Lady (Ambassador) Judith Eyegho (MIHSD) is the founder of Shalom Vineyard Initiative (SVI), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) established in 2005.
In this exclusive interview, Ambassador Eyegho shares personal experiences on successfully running an NGO for two decades.
She spoke extensively with TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) on the challenges facing NGOs in Nigeria and how the challenges can be addressed.
Can we meet you? Tell us about yourself.
My name is Lady (AMB) Judith Edirin Eyegho (MIHSD). I am the founder of Shalom Vineyard Initiative (SVI). I studied Sociology and graduated from the University of Abuja in 2004. I also hold a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Lagos in 2012. I hold a Diploma in Data Processing Computer Science from the University of Lagos in 1992. I also hold an Executive Professional Certificate in Humanitarian Service/NGO Management from the Institute of Humanitarian Studies and Social Development, an institution affiliated with Abia State University in 2014.
Also, I hold an Executive Diploma in International Law and Diplomacy by Kingsland Foundation in partnership with La Plage Meta Verse in 2022 and also a Certificate of participation in international Volunteering level 2 from the same foundation. I was appointed as an International Peace and Security Ambassador of Kingsland Humanitarian Foundation in 2022.
I am an alumna of the University of Lagos Postgraduate School, an Associate member of Institute of Humanitarian Studies and Social Development. I am a member of the Committee for the Defense of Human Right and a member of West Africa Women Association (WAWA). I am also a member of US Information at American Centers, formerly Information Resource Centers.
Tell us about your organisation and how it has evolved over the past 20 years.
Shalom Vineyard Initiative (SVI) is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and other key government parastatals like the Federal Ministry of Education, Ministry of Foreign Affairs – ECOWAS Division, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), etc.
SVI was inaugurated on the 10th of March 2005 by the late former First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Mrs. Stella Obasanjo with a national theme programme to “Catch Them Young for a Greater Nigeria”. The programme took place in Lagos and Delta States in 2005 to enlightened youths on the danger inherent in drug abuse.
This programme metamorphosed across West Africa countries in our annual summit known as “ECOWAS Youth Summit”, where we bring together diplomats, young people from the ECOWAS region to interact and share ideas on important social and economic issues affecting them.
The ECOWAS Youth Summit is committed to fostering peaceful coexistence among youths in the ECOWAS region. The essence of this programme is to promote patriotism, cultural diversity, instilling strong moral values among youths, and global understanding of our cultural heritage, whereby promoting empowerment, academic excellence, equipping students with public speaking skills and empowering them to become articulate orators. The Summit also unleashes their potentials for growth, self-development, promoting regional peace and stability.
The summit also aims to amplify young people’s voices for a more inclusive political decision-making process that pertain to the region and also promote peace processes that encourage harmonious coexistence among members’ state.
The Summit was first held at the ECOWAS liaison office in Onikan, Lagos State in the year 2010. Previous editions have been holding since 2016 till date at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs. However, the edition in 2014 took place at the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja.
Whereas the “ECOWAS Ambassadors Student Diplomatic Conference Tour” is a conference that takes students to other West Africa countries and exposed them to the ECOWAS Protocol 1979 on free movement of citizens. This is where we exposed students on international diplomacy, peace building, conflict resolution and bilateral relationship with Nigeria and other ECOWAS member states.
The trip also educates the students on the rich cultural heritage that can be found in the region while they equally interact with the leaders within the visiting countries.
What are some of your favourite memories from the past 20 years?
It has been a nostalgic journey for the past twenty years of engaging in humanitarian work. While some of these memories comes with laughter that reminds us some memories that cannot be forgotten, some came with pain. The joy of it all, particularly is when you are making an impact in the lives of those you are called upon to work for, most importantly when you are making progress in what you are doing, when you see those who have given up in life and are being transformed, bringing hope to them again to bounce back to life – giving up addiction and embracing a responsible life, nothing gives me joy than that.
