She came into global reckoning three years ago as a nine-year-old activist. In quick succession, Zuriel Oduwole, an American of Nigerian and Mauritian parentage, has interviewed more than 13 African Presidents and leaders of thought on the continent. Now, 12, she is currently teaching young Nigerian pupils the benefits of personal hygiene.
That indeed was the message that took her to the Straitgate School, Magodo, Lagos, on Tuesday. Dressed casually, Oduwole started on the plane of motivation for the pupils. She introduced her programme, Dream Up, Speak Up, Stand Up, through which she inspires girls across the world to dream bigger.
“What’s your dream?’’, Oduwole asked a grade five pupil who responded that she wanted to be lawyer.
“Now that’s a big dream. You have to remain focused, work hard and believe in yourself. Do not listen to anyone who says you cannot be something just because you are a girl. I want to be the president of the United States of America because I will be able to help the US and Africa as well,’’ she said.
Besides, the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa has thrown up a challenge to the youngster. Oduwole, a grade nine pupil, wants everyone to recognise that clean hands are the first step to good health. While distributing hand sanitisers to the pupils, she urged them to spread the message of cleanliness in their respective neighbourhoods.
After her lecture, a curious pupil asked Oduwole what could be done in situations where soap and sanitiser are not readily available.
“The first thing is to make sure that you do not touch your mouth, eyes and nose. Then you can get a paper towel to wipe your hands,’’ came Oduwole’s prompt reply.
The child activist also feels pained that more than 180 days since the abduction of no fewer than 219 female pupils of the Federal Government College, Chibok, Borno State, they have yet to be rescued. She advised the government to pursue every safe means of bringing them back.
“I do think it is really sad. I cannot imagine myself being taken away forcefully from my parents. I believe the government should do everything possible to get the girls back from their abductors. There are 10.5 million children that are out of school in Nigeria. I am inspired by girl-children and I believe we have a right to be safe and educated,’’ she said.
But Oduwole has not always been this bold. Her first interview was for a school documentary and it was with a former President of Ghana, Jerry Rawlings. Oduwole admitted that she was initially nervous but had to confront her fears.
“I was a bit nervous when I started but when I interviewed more and more leaders I became used to it,’’ she said.
The youngster’s project has taken her to many schools in Africa, where she motivates pupils to dream big. In fact, in appreciation of her efforts to serve humanity better, the Olympio School in Tanzania named a computer laboratory after her.
With many international trips and tasks to tackle, Oduwole said she still makes time to watch Tom and Jerry, her favourite cartoon. When her mom is not home schooling her, Oduwole spends her spare time reading Time magazine and novels.
Speaking to our correspondent, a Grade six pupil, Master Fola Olawepo, said Oduwole had inspired him not to give up on his dreams.
“She’s a nice girl. I want to become an accountant and she has inspired me to just stand up for my dreams,’’ he said.
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