Working with children, nurturing their potential is a calling I’m deeply committed to —Helen Akpabio, founder, She Cares

Helen Akpabio is a girl-child advocate, an educationist, and a human security enthusiast. She is the founder of She Cares Initiative. In this interview by KINGSLEY ALUMONA, she speaks about her work with children and young people, among other societal issues.

When did you realise you have a passion for children and young people?

It dates back to my university undergraduate days when I gathered children in my community and taught them Bible characters and songs. This experience showed me the joy of seeing young minds grow, learn, and engage  It became clear that working with children and nurturing their potential was not just something I enjoyed — it was a calling I felt deeply committed to.

 

You are the founder of She Cares. Tell us about it.

She Cares is an initiative born out of compassion and love for the girl-child. If your parents were/are able to send you to school, you need to be thankful.  I have seen girls whose parents couldn’t afford their school fees. Sometimes, I have had to empty my account for some girls when they share their experiences with me. At the time I was doing all this, She Cares was not conceived yet.  I was doing these joyfully and touching lives in my little way. I see myself in the girls and couldn’t leave them in their vulnerable state. Then, in 2021, She Cares was born.

She Cares objectives are anchored on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 4 and 5, which are Quality Education and Gender Equality. Since its inception, the organisation has embarked upon several projects in Ibadan, Oyo State. We organise annual inter-girls secondary school oratory competition, annual girls’ conference to celebrate the International Day of the Girl-child, and regular leadership and self-identity seminars.

We aim to foster a generation of confident, educated and empowered women who would lead positive change in their communities.

 

What is the latest project She Cares undertook?

The latest project She Cares undertook was the Summer Groove (My Girls and I) on August 14th at the Zoological Garden of the University of Ibadan. The impact was significant, as it provided the girls with essential life skills crucial for their development. We had facilitators who spoke on financial intelligence and etiquette. The project not only enhanced their knowledge but also boosted their confidence and morale.

 

You studied communications and language art, and later peace and conflict studies for your master’s, but seem to be more interested in teachers and education. Could you shed more light on this?

My academic background has influenced my career path. While I initially focused on broadcast journalism and communication, my experience in these fields opened my eyes to broader societal issues, particularly those affecting children and vulnerable groups.

I understand the profound impact education has on shaping individuals and communities. Through education, I believe we can address many root causes of conflict and inequality, especially for marginalised groups like girls, who often face additional barriers.

By providing educational opportunities and life skills to girls, I’m helping the next generation. Teaching isn’t just a job for me — it is a way to create lasting change and contribute to a more just and equitable society.

 

Some months ago, you organised a programme for secondary school students in Ibadan themed ‘Embracing and sustaining African values and culture through education’. Tell us about the programme.

The competition highlights the need for education to be used as a tool for sustaining and promoting these values so that African cultural heritage can be preserved for generations to come. The competition aimed to inspire young girls to become ambassadors of African culture and values, and to encourage them to actively seek ways to embrace and sustain these values through education and other means.

About 15 secondary schools participated in the oratory competition and the concept behind the topic is to remind our youths who they are and never forget their roots, as their self-identity is rooted in their history.

 

In Nigeria, what are those values you think are eroding that need to be sustained through education?

Traditionally, Nigerian culture places a high value on respecting elders and authority figures. However, with globalisation, there is a gradual loss of cultural identity among the younger ones. Homes and schools should emphasise the importance of respect, not just for authority but also for all individuals as a cornerstone of societal harmony. It is essential to sustain cultural education that includes the history, language, and traditions of the local communities.

The value of discipline, both personal and societal, is germane to the development of responsible citizens. Also, the rate at which indecent dressing is taking the stage is highly alarming. The traditional values of hard work are undermined by the allure of quick gains through shortcuts or unethical means. Parents are no longer asking questions.