That was the genesis of the establishment of the organisation, and I thank God that I yielded to the call of God to do this. Who knows what would have become the lives of those young men who were wasting their lives on drugs addiction if I didn’t make myself available for this mission?
The joy of seeing them turning a new live from waywardness to responsible and patriotic citizens is one thing that really gladdens my heart, giving them hope and sense of belonging to live a fulfilled life. With all sense of humility, I am grateful that God found in me a vessel He can use to transform lives.
Another unforgettable memory that got me thinking was the day we rolled out the organization’s first workshop in 2005. We had written to the office of the then First Lady, Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo. Honestly speaking, I never knew she will respond, but to my greatest surprised, she responded to identify with our vision. To me and to the members of the organisation, it was a great privilege. We were highly honoured by her acceptance.
That single act that she showed to us, was a testament of her inestimable character that she possessed, very humble and sociable, a detribalized Nigerian with a big heart that accommodated everyone. She was an epitome of a true mother of the nation. She was very accessible as the first female citizen of the nation. She was one lady that will not play politics with her office, because she believed that the office of the first lady must not be politicized.
Another person was Mrs Mariam Babagida. When you talk about first ladies who have a compassionate heart and vision to serve humanity, these two past late first ladies should be given credence. The roles they played were very impactful in the lives of the citizens. They had passion for the nation and that is why they can identify with anyone that have solution to problems confronting the nation, without adding sentiments nor politicking their role position in nation building. Unfortunately, the cold death snatched them unexpected from us.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them?
For an individual to run an NGO without being sponsored by the government, your guess is as good as mine. If you are running an NGO for the virtue of the position you are holding, for example first ladies NGOs, they are not there because they have passion or vision to serve but for the fact of the position they occupy is what kept them there. They have access to unlimited funds to run their NGOs with ease, and that is why when they leave office, their NGO leaves with them.
That cannot be said with those God has placed a burden for them to serve humanity with little or no funding. But, one thing will keep you going, and that is passion and the zeal to save lives.
So, therefore, you cannot compare an NGOs that have financial backing of the government with an NGO that have to sort out its finances to operate.
Funding is one of the biggest challenges any functional NGOs will have. We have some NGOs whose passion are geared towards rehabilitation of mentally ill people, we have some that take care of elderly people and so many of them. Somehow, we support ourselves.
However, God will always show forth to raise friends and well-wishers of like minds to stand in a gap for the work to go on.
Again, being a self-sustaining organisation, we were able to think strategically on how to sustain our work and to fund the operational activities of the organisation and its yearly humanitarian programmes.
We came up with an annual publication of a magazine that showcases human capital development and promotes abundant natural resources that are found in the region. The magazine also provides high quality information relating to citizens’ rights, detailed report on international politics and diplomatic issues, leadership purpose and style, health, national and legal issues, etc.
The magazine complements the annual ECOWAS Youth Summit for sustainability along with school’s partnership.
In the past, MTN Nigeria and Nigeria Bottling Company (NBC) supported us with products sponsorship.
Funny enough, some attendees that attended the summit will still be expecting to collect the magazine free. Most times, we just give it out. I remember one particular year, one of our guests that unveiled one of the editions, after unveiling this particular edition, ordered that the magazine be shared to everybody, without rendering any financial support for the publication. That was how bad it was in some years back.
What are some of the most significant milestones or achievements from the past 20 years?
For the past twenty years, we have been able to established a trusted working relationship with other functional NGOs across borders. One of the significant milestones is being able to build a structural platform for youths across borders, where they can interact and share common ideas that will bring growth and economic development in the region.
As the summit progressed over the years, it has attracted huge participants from schools, educators, students, Corps members, government officials and diplomats who look forward to the summit every year.
The summit has become a much-anticipated annual event to deliberate on issues pertaining to the region relative to youths.
Knowledge derived from our summit has built the morale of ECOWAS citizens while promoting academic excellence among the students in the ECOWAS member states. The summit has paved ways for some students to be trained in the agriculture sector, diplomatic training with institutions from some of our speakers.
