi Awolowo University. I am a Global Change Leader selected by the Coady International Institute Canada, an Unreasonable Institute Fellow and 2014 YALI Fellow.
How do you unwind?
I like to sit back, with my legs up on the couch and watch a nice action movie with my husband.
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