Through informal education, we can promote the virtues of diligence, perseverance, integrity, and the understanding that success is the result of consistent effort. These are expensive gifts that money cannot buy. While parents should teach their children these concepts, schools should integrate lessons on ethics, moral values and the long-term benefits of honesty in personal and public life. Embedding these values into the educational curriculum and promoting them through various school and community activities, children can grow into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.

 

If you were the Oyo State commissioner for education, how would you address the out-of-school menace in the state?

This sounds like a research problem. The lack of effective data and statistics is one of our plights in Nigeria. If I were the Oyo State commissioner for education, the first question I would ask is ‘What led to the dropout?’  Many factors would have contributed to a child dropping out of school. What I would do is conduct a thorough survey to identify the exact number of out-of-school children, their locations, and reasons for dropping out. This would include gathering data on economic status, family background, and accessibility to schools.

I would identify and map areas with the highest concentration of out-of-school children to target interventions more effectively. I would work closely with community leaders, religious institutions, and local NGOs to sensitise parents and guardians about the importance of education. I would introduce scholarships and bursaries for children from low-income families to cover tuition fees, uniforms, and books. Implement a conditional cash transfer programme for families who enrol and keep their children in school.

I would collaborate with private and public sector stakeholders to invest in education, such as funding school construction or providing educational materials. For example, the organisation sponsoring Big Brother Naija could partner with me to bring back the children to the classroom when I pitch my proposal.

A robust monitoring and evaluation system would be established to track progress, ensure accountability, and make data-driven decisions. I would provide feedback mechanisms involving parents, teachers, and students to continuously improve education policies and practices. The goal is to ensure that every child has access to learning programmes, including children who cannot attend regular schools due to location or economic reasons.

 

You grew up in an era of no smartphones, internet, and digital games. The children you engage with are tech-savvy. Do you think these tech tools are affecting their value system and interpersonal relationships with their peers and families?

Technology is undoubtedly influencing the value system and interpersonal relationships of children today. Online content has altered the value system in the disguise of making money. It negatively promotes materialism, unrealistic standards, or negative behaviour which can alter a child’s values and beliefs. It reduces face-to-face interaction, as a heavy reliance on digital communication can reduce the amount of physical interaction with friends and family.

While technology provides valuable tools for learning and communication, it is important to guide children in using these tools responsibly to ensure that their value systems and relationships with others remain positive and healthy.

 

What do you think is the role of children and young people in making contemporary Nigeria a saner and peaceful country?

The role of children and young people in this regard cannot be underscored. They can be ambassadors of peace within their communities. They can challenge negative stereotypes, promote tolerance, and encourage dialogue. Young people, with their fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, can develop creative solutions to conflicts and societal challenges. By embodying values like honesty, integrity, and empathy, young people can set examples for others to follow.

 

What kind of support do you need to expand do work you do in She Cares to other states in Nigeria?

Expanding She Cares to other states in Nigeria would require a combination of strategic partnership, financial resources, and capacity building. Strategic partnerships with like-minded organisations in different states to facilitate entry and programme implementations is need too.

In five years, I see She Cares having a strong presence across multiple states in Nigeria, with well-established programmes that are widely recognised for their impact on girls’ education and empowerment. The initiative could evolve into a leading organisation in the field of girl-child education, offering mentorship programmes, scholarships and capacity-building on a national scale.

 

Your LinkedIn profile says you are into human security. Could you explain this aspect of your work?

I bagged my MA degree in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan. My area of specialty is human security. Human security is about the protection of people from critical and pervasive threats that can affect their lives, livelihood, and dignity. The concept was popularised in the 1994 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Programme (UMDP) which outlined two main components — freedom from fear and freedom from want.

The seven components of human security are interconnected and can be linked to the present situation in the country.

 

What other things do you do for a living, and how do you balance all the work you do with your family life?

I want to make more money. I’m thinking of venturing into the real estate business, hoping that it will yield positive results. I’m a young hustler, as far as it’s legitimately legit. Every woman is multitasking. I’m multitasking.

I find a way of balancing my work and family life.

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