Q1. You have been playing an active role in fostering transformation within your community. Can you tell us about yourself, your background and the journey which led to becoming a 2024 Youth Activators Lab Associate at NGYouthSDGs?
Godwin Lasisi:
My name is Lasisi Godwin Onaolapo, and I am a young public health professional, SDG advocate, and serial volunteer. I graduated with a First Class Degree in Health Promotion and Environmental Health Education from the University of Ilorin. My journey towards becoming a 2024 Youth Activators Lab Associate with the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) is a story of resilience and purposeful direction.
The turning point in my journey occurred during my service year with the NYSC. As the best corp member in my CDS group, I was selected to represent my NYSC SDG CDS Group at the World Youth Skills Day Conference at Transcorp Hilton. This event was organised by the International Labour Organization in collaboration with UNICEF, the NGYouthSDGs, Africado, Youth Employ, and other youth-focused NGOs/CSOs, was a life-changing experience for me.
At that time, I was in the midst of a career crisis and on the verge of being removed from the NYSC program due to my inability to secure a Place of Primary Assignment (PPA) since leaving camp in May 2023. By the time I attended the WYSD Conference, I had already faced seven rejection letters from prospective PPAs.
However, the conference brought a profound shift in my reality and provided me with much-needed direction. The words of the speakers at the event were incredibly insightful. Segun Tekun from the ILO emphasized that dreams are valid with competence, Tonye Cole of Sahara Group taught the importance of an elevator pitch, and Aisha Tofa inspired me to leverage social media, particularly LinkedIn, to brand myself and my skills. Additionally, the wisdom shared by Mr. Richardson and Akin was invaluable and greatly shaped my journey. During the conference, I also met Mr. Rasheed, a delegate who would later become my mentor.
Inspired by the conference, I began following the Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) and its executive director, Mr Joshua Alade, along with other organisations on all their social media channels. My interest in NGYouthSDGs grew as I researched and realised their commitment which states, “for youth and by youth.” Eager to be part of this vibrant community, I turned on post notifications to stay updated on any opportunities.
After the WYSD Conference, I kickstarted my volunteering journey in FCT Abuja, driving and pioneering social impact with SDG-focused organisations. By the time applications for the Youth Activators Lab programme by NGYouthSDGs had opened, I had built a strong profile and was thrilled to be accepted. Despite facing 11 rejections in finding a PPA by September 2023, I remained confident, knowing that being with NGYouthSDGs provided a conducive community for growth, competence, and capacity-building to achieve my dreams. This journey has been challenging yet incredibly rewarding. The experiences and connections I have made through the organisation have significantly contributed to my development as a professional and as an advocate for sustainable development. I am excited about the future and the opportunities ahead as a 2024 Youth Activators Lab Associate.
Q2: It has been 6 months in the YAL program. What made you apply for the program initially and what has changed for you since you joined the program?
Godwin Lasisi:
Initially, I applied for the Youth Activators Lab (YAL) program because I was deeply inspired by the mission and vision of the NGYouthSDGs. After attending the World Youth Skills Day Conference, I was struck by their commitment to empowering young people and fostering sustainable development. The insights and motivation I gained from the speakers and my interactions at the conference solidified my desire to be part of a community that champions youth-led change and capacity building.
Being at a crossroads in my career during my NYSC service year, I saw the YAL program as an opportunity to gain direction, build competence, and connect with like-minded individuals.
The NGYouthSDGs focus which states “for youth and by youth” resonated within me, and I was eager to immerse myself in an environment that supported my growth as a young public health professional and SDG advocate.
Overall, the YAL program has been a transformative journey, equipping me with the skills, confidence, and network needed to make a meaningful impact in my community and beyond. I am grateful for the opportunity to be part of such an inspiring initiative and look forward to continuing to contribute to the goals of the organisation. Even after becoming a YAL Associate I still faced some rejections but I kept on building my competence and value through deep work and I finally got accepted to serve at the Federal Capital Territory Administration of Abuja Department of Public Health as I rounded up my service year in April 2024.
Q3: You have received training in personal leadership, systems thinking, establishing partnerships, advocacy, and understanding the SDGs, as well as webinars with global change leaders on the YAL program. Which of these areas did you find most interesting, and why?
It is difficult to select a single area of interest because this was my first experience being tutored in such a comprehensive and structured manner, making each session invaluable. Each training provided unique insights and skills that have been crucial in my development as a young leader and advocate. Here’s a line from each session that resonated deeply with me:
- Personal Leadership with Mr Hammed Kayode (KayFactor): Aligning personal values with leadership goals is crucial for authenticity.
- Systems Thinking and United Nations SDG Agenda 2030 with Mr Joshua Alade: Understanding the interconnected nature of societal issues is key to developing comprehensive solutions.
- Understanding the SDGs with Miss Boluwatife Ajayi: Targets within the SDGs serve as desired outcomes, while indicators are crucial for measuring progress towards these objectives.
- A-Z of Advocacy with Ruth Chidimma Okafor: Thorough research and evidence-based arguments are essential for strengthening advocacy efforts.
- Policy Engagement with Onome Okwah: Navigating policy frameworks and legal structures is crucial to effectively influencing policy decisions.
- Building Strategic Partnerships for Systemic Change with Joshua Adedeji: Successful partnerships are built on the foundation of leveraging diverse strengths and resources to create a greater impact.