In one of our programmes, Let’s Unplug Camp Meeting, that promote innovative training, is an entrepreneur workshop with the objective of reducing crime rate, unemployment and dependency amongst the students through innovative training from diverse resource persons for youths to acquire skill acquisitions.
We have also engaged in community healthcare for the youths and the elderly on health matter for healthy living to promote physical wellbeing and wellness amongst the people in the community we reside.
As partner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), we engage citizens on interactive sections on community services and civic responsibility for the purpose of promoting good governance in Nigeria and around West Africa countries during and after elections.
Also we had partnered with Silverbird Galleria where we held a drug awareness programme titled: “Youth And Passion” for students and pupils in Lagos, where we created awareness on the dangers inherent in drug abuse and drug addiction alongside with the help of our partners National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC) – department of Drug Demand Reduction and both from the Federal and State command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
The organization further took a lead to create awareness with students on leadership career in conjunction with the Nigeria Navy and Nigeria Institute of Oceanography to enlighten the students in Lagos State on the activities of the Nigerian Navy in securing Nigeria waterways.
What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned over the past 20 years?
The most important lesson I have learnt over the past twenty years in humanitarian service is patience; enough patience to work with people, resilience and ability to work under pressure.
What advice would you give to someone just starting out on a similar journey?
I often tell people who think having an NGO is a fast track to amass wealth to think twice. Because, they will feel disappointed, rejected and discourage by situations they will find themselves. They will feel discouraged when the money they are looking for is not coming. For anyone who really means it, it is left for you to be resolute and undeterred to stand on what you believe, and that if you don’t have ulterior motive for wealth possession, you don’t have to wait for someone to encourage you, you must carry your cross and encourage yourself in the vision and the call of God upon your life.
Money, they say, answers all things. There is no doubt about that. We need money to keep the work going, but that should not be your weapon of wanting to do humanitarian work. Young people should make themselves available for volunteering work to gain experience and connections to go about their vision. But, most importantly, if God has not led it in your heart, you cannot go far.
Again, if you think running an NGO is a channel of getting foreign grants, you are making a mistake. Grants are not easily accessible; we have not gotten any either. Most grants go to government establishments and that is the truth, which I believe is totally unfair. Who does the field work? It is the private NGOs. They should focus on the functional NGOs and help them to get the work done.
How has your perspective or approach changed over the past 20 years?
I have come to realize over the years, as a humanitarian, that your motives as a leader when dealing with people does not matter. Rather, you focus on the things that will benefit the people more than yourself. In order words, you prioritize the interest of the people above your own interest.
What do you wish you had known 20 years ago?
The Bible says count it all joy, whatever situation you found yourself, be thankful because that is the wish of God for your life. I am one person that will not begrudge anyone simply you do not believe in my vision or because you did not give a helping hand when we knock on your door through our letters of sponsorship or support. I do not owe anyone, and no one owes me either but I am accountable to God who has called me to fulfill purpose. If I had known some of the strategies we adopted before now, perhaps we would have gotten to our promised land.
What are your hopes and dreams for the next 20 years and how do you see your organization evolving in the future?
Our vision has evolved beyond organizing programmes. We are creating a global platform where youth voices can be heard as part of our vision. We are establishing a monument of integration and entrepreneurship centre that will stand as a hub for conflict management and youth empowerment. This initiative will equip young people, particularly those in Delta State, with the necessary skills for productivity while building leadership capacity and lasting peace empowerment and progress in the Niger Delta region.
What challenges or opportunities do you anticipate facing in the next 20 years?
I am very optimistic, and as such, we are not anticipating to face any form of challenges that would draw us back by His grace. We inspire to move forward to have opportunity that will open a greater door for us to achieve our aim for nation building and continuously empowering the ever-teeming youth in the society to restore their dignity.
How will you continue to grow and adapt in the years to come?
