When greatness is inherent, it doesn’t hesitate to show itself at every opportunity. Greatness inherent in Nigerians is one that hasn’t ceased to find expression over time. Meet Olasunbomi Iginla Aina, one of Nigeria’s greatness personified.
Olasunbomi is a 42-year old woman who has nurtured three grown-ups. She is the Chief Executive Officer of the renowned Light Up Foundation, a non-governmental organization with a unique vision to improve child rights, empower youths and provide respite for the less privileged.
The organization acts as a fortress and inspiration to young people by providing succour, proferring advice and lending a hand of assistance. The organization does this through educational programmes laced with tips for advancing in life. They also act as a resource investing in young people by developing their skills, capacities, and capabilities.
The foundation, founded in 2000, over two decades now, has impacted lives with a record of over ten thousand beneficiaries of their good works across Africa and Europe.
Olasunbomi is currently a Nigerian in the diaspora. Though not in her home country she’s been a loyal ambassador. She has contributed meritoriously to serving the world in her capacity. Research has it that she is fondly addressed as Nigerian Youth Philanthropist and Advocate.
It is noteworthy to know that all her good works are being recognized part of which earned her a title as one of the distinguished Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, among thousands of nominees on November 26, 2019.
In 2021, Olasunbomi decided to reach a wider audience. This was revealed in an exclusive interview with her in this blog. A summarized manifesto answering why she decided to run for the Global Non-governmental organizations Executive Committee (GNEC) election says, “I sought a higher office with the intent of doing on a larger scale the things I have been doing for close to thirty years. I believe in working with the GNEC in a star-studded team of fellow visionaries. I hope that we should be able to push the frontiers of development agenda across the world in meeting up with the expectations of the electorates. God help me, my strong organizational skills, experience and creative capacities will no doubt be a good resource for the work of the GNEC. This will also be of immense benefit to organizations across the globe. I am happy to share my knowledge and expertise, to the benefit and empowerment of civil societies across the globe. I also hope to bring to the table, ground-breaking ideas and solutions to help the Executive team.”
Gracefully, Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE won the worldwide election as she became the Director-elect of the Global Non-governmental organizations Executive Committee (GNEC) which is the representative organ for all Non-Governmental Organisations(NGO) associated with the United Nations, alongside other 17 individuals which formed the GNEC whose duty is to act as the liaison between the NGO community and the United Nations(UN) through the Department of Global Communication of the UN.
It’s such a well-deserved victory. We celebrate our very own, Olasunbomi Iginla Aina.