- Lessons from Global Change Leaders with Dr. Oluseyi Soremekun: Leveraging global opportunities fosters cross-cultural understanding and expands networks on a global scale.
- Each session enriched my understanding and equipped me with the tools necessary to drive meaningful change within my community and beyond.
Q4: Can you share an example of how you have applied the skills you learned in the YAL Programme to your work or personal life?
Joining the YAL program six months ago, several significant changes have occurred in my personal and professional life:
- Enhanced Skills and Competence: The program has provided me with comprehensive training and resources that have significantly enhanced my skills in public health, advocacy, and project management. I have developed a deeper understanding of sustainable development goals and how to effectively contribute to their achievement.
- Increased Confidence and Direction: The structured support and mentorship within the YAL program have given me a newfound sense of confidence and direction. I no longer feel lost or uncertain about my career path. Instead, I am equipped with the knowledge and tools to navigate my professional journey effectively.
- Expanded Network: Being part of the YAL program has connected me with a diverse network of passionate young leaders and professionals. These connections have been invaluable for sharing ideas, collaborating on projects, and gaining insights from different perspectives. The sense of community within the program has been incredibly empowering.
- Practical Experience: The hands-on experience gained through various projects and being recommended to moderate webinars and be delegates at national level and international level conferences has been instrumental in translating theoretical knowledge into practical application. Working on real-world challenges has honed my problem-solving skills and reinforced the importance of community engagement and collaboration.
- Visibility and Opportunities: Engaging with the YAL program has increased my visibility within the development sector. I have been able to showcase my work and contributions through various platforms, leading to new opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and further professional development.
- Personal Growth: On a personal level, the program has fostered a growth mindset and resilience. The challenges and learning experiences have pushed me to step out of my comfort zone, embrace new opportunities, and continuously strive for excellence.
Q5: Congratulations on winning your first seed grant! Can you tell us more about winning the grant, the project, and its impact on the students, especially as you used the NGYouthSDGs SDG Playbook?
Thank you so much! I am excited and proud to share the success story of the Interfaith Alliance for SDG Action Plan (IASAP) in Jos, Plateau State. This project is close to my heart and builds on the lessons and journey from my NYSC service in FCT Abuja.
During my National Youth Service Corps, I identified a significant gap in youth engagement and awareness around the SDGs in my community. To address this gap, I initiated the INTERFAITH ALLIANCE FOR SDG ACTION PLAN, a project supported by the United Religions Initiative (URI), CASS Educational Foundation (CASSEF), and NGYouthSDGs.
Project Overview:
IASAP aims to integrate the SDGs in schools through clubs and societies, leveraging interfaith collaboration as a tool for young people of diverse faith backgrounds to foster the SDGs in their school communities. The project’s success received commendation and recognition from the Office of the Senator FCT – Abuja and the SDG Support Services of FCT Abuja. Additionally, through volunteering with CASS Educational Foundation we secured a seed grant from the United Religions Initiative to expand the project to other secondary schools in Nigeria.
Impact and Implementation:
To ensure the sustainability of the project, we effectively used and donated coloured printed copies of the SDG Playbook produced by the NGYouthSDGs containing 200+ ways to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in their school community to train students, principals, and teachers in FCT Abuja during the pilot project and finally Plateau State. With the aid of the seed grant, we facilitated a training workshop addressing interfaith dialogue and collaboration among youths in Jos, a community known to be a flashpoint for religious crises.
Key Achievements:
-Training and Empowerment: Project IASAP has successfully trained and empowered over 7500 students from diverse faith backgrounds across Plateau State and FCT Abuja. These students are now united in driving sustainable development and are becoming a generation of committed change-makers for SDG action.
– Interfaith Collaboration: The project fostered a spirit of collaboration among youths of different faiths, promoting peace and unity while working towards common goals.
– Recognition and Support: The project has gained recognition from notable bodies including the FCT Department of Public Health, FCT SDG Support Services, Office of the FCT Senator, United Nations Green Academy to continue expanding its reach and impact and has received support from Girls for Climate Action (GCA) in Collaboration with The Global Initiative for Food Security and Ecosystem Preservation (GIFSEP), Association of Flower Nurseries, and Landscaping Practitioners, Abuja (AFNALPA), The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), Center for Journalism Innovation, and Development (CJID) and Vote4Climate who partnered with me to plant over 20 Trees across 4 select secondary schools during the pilot project in Abuja.
Winning this seed grant has been a monumental step in my journey, enabling me to scale my efforts and create a lasting impact on the students and their grassroots communities. Through IASAP, we are building a foundation for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Q6: As a budding changemaker, what are your future goals in driving systemic change in your community and globally?
As a budding changemaker with a deep-rooted passion for public health and sustainable development, my future goals are centred around leveraging my expertise in public health to drive systemic change and contribute significantly to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). I am particularly passionate about SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
Global Impact: On a global scale, I aspire to collaborate with international organisations and networks to share best practices, knowledge, and resources. By participating in global forums and contributing to international projects, I aim to amplify my impact and contribute to the collective effort towards achieving the SDGs.
In summary, my future goals as a changemaker involve leveraging my expertise in public health to pioneer initiatives that drive systemic change, both locally and globally. Through dedicated efforts in health, education, climate action, and peacebuilding, I am committed to creating a sustainable and equitable world for all.