For a while now, Nation of Justice (NOJ), a nonprofit organization, has commenced humanitarian support for vulnerable citizens, especially women, people with disabilities, homeless and children.
The aid comes at a time when the West African nation is facing a deepening economic crisis and policy shift which critics have described as unfavourable to the poor masses in the country.
Amidst this, NOJ’s humanitarian assistance has moved from the country’s urban cities like Abuja and Lagos to hard-to-reach areas in the conflict-torn northern parts of the country, including cross borders, into other parts of Africa.
Beyond donation, the organization prides itself as a vanguard of demanding accountability in public institutions like the judiciary, upholding democratic principles while engaging the citizens with civic education.
Mr. Jyde Adelakun, founder, Nation of Justice (NOJ) in an interview, spoke to journalists at this year’s Iftar Community and Civic sensitization programme, organized by the NGO, at the National Mosque, Abuja. Mr. Adelakun, popularly known as Maleyccah, is a Nigerian philanthropist and business tycoon. An oil marketer par excellence with vast years of experience within and outside the country, he sits on the mantle of leadership at TOF Companies. The event was held to raise awareness on civic education and support all religions including Muslims who are just waving goodbye to the holy month of Ramadan.
In the interview, Mr. Jyde Adelakun, unpack why the intervention matters at a time like this, among other things.
Let’s have a background over what led to the womb of NOJ.
Adelakun: The birth of Nation of Justice is as result of my years of experience and encounters that I have faced, which other Nigerians and different nationalities had faced (and yet facing) in the international travels, particularly the stigma that has been placed upon Nigerians when you have a Nigerian passport or when they know you’re from Nigeria.
Based on this experience, i wrote a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, starting from 2022, which i continued to press on repeatedly. The letter was addressed to the UN Secretary General raising complaints on how Nigerians have been treated and stigmatized amongst the so called United Nations.
So basically, the birth of the organization is based on my own personal experiences and those of other Nigerians and other victimized citizens of other Nations during their international travels or cross-border activities.
Moreover, most of these countries have offices in New York, but they call themselves the United Nations when, in actuality, they are not united in the way they treat one another. So, I made a complaint on behalf of Nigeria to, not only over the Nigerians, but also other victimized Nationalities, highlighting that Nigerians have been victimized in one way or another when traveling to Europe and some other places.
In addition to that, my personal experiences in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and some European countries would not allow me to remain silent when people keep saying, “United Nations, United Nations, United Nations.”
I’ve witnessed situations where judicial systems victimize Nigerians simply because they believed Nigerians are inferior, and other nationals have also fallen victim to such corrupt judicial malpractices.
So, is NOJ coming to solve the issues of corrupt practices?
Adelakun: Yes. Impartiality is something that should be upheld in judicial houses, but it often is not. So, how do we bring about change?
We have to be part of the solution and speak out to effect change by holding the bull by the horns. At the same time, we must ask for and demand accountability. Imagine having a judge in a position to decide your destiny, and that judge dislikes you or your ethnic background and bases his decision on that bias. Who then pays the price for that malpractice?
This is a problem worldwide. There is no part of the world where judicial powers can be fully held accountable. They only provide provisions to lodge a complaint, but the person addressing those complaints is often the same set of Judges.
When you look at democracy, you see loopholes that people manipulate to abuse judicial power. That’s why the system always directs you to go for an appeal.
If it is truly a democracy, government of the people by the people and for the people then people should be able to hold the judicial powers accountable. Hence, the Nation of Justice was founded in order to push for this, to make this happen. And how do we do it?
We will enlighten people with the provisions of the law, their constitutional rights and duties, so that they know their places in the nation’s existence and in societies where they live, and that’s the reason why we are here.
How far has the Nation of Justice come in the realization of its objective over the years?
Adelakun: The Nation of Justice, on its own, cannot be a power on its own because a tree cannot make a forest, so in order to gather the manpower, we have to bring in people that are standing and seeking for betterment and we enlighten them. Once they understand their own values and what they have been missing, that is when they can demand accountability.
I believe, like what the scriptures say: when the truth hits your ears, you will know the difference. When you taste the water that’s pure, you will know the difference from the impure water. So, when this happens, we gather people to harness manpower. We are doing this in South Africa, and in my country too, Nigeria. When that manpower is there, then we can do a lot.
So that when they are called upon, the people that will join the wave, it is important for them to understand who they are and where they live and what surrounds them, and their rights and duties as well. Because you may have rights but you also have responsibilities in order to make things happen.
Do you think the recent letter of commendation by Prof Hakeem Fagbemi, the Vice Chancellor of University of Abuja, is a testament to what your foundation is doing? How often do you get that kind of applause and how do you personally feel about it?
Adelakun: I can’t express my feelings, to be honest. I just do as I am guided. When I was walking here and I looked to my right side, I saw a lot of people sitting down and something in me says, “oh, look beyond what you see and do what you’re guided to do.” In that call, I won’t be able to express how I feel, but I can only say what I was told to do and that’s what I’m doing.
Why the choice of Sallah, is it part of the objectives of NOJ? Is it okay to describe you as a humanitarian and can we say your business is the source of funding for what NOJ is doing?
Adelakun: Islam, Christianity amongst other religions did not get known in silence, they say go out there and preach and that’s how people get knowledge of these religions. So, in order for us to do the same, we start from somewhere and believe that the Eid is a perfect time. We will do this whether it is Jummah, it’s proper timing, or even on Sunday when there are Christians gathering or any available place.
Beyond helping people who are struggling financially with our assistance, we are bringing up a scholarship program for students and also a skill acquisition training is already in the loop.
