When you talk about humanitarian
services people tend to look to large international corporations and
organizations. We have forgotten that the true meaning of the word is to
promote human welfare, which certainly makes it an individual responsibility. However,
with the way things are today, unfortunately that is not the case. Commendably
there are few among us who still see it as a responsibility to help and assist
those under privileged members of the society. These are people like Jimeta
Umar, a graduate of Geology and Mining who has transferred his love for the
earth and what it contains to humans and obviously to the most beloved of our
species. We had interesting chat with this vibrant young man, here are the
excerpts. Enjoy!
The Northerner: Can we meet you?
Jimeta: Jimeta Umar is the
person sitting before you taking this interview. I am Fulani - from Adamawa State, Nigeria. I
am a graduate of geology and mining from the University of Jos. I like to think
of myself as simple, a near perfectionist and a shy young man, I usually hide
that bit though, and you never want to give people an advantage over you
because they will make you pay. I am quite a lover of the classics and the life
style it influences - from its unique fashion and attention to detail to the
music, art and philosophy. I am interested, (very interested I might add) and
actively involved in humanitarianism with particular reference to women and
girls. I guess that's about all I can manage about myself, hope I didn't disappoint.
The Northerner: You run an
NGO, can you tell us about it?
Jimeta: Well, Her Dear Diary Initiative (HDDI) is at the idea and think tank
stage. I like to just refer to her as an initiative for now, at least. That way
we don't get people's hopes too high. But HDDI is an empowerment initiative for
ladies and girls. It seeks to empower through capacity building, skills
acquisition and mentorship programs. HDDI utilizes what we term power projects
to achieve her objectives. At the moment, HDDI is currently running a basic
literacy project called HerWrite2Read for underprivileged girls at a community
in Sallari Babangiji area of Kano State. The idea is to spread this project
across communities in the state so that more girls can be reached and
illiteracy as a menace that has plagued the northern girl child will be
eradicated. Upcoming projects are in the pipelines but we like to go one
perfect step at a time. In the end and as time progresses, HDDI shall be
incorporated as a non-profit/non organization in Nigeria.
The Northerner: You seem
to be connected with the girl child initiatives, why is that?
Jimeta: Hmmm! I haven't really been able to answer that question,
maybe because I haven't really asked myself the question, so permit me if I say
it is because I like the female folk. I guess my connection with the girl child
initiative was born out of a compassionate empathy for the weak and helpless,
not that i see women and girls are weak and helpless but they have been dealt
an undue and unfair card of societal vices. For instance, they are amongst the
poorest, uneducated, most prone to diseases, and most vulnerable of the gender
identity. I would like to see these odds change and some sort of equity and
equality maintained for that sake of humanity and the survival of our race.
Hence I have put my hands to the plough to ensure that I am doing something
about it and not just saying something about it.
The Northerner: You have a project called Her Dear Diary Initiatives, can
you tell us about it?
Jimeta: Her Dear Diary Initiative (HDDI) is the initiative, the
umbrella, the mother ship as I mentioned earlier. We utilize projects to
advance our work. For instance our current ongoing project - HerWrite2Read is a
basic literacy project that seeks to help underprivileged girls with little or
no formal education develop basic reading and writing skills as this is very
important for the development of a person. Other projects are coming with final
modifications being made before their implementation. We like to approach our
projects on a step by step basis whereby each project finds a firm footing
before moving on to another and another and so it goes. In the end, the goal is
to ultimately empower girls by focusing on their early and formative years and
their prime and inquisitive ages.
The Northerner: What are your challenges so far?
Jimeta: Challenges, ah! We are faced with quite a lot of that at the moment, my
consolation however is that this is the stage we are in and with effort and
determination we can deal with them. HDDI is in its formative stage so
challenges are expected but with our hard work and tiny resources (which would
like more of), we are surpassing one challenge after the other one challenge at
a time. The major challenge we are faced with is the lack of adequate human
resource because this is very essential for our projects. Tutors, IT personnel,
project supervisors and managers etc. are all in very short supply at the
moment. Cash plays a vital role too but I believe that an idea has never really
been sustained by cash rather a dedicated and passionate work force and human
capital - cash just smoothens the process.
The Northerner: There are so many youths out there doing great
things in the little way they can, how can you motivate them?
Jimeta: First of all, kudos to all and every youth doing great things with
themselves and for their society and country as a whole. As a word or two of
motivation, never think that your selfless service is in vain and wouldn't be
rewarded. Just take a look at the lives you are impacting and ask "what
would be their fate if I stopped my service?" and usually these are the
questions that makes you unstoppable and great. So keep on, don't give up, be
happy with what you do and smile - your beneficiaries depend on it.
The Northerner: What are your expectations for the future?
Jimeta: My expectations are simple yet ambitious and altruistic. I look forward
to a future of love, opportunities for everyone - girls, boys, women, men,
young and old. I look forward to a future where there is a conscious effort by
all to strive for a healthy, efficient and complete human race. A world void of
all and any kind of violence, destruction and degradation of humanity and the
earth. A world where poverty has no business existing. A world where women are
empowered and enjoy their rights. A world where men protect rather than take
advantage of women. A world pretty much void of all the ill plaguing it.
The Northerner: Lastly, what do you have to say to the youths of
this country?
Jimeta: My fellow youths of our beloved country, firstly you have to be
patriotic - with patriotism comes a great deal of responsibility and to
navigate that responsibility to safe landings you must develop yourself,
educate yourself - I don't mean just attending school, I am talking of
illumination and awareness the kind that has you asking questions rather than
accepting all you are given and told. Solve your problems and ensure that you
grow with greatness and transformation as your ultimate goal.
You can reach Jimeta Umar via any of these channels:-
Mobile: 07038262246
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ujimeta
Email: jimetaumar@gmail.com
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