‘When you don’t have money, you are disable’
First
Ladies in Nigeria have since the 80s played a prominent role in the
country’s national life starting with the Better Life for
Women project initiated by Late Mrs. Maryam Babaginda.
In Bauchi, Hajiya Abiodun Hauwa Isa Yuguda, wife of the Executive Governor Bauchi State, has quietly been working on some of the ‘denied’ members of the society through her NGO thatfocuses on people with various forms of challenges.
Hajia Isa Yuguda spoke on her own challenges running an NGO
trying to restore hope and confidence to people; and why the
priviledged in the society must strive to help those not so
privileged. She spoke with Baobab’s Oghale Adewumi Okrikata
John in Bauchi.
Let’s get to meet you Ma?
My name is Hajiya Abiodun Hauwa Isa Yuguda, wife of the Executive
Governor Bauchi State, my parents are Rtd. Major Z Omalade,
Mrs. Olufumilayo Omalade (both late) from Abeokuta I had my
primary and secondary school education in Lagos; secretariat studies
in Secondary School and in Kaduna and Ilorin respectively.
Started work with the Head of Service of the Federation,
before joining the Internal Affairs, Custom Services and then
retired in 2004. I am the Gimbiyar Liman Katagum, I was given
the chieftaincy title on the 12the April 2008, which means Princess
Liman Katagum. I am blessed with children.
How was your growing up days like?
As the daughter of a military officer, my father was very strict. The driver
takes us to school and before closing time, the driver is back to pick us. My
father never wanted us to mix up with people; we do not receive visitors - my
father was a disciplined person. I only had the opportunity to mix up when
in secondary school. It was when in secondary school that I discovered
that people were suffering and I found myself always wanting to be of
assistance to people. Sometimes I wondered how I got things to help people; I
always had something to give out. I continued with that down to this day
and God then gave me the opportunity to serve people in a big way.
Did you ever think of being where you are today?
I never thought my husband would be a governor. But I have always thought of
taking care of the less privileged which is what I have been doing for a
long time. I never knew I would have the opportunity to be the wife of the
governor. But I have always prayed that God should allow me to touch lives
positively for a very long time and I knew He will give me the opportunity.
What are the challenges you faced in trying to assist the less privileged?
I have challenges funding my NGO but as you can see I have over come that to a
large extent because; I have been able to do a lot of things on my own.
Like I said earlier, this privilege of helping people is what I have been
praying for and doing for a very long time; long before I became a first
lady. It is something I am used to. I don’t have to wait for anybody to
assist me if I need to do something. God has blessed me in His way. I make my
money. I have the opportunity of having allowances and I use all to touch those
less opportune because I do not need clothing and jewelries anymore and I
do not feel pain in doing so. But I know if I have a lot of assistance, I
would do more - touch more lives. My ultimate dream is to make people to
be self reliance. For example, people have died because they lacked five
hundred naira. Because people are not self empowered they suffer for it -
poverty has done a lot of damage to the less privileged. I feel compelled to
contribute my quota by making them self-reliant so that they can assist
themselves and others too. This is why I floated this NGO - Challenge Your
Disability Initiative (CYDI). It is broad in scope because disability is
very wide. When on drug as a drug addict, you are disabled; when you don’t
have money, you are disable; a lot of people suffer mental, environmental,
social and physical disability. I want to be able to assist as much as
possible, I want to make people fight whatever thing that may have stood
on their way to success. I want to make people to believe in themselves
again so that so that they can do what they think they cannot do. My passion is
to assist the needy. My constant prayer is God to always assist me to help
people who are less privileged, needy and disabled. The assignment is
quite enormous but I believe with the assistance of God, I will make
maximum impact. I would not want the situation where people would come to me and
I am not able to assist them. I want God to give me the assistances and the
opportunity to do more.
Who are your role model?
My late mum, Mrs. Fumilayo Omolade, Mrs. Elena Roosevelt once first Lady United
States and Mother Theresa. My mother taught us a lot when alive. She made
us to know that only God can do what ever we sought for in life. She
taught us to pray everyday, and when faced with challenges, she taught us
to rely on God for all my provision and be patient. She taught us not to
envy people but to love, appreciate and sacrifice for people, that is why I am
able to do what I am doing today.
How have your role models shaped your life?
When Elena Roosevelt was the first lady, she operated an open door policy; she
went out to meet the less privileged, took care of them, showed them love,
cared for them and she brought them close to her and changed their lives.
She also assisted her husband too, because her husband was a crippled, she
was always working, canvassing for support for her husband. I have also
learnt the value of love in mother Theresa; she showed a lot of love, she
sacrificed to take care of other people, I have learnt a lot from these great
women that are my role models.
As a mother what word do you have for other mothers?
Women should be able to take care of everybody. A mother should not
discriminate; a mother is always a mother to all. If you see other children
doing anything bad, call them to order. They should also support their
husband, keep an eye on their children, be close to them, know their
friends, know where they go, advise them and do not allow communication gap. For
in stance, these youths on drugs, if a mother is close to her children, she will
surely notice some signs and be able to checkmate the evil. Today, we are
faced with the negative vice of human trafficking. As mothers, we have to
fight it together. People in this kind of illegal business are selfish and and
inhuman. As mothers, we should do all within our power to stop child and drug
abuse.
What word for the youths?
Our youths should be bold, they should be able to face challenges; they
shouldn’t think or be caught in the web of getting rich quick. They should
work hard to earn a living; they should develop the fear of God, because
they are the leaders of tomorrow and should be ready to be good leaders of
tomorrow.
How do you connect with your husband’s success as the governor of this state?
I have always prayed for my husband, I advise him at times, since nobody is
perfect. But most importantly, I commit his course to the hands of God. My
husband has the fear of God; he is patient, humble and a man of selfless
sacrifice. He is hard working, generous to the poor and needy even before
he became the executive governor. He believes strongly in the supremacy of God
in every human endeavor.
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