In 2015, I was privileged to be interviewed by HR Revolution Middle-east Magazine about our work at Noble Missions. So I thought I should share the interview here. The full interview can be viewed on their website here.

The Interview:

HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Would you tell us more about the history of NMI?

Charles Mentor Omofomwan: I started Noble Missions for Change Initiative – NMI (www.noblemissions.org) in 2005 as a student body called Noble Missions International to create awareness about the dangers of pre-marital sex and use of hard drugs. Over the years, the student body transformed to what is now known as Noble Missions for Change Initiative. It was registered in Nigeria in 2010 as a national nonprofit organization that focuses on empowering children by supporting their access to quality education.

HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Could you take us through the history of education in Nigeria?

Charles Mentor Omofomwan: As far as I know, education in Nigeria didn’t start with the colonial masters during the colonial rule. Informal educational system was already in existence as children learnt about culture and other relevant areas such as cooking, etc. from their parents at home and other informal gatherings. The formal (western) education, on the other hand, was introduced in the 1840s. Since then, education in Nigeria has witnessed tremendous growth although there is still a lot to do in the sector. Statistics show that literacy rate in Nigeria is 72.1% for male and 50.4% for female. Schools and enrolment rate have also been on the increase, but statistics still show that millions of children are out of school due to several reasons including poverty and insecurity.

HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: What is more important in Nigeria: food or education?

Charles Mentor Omofomwan: Generally, both are important. We need good education to produce food, and we need food to be able to receive good education. No one can learn on empty stomach, and no one can sustain the production of food without the right education.

HR Revolution Middle-East Magazine: Did you face any obstacles while launching your initiative and do you still face difficulties? Can you describe what you faced throughout your journey?

Charles Mentor Omofomwan: There have been so many obstacles which I have lost count of, but the most challenging obstacle has always been in the area of funding. As an individual, it was a big battle going through school with the support of a single mother who was a petty trader. Launching the organization required funds to register, employing staff, among other necessary expenditure. All other challenges are all tied up to the issue of getting the right funding.

Read the full interview here.