H.R. Ersin Tatar President of Northern Cyprus acknowledges Lightup work – Successful Advocacy for African Youth.
After being contacted by African youths residing in Northern Cyprus, Olasubomi Iginla Aina took a significant step to investigate African students’ conditions in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), where approximately 30,000 Africans reside. This mission stems from a genuine desire to comprehend the issues they encounter, including their experiences with the government and educational institutions, aiming to improve their lives and welfare, addressing issues such as poor healthcare, labor exploitation, rent extortion, social justice, language barrier problem, and sexual assaults that had been reported. Olasubomi did not delay in responding to this call for help. It was covid period but she first started her investigations virtually. Olasubomi eventually traveled to the TRNC. Olasubomi’s work involved major investigatory visits to eight universities, the Government of TRNC, and holding meetings with African groups and students’ groups to understand their challenges and needs better. The positive impact of her visit was noted by:
Lisa Thandy Lucio Safrao – President African Student EMU North Cyprus.
“Olasubomi’s visit to North Cyprus has positively impacted the relationship between the University Authorities, government, and the foreigners most especially African students in North Cyprus.”
She also used the trips to meet with foreign prisoners as well as government officials and the National Association of Nigerian Students. Outcomes included the creation of a structured platform enabling religious groups to work more closely with the African community, the creation of a WhatsApp group to serve as a platform for enhanced engagement with the Nigerian community, and facilitating communication and support among students. the creation of a comprehensive mass awareness campaign in collaboration with several universities.
Her initiatives have led to tangible improvements in the lives of many students, providing them with a platform to voice their concerns and seek assistance. Her commitment to fostering a supportive community has been instrumental in creating a sense of belonging among African students, who often face isolation and discrimination in foreign countries.
Through her tireless efforts, Olasubomi has not only raised awareness about the challenges faced by African students but has also mobilized resources and support to address these issues. Her work exemplifies the impact of grassroots advocacy and the importance of community engagement in affecting change. Olasubomi had major advocacy work and mediation to promote a better life, acceptance, and welfare of African students in Northern Cyprus.
This entails, visitation of 8 Universities, meetings with African students in different groups, a Prison to meet foreigners behind bars, and meetings with government authorities. Please click to check the report of Olasubomi’s visit to North Cyprus:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/19Wlr41mzPszWPO3oAwTTbnD8U7HAXsSS/view
Major Steps Taken by Olasubomi concerning the North Cyprus matter.
- Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE, to address and tackle the prevailing challenges within the African community, engaged in a series of initiatives aimed at curbing various vices. To begin with, Olasubomi actively participated in discussions with African community groups to foster a deeper understanding of the issues at hand. This collaborative approach sought to find effective solutions that could be implemented collectively.
- Recognising the importance of partnerships and cooperation, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Turkish Zone and the African groups expressed their willingness to collaborate with Olasubomi and the Lightup team. This alliance signifies a unified front in addressing the challenges faced by the African community in Northern Cyprus.
- With the awareness that many Africans believe in religion, Olasubomi held a crucial meeting with African Religious Leaders in Northern Cyprus. A structured platform to enable religious groups to work in synergy with the African community, promoting harmonious coexistence within the region was formed.
- As part of the concerted efforts, NANS has taken the initiative to establish a WhatsApp group that serves as a platform for enhanced engagement with the Nigerian community. This digital forum provides a space for effective communication, enabling NANS and community members to share information, exchange ideas, and collaborate on finding solutions to identified issues.
- To ensure a wider reach and raise awareness about the North Cyprus mission, Olasubomi partnered with some Universities to create a comprehensive mass awareness. This awareness focused on addressing specific challenges such as the prevalence of fake documents, fraudulent agents, and the overall experience of life in Cyprus. By disseminating accurate information and highlighting the potential pitfalls, this outreach was used to empower individuals with knowledge and equip them to make informed decisions when deciding to study at TRNC.
In summary, Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE has taken a proactive approach to address the issues plaguing the African community in Northern Cyprus. Through engaging with community groups, forming new partnerships with organisations like Different African groups, collaborating with religious leaders, and utilising digital social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, WhatsApp, etc. These efforts as so far fostered a more organised, cooperative, and informed environment. By raising awareness and providing support, Olasubomi was able to mitigate the challenges faced by Africans in Northern Cyprus, ultimately working towards a more inclusive and harmonious community.
