Dame Okah-Donli is one of Nigeria’s brilliant and beautiful women doing exploits on international platforms. She has proven beyond doubt that she’s not only a leader but a change-maker. Her doggedness and resolute commitment have rewritten the narrative that belittles or undermines the strength of a woman.
She
was the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the UN Voluntary Trust Fund for
Victims of Trafficking in Persons.
While
serving as the Chair, Dame Okah-Donli brought her invaluable expertise in human
trafficking to the Trust Fund as the Director-General of the National Agency
for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) in Nigeria since 2017
and has long been a global voice on Trafficking in person issues.
During
her tenure at NAPTIP, she successfully lobbied the government of Nigeria to
extend its whistle-blowing policy to human trafficking issues, positively
impacting the reporting of this crime in her home country.
Brilliant
and beautiful Dame Julie Okah Donli who is now the Executive Chairman of Root
Foundation was interviewed by City People Business Development Manager. BUNMI
DUROJAIYE, and spoke about her new career in humanitarian service. Enjoy
excerpt
Congratulations
on your new job. Tell us about it.
I
am the Chair of the board of trustees, United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund for
Victims of Trafficking in persons. The Trust Fund offers financial, legal, and
humanitarian support in the form of grants to victims of human trafficking and
non-governmental organizations involved in offering such support. Basically, my
job is to ensure that such support is given to the right NGO and to ensure the
proper utilization of such resources alongside other functions peculiar to the
position.
As
the Executive Chairman of Roost Foundation, I am saddled with the responsibility
of ensuring that the Foundation keeps up with its mandate of offering
financial, humanitarian and legal support to victims of human trafficking,
sexual and gender-based violence. Roost Foundation also has a skill acquisition
centre, guidance and counselling unit, etc and alongside other members of the
board of trustees, it is my duty to ensure that we provide a safe haven for
victims of human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence.
Which
of the jobs is more demanding and why?
I
would say that both jobs are equally demanding. From my job as the
Director-General of NAPTIP to my job as the chair, board of trustees of UNVTF
and as the Executive Chairman of Roost Foundation, all jobs have their
truckload of responsibilities and sacrifices.
For me, the job description is what matters and not the office or
portfolio attached to it. NAPTIP, UNVTF and Roost Foundation have similar areas
of thematic concern which is fighting the scourge of human trafficking, sexual
and gender-based violence and therein lies my job description.
As
the Director-General of NAPTIP, although the agency has a national outlook, I
have had experiences where we have had to travel outside the shores of the
country for seminars and even rescue operations. The United Nations Voluntary
Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking is a more decentralized platform
because the trust fund can be accessed all over the world and so it is right to
say that we deal with victims at the international level. Roost Foundation is
also limitless in its scope. This means that the Foundation has the capacity to
attend to both local and international cases. This is quite capital intensive
and this comes with lots of challenges and sacrifices.
Politics
is around the corner, what is your take on more women in Politics?
Having
more women in politics is a great idea as long as the motivation stems from a
genuine love for the masses and the need to offer selfless service to the
country. Women are natural leaders and homemakers, they are compassionate and
goal-oriented and goal getters and these are some of the core virtues that
leaders should possess. In Nigeria, I believe that we have many women of
substance who will make awesome political office holders and so such women
should be encouraged to leave the comfort zones of their homes and seek
elective positions.
On
the other hand, women should also, learn to support their fellow women when
they indicate interest in seeking elective positions. Every woman cannot become
a political office holder but all women can offer support to those who are bold
enough to take the bull by the horn. Women must resist the syndrome of women
pulling down women and focus on cheering other women to victory rather than
allow the men to manipulate them by convincing them that women cannot support
or work with other women, we must change the narratives and mindset.
You
have a unique and exceptional style statement, describe your fashion sense.
Fashion
for me is not just what we wear. It is how we wear it and how it reflects our
personality. That is why you can have more than one person wear the same thing
yet one person stands out. This happens because it is not just about what you
wear but how you put it together and carriage
In
simple terms, I will describe my fashion sense as simply elegant, classy and
comfortable. Elegant because I like to dress well because how you are dressed
in most cases influences how you are addressed. I like dresses that suit the
occasion and of course, the weather and I like to feel comfortable and unique.
Also, I see fashion as an art that can be used to pass across different
messages. That is why some of my dresses and fashion accessories scream against
human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence. I have my style and
signature, I do not copy others I just create my style. That is what stands you
out all the time. I see some people trying to copy my style e.g tying a scarf
around the neck etc I just smile because it means my dress and style sense is
being noticed and appreciated.
Please
tell us about your hobby.
My
hobbies are easy to identify. I like to serve as the voice of the voiceless in
society. I like to fight for justice and ensure that the human rights of the
less privileged are not violated. This is what motivated me into studying law.
I also like to read and write and travel because it gives me the opportunity to
meet new people and learn about other peoples’ way of life and how I can
influence them positively love to dance and cook and play golf.
Tell
us about Roost Foundation
Roost
Foundation is a Non-Governmental organisation that is committed to preventing
all forms of Human Trafficking, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
OUR
FUNCTIONS
To
Liberate and uplift the vulnerable To provide access to justice To prevent and
eliminate the scourge of Trafficking in persons and sexual and gender based
violence in Nigeria To provide Medical, Financial, Legal and humanitarian aid
and to ensure their rehabilitation and integration into the society.
OUR
AREAS OF WORK INCLUDE
Human
Trafficking victims Women, men and children Victims of sexual exploitation
Victims of domestic and gender based violence Global outreaches Victims of
social injustice.
HUMAN
TRAFFICKING
Human
trafficking is a crime against humanity because it infringes on the victims
right to freedom of movement and association.
SEXUAL
AND GENDER BASED ABUSE
This
involves all types of sexual, physical, emotional, psychological and domestic
exploitation, Child labour and female genital mutilation.
VIOLENCE
AGAINST PERSONS
• No to sexual abuse • No to slavery and
forced labour • Freedom of movement • No to child trafficking • No to female
genital mutilation • No to organ trafficking.
YOUR
RIGHTS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY
You
have the right to freedom of movement and association but this must be done
without Infringing on the rights of others. Be responsible by reporting any
suspected act of human trafficking and violence. IF YOU SUSPECT SOMETHING SAY
SOMETHING AND DO SOMETHING If you suspect any case of human trafficking or any
form of abuse, please send a complaint to: OUR SERVICES: • Public Outreaches
and community engagements,
•
Awareness/Sensitisation • Guidance and counselling services • Pro bono Legal
services for victims • Humanitarian Aid • Complaints desk/E-complain •
Rehabilitation • Skill acquisition • Radio talk show • Public and community
health programmes • Psychosocial support • Social, educational and economic
empowerment
Complaints can be sent to Roost Foundation
Office:
No.
6, House, 1OB, Cairo Street Wuse II, Abuja. +2349070343838, +2348037870683
[email protected]
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