As we engage to establish a Conflict Resolution and Skill Civic Centre project that would stand as a hub centre for empowerment and impactful programmes to meets the needs of the ordinary citizens for productivity and leadership capacity building, we hope to engage more on community town hall programmes to forestall any prevailing community crisis.
How has this journey impacted you personally?
It has not been easy over the past two decades. Sometimes, I wished I gained civil service job to work with my certificate early enough, where I do not need to negotiate my comfort and to top it up to have a well-deserved retirement bonus. Who pays an NGO? The most important and rewarding thing is that, I have been able to impact lives and transform minds that had almost given up on themselves.
What has been the most rewarding or fulfilling part of this experience?
I have been able to build around me, positive-thinking and likeminded people to work with me personally and as an organisation. God has surrounded us with people that believe in serving humanity selflessly. We have those who volunteer themselves to work with us selflessly. The joy of networking across different people in the ECOWAS region has been a more rewarding and fulfilling journey so far. We may not have all the connections now to get to our destined desire, but we are very optimistic that we will surely get there.
How has this experience shaped your values or priorities?
No one is an island. A tree cannot make a forest neither can a stool with one leg can carry one’s weight. Working and meeting people of different tribe, and colour has helped me over the years to re shape my values and prioritize them in the right perspectives.
You can’t know it all. You must be able to give rooms for the right opinion that could help to drive your vision. That is why, it saddened my heart, when some political appointed aide will make some unbelievable statements that intend to undermine the efforts of an individual institution that is working, which they themselves cannot if they found themselves in your shoe. Because their effort cannot withstand the strength you have invested over the years, they come up with irrelevant excuses of not wanting to assist to push your request. Those are the kind of people we see these days in government.
Bill Gate, the all powerful today, that most nations run to for one financial aid started somewhere, and I can bet you, he must have gotten one form of help or the other to get to where he is today. Nigerians that found themselves in a place of authority should do same.
What message would you like to share with others who have supported you along the way?
To all my friends, well-wishers and school’s partners, who have stood by us over the years and are still standing, we dedicate this twenty years anniversary to you for being there for us.
I always admonish younger people, to never forget three types of people in their life: those who believe in your course and helped you in difficult times; those who humiliated you and never see the good side of you and left you in your difficult times, and people who feel they are more superior than you, they cannot help you and yet put you in difficult times. All these people you will see on your way as you sojourn in trying to make progress in life.
That is why I am so grateful for all those who see the good in us and are willing to stand by us. We thank you all for your trust and unweaving support over the past two decades. Your commitment, trust and support have paved ways to save many lives.
We, therefore, want to assure you our total commitment to the service of our nation and humanity as we move into the next level of our organizational project. Your reward of partnership and support over the years will not be eluded. God will bless you really good as we sojourn in this humanitarian work.
At this juncture, I want to appeal to the government and corporate organizations to try and extend their hands of fellowship to support private functional NGOs, and not just state government NGOs. The rate things are going, very soon private NGOs will not be able to rent halls to hold their programmes. Renting of halls is becoming out of reach for many NGOs that are self-sustaining. How would you expect an NGOs that is self-sustaining to pay N5 million, even more, to rate a hall? Where will such organisation get that money from when it is not a government NGO?
Also, to the office of the First Lady, as a mother of the nation or the States you represent as First Ladies, do not politicize your office. Be open to work with the ordinary people that have ideas to offer for the betterment of our nation.
In the past, the first lady of Lagos state then — I am talking about the present First Lady Senator Mrs Oluremi Tinubu — will never attend any programme requested by the then first lady Chief Mrs Stella Obasanjo to represent her in any event because of political platform difference. She did that to us in 2005. We thank God her orientation has changed over the years. I guess that is why she is visiting other States that is not under her political platform. The office of the First ladies must be open for all right-thinking citizens who want the progress of our nation, they should take a cue from their past predecessors.
We therefore, seek for government support to fund functional NGOs that have made their impact in the society. We have made a lot of impacts; we need government and corporate organization to support us and the work we do. Thank you.