Global Youth Coalition Member Feature: Olufunke Afesojaye

 

1. Where are you connected right now? Tell us about the work you're doing.
I am a development expert who specializes in the development of institutions for the betterment of the world. I’ve worked with different organizations to implement projects, mobilize communities, create awareness, collect data, and more. I am passionate about rural development and people in hard-to-reach communities. I’ve served in communities that have faced insurgency where I contributed to the development of that community because I am passionate about development.

My projects in the community include; the construction of two public convenience stores for the community members, inclusion in the bid to promote healthy living among adolescents and adults, and the distribution of sanitary pads to young females. As a gender advocate, I’ve worked with women, girls, and adolescents to realize their potentials. It is my duty to inspire women of today and that of the next generation to let them know that they have a voice that matters in the world.

2. How did you first get involved in road safety and how long have you been working in the road safety and sustainable mobility field?
I first got involved in road safety through the 2nd World Youth Assembly in 2019. I organized a youth consultation with some brilliant minds where we highlighted efforts that could be done to alleviate road crashes - which has claimed a lot of lives in Nigeria, especially the rural communities. The youth consultation enabled me to raise awareness on road safety with my peers.

3. Can you tell us a little bit about the road safety and sustainable mobility situation in your area?
There are various means of transportation in Nigeria. Transportation through the road offers the most accessible means of mobility but it is also one of the most noted causes of deaths in Nigeria with over 6,000 road-related death and 39,000 injuries recorded each year. Most crashes are the result of bad roads, driver behavior, and the state of vehicles operating on the road. It saddens me that when this occurs, marginalized people and families are often the victims. To produce positive road safety outcomes, strong management in all aspects of road safety needs to be in place. The focus should be placed on both rural and urban areas.

4. Why do you think it's important to include young people in local and global road safety efforts?
Young people make up the majority of the world population and sidelining them is like tossing the future to the wind. If we intend to build the future we imagine, we need young people at the decision-making table from the beginning to the end of the process. Young people are the major players as far as development is concerned. Engagement is a central principle in youth development. The world needs young people in local and global road safety efforts.

5. Why did you join the Global Youth Coalition for Road Safety?
My passion for development and my quest to be part of a group of young changemakers who will make roads safer for everyone globally made me join the Coalition. My abilities have improved through the many capacity development training session the Coalition has led. The Global Youth Coalition is a network of great people where everyone is valued and loved, it’s a place where young people are equipped with everything needed to make a lasting impact both locally and globally.

6. What are your comments on the Coalition? Its activities? Its opportunities? 
The Coalition is a place where everyone is well informed and where young people can build and develop their skills. Everything about Coalition is perfect; there are a series of capacity development sessions where everyone is equipped with everything necessary to make a lasting global impact. I am inspired by everything about Coalition.

7. Any messages for people who have not yet joined the coalition? 
If you haven’t joined Coalition, you will do well to join. You need to start making local and global impacts and the Coalition is a place where you will be equipped with all it takes to be a leader.