Language Barrier
During Olasubomi’s meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Northern Cyprus, Tahsin Ertugruloglu, and the Minister of Education Northern Cyprus, Nazim Cavusoglu, the concern regarding language barriers was raised. Both ministers acknowledged the existence of this problem and assured Olasubomi’s team that measures are currently being undertaken to resolve it. As at today, the government of North Cyprus has begun to employ Police officers who are proficient in the English language. The positive impact of her visit was confirmed by:
Gideon Jude (Ph.D., Msc, LLB) Senior Lecturer of Law, Girne American University.
“As a result of her intervention and continuous follow-up with the government of the country, more than 100 English-speaking police officers were employed by the government in May 2024. This was one of the issues raised during the intervention of Amb. Olasubomi. In the past police officers were not required to speak English and this has affected to a significant extent the credibility of the criminal justice system.”
CBN Money Transfer Policy
Nigerian Students in Northern Cyprus Struggle with Challenges Arising from CBN’s Money Transfer Policy
To address the matter of Nigerian CBN money transfers, Olasubomi promptly escalated this issue to the Nigerian government as well as engaging in educative discussions using mass media to advocate for a change in this policy. As of today, this Central Bank Policy no longer exists. This proactive approach highlights Olasubomi’s commitment to resolving the issue.
Olasubomi’s media advocacy against the central bank of Nigeria (CBN) money transfer policy affecting Nigerian students in North Cyprus https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/08/nigerian-students-facing-money-transfer-problems-in-northern-cyprus-gnec/
OLASUBOMI’S ADVOCACY TO STOP CBN POLICY
https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/09/22/nigerian-students-lament-fg-policy-on-money-transfer/
DISPLACEMENT OF ZAMFARA STUDENTS WITHIN NORTHERN CYPRUS
92 students on scholarship from Zamfara state Nigeria were going to be expelled from Cyprus International University CIU because their state government defaulted in the contract signed with the school authority. During and After Olasubomi’s advocacy work on behalf of the student in collaboration with NANS. Olasubomi had a mass media publicity to call the attention of the Zamfara government to the pending matter, after so much pressure, the government has started to remit payment to CIU, some of the students recently graduated from CIU in 2024.
Focus: To Prevent Young Africans within Northern Cyprus from becoming
displaced.
Advocacy To Prevent The Displacement Of Nigerian Students In Northern Cyprus
https://web.facebook.com/Lightupfdtn/posts/pfbid0tcbSjgrvdpyked4RdCfeSBxTkrndYoHToRhRBNrGDj7MTCgSmz8Gevx1rHeGLyutl?mibextid=eTXpx5
Advocacy to Prevent the Displacement of Nigerian Youths In Northern Cyprus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j1-obRvlwQ
Advocacy To Prevent the Displacement Of African Youth In Cyprus.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx6412tDwXc
Advocacy To Prevent The Displacement Of African Youth In Northern Cyprus.
https://web.facebook.com/644131382/videos/791051219434528/
Advocacy for Zamfara students in North Cyprus.
https://muckrack.com/bianca-iboma/articles
M. DAMAGE CONTROL FOR TURKISH REPUBLIC OF NORTH CYPRUS (TRNC) LINK
Before Olasubomi’s visit to North Cyprus, there had been bad news / negative publicity about TRNC the country the government and her people and this no doubt has affected the nation negatively in term if international image.
Persistent calls to boycott Northern Cyprus universities
Jesusegun Alagbe 15 September 2022
https://www.universityworldnews.com/post.php?story=20220914032959797
Olasubomi was concerned and decided to investigate the truth and when she visited Northern Cyprus, conducted investigatory meetings with the Government, Universities, Prison, African students, Nigerian students (who had more challenges in Northern Cyprus and is the largest population from the African continent). This major investigation was able to bring the truth to the fore. The discovery of Olasubomi’s investigation revealed the challenges of each identified stakeholder i.e. government, African students and the Universities. It became apparent that every stakeholder had a part to play in the matters arising and this revelation was shared globally and this served as a major Damage Control for the entire country.
Olasubomi encourages Nigeria government to strengthen diplomatic ties with the government of Northern Cyprus to assist Nigerian students.
https://www.pressreader.com/nigeria/the-guardian-nigeria/20230821/282054806579844
Olasubomi also used the opportunity of her visit to appeal for support for African youths whose countries are at war
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=280082564612127
