Ayotomiwa Elesho, a Political Science undergraduate at the University of Ibadan, is the Founder and Director of Homeless Not Hopeless Nigeria, a student-led non-profit organization committed to eradicating homelessness in Nigeria and its adverse consequences through advocacy and alleviation projects. He founded this organization driven by his fervor for voluntary, altruistic, and unpaid service to his immediate community.
In this interview, he shares more details about his journey as the founder of this nonprofit, including the challenges he faced, the lessons he learned, and his hopes for the future.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Good morning
Thank you for taking the time to speak to me today
Ayo Elesho: Good morning, ma’am. It’s a pleasure.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Great. Please can you tell us your full name and level?
Ayo Elesho: My name is Ayotomiwa Elesho, a penultimate undergraduate student of the Department of Political Science, University of Ibadan. However, I prefer to be addressed as Ayo-Elesho.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Thank you
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Would you say you are an entrepreneur?
Ayo Elesho: I wouldn’t really describe myself as an entrepreneur for now, but I am working towards becoming one because from what I’ve read, seen, and observed in society, everyone needs some form of entrepreneurial skill to attain financial success.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Great
POSSPRESS Interviewer: So What inspired you to go this route?
Ayo Elesho: Put simply, the need to build wealth after school. I cannot say much about being an entrepreneur because I am not a full-fledged entrepreneur yet.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Okay
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when you were first starting out?
And how did you overcome them?
Ayo Elesho: Starting out with what, please? Can you kindly elaborate?
POSSPRESS Interviewer: I mean with putting yourself out there?
Ayo Elesho: In all I do, I choose to chase excellence rather than putting myself out there.
I believe that when one chases excellence and attains success, recognition follows.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: This is very insightful
Ayo Elesho: Although I have faced some significant challenges which I don’t want to share, I am a strong-willed and determined person and I never back down from my goals. This trait of mine has trumped every challenge that I have hitherto faced.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: That’s inspiring. Speaking of inspiring, What advice would you give to young people who are just starting out in their careers?
Ayo Elesho: The most fundamental advice I can give is that young people chase excellence. To attain excellence, one doesn’t necessarily need to engage in any kind of competition.
One can, instead, partner with other people who share similar goals. This involves building valuable connections and learning from others who have traversed the path on which one is just starting out. One should try to learn from the experiences of other achievers and try to incorporate lessons from them into one’s lifestyle.
The foregoing has, so far, worked for me and I believe that they will work for any other young person who is just starting out.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What is the most important thing you have learned about running a non-profit?
Ayo Elesho: Running a non-profit is not an easy venture. It requires dedication, time management, and the ability to source resources as projects need resources to succeed. Since I founded Homeless Not Hopeless Nigeria, I have had the opportunity to learn the foregoing skills. So, I would say that the most important thing is the skill set that I have been able to acquire.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What is the most rewarding part of running a non-profit?
Ayo Elesho: The most rewarding part is the lives that are touched. When we (my team members, volunteers, and I) raise awareness to reduce homelessness, the prospect of the impact of the actual impact made is the most rewarding.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What is the most challenging part of running a non-profit?
Ayo Elesho: The most challenging part is combining academics with running an organization. Sometimes, we have to pause the organization’s activities so that all team members, volunteers, and myself can focus on our primary assignment, which is our education.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: How do you stay motivated and focused on your mission?
Ayo Elesho: I most times draw my motivation from within. I am also lucky to have great team members and volunteers whose dedication motivates me.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What advice would you give to other people who are thinking about starting a non-profit?
Ayo Elesho: Please start. You can start small and grow from there. Do whatever you can to make an impact on society.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: What are some of the most important lessons you’ve learned along the way?
Ayo Elesho: There are many lessons. But, here are some:
One, you need people to thrive. No matter how good you are, you need people to recommend you for opportunities. So, your relationship with people is paramount. That, however, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have principles, and just do anything to please people.
Two, the path to success is replete with obstacles and it takes unwavering determination to surmount them.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Great. So lastly, What are your goals for the future?
Ayo Elesho: I have many goals.
Academically, I hope to graduate summa cum laude and proceed to a graduate school abroad to acquire more knowledge.
Regarding my youth-led non-profit organization, I would love to expand the frontiers of our operations to reach and impact more lives.
Regarding future sustenance, I would also like to set up businesses that will yield revenue to live the kind of life I envision for myself.
POSSPRESS Interviewer: Thank you very much, that will be all.
Ayo Elesho,oyinbo po 😀👏👏, you are blessed.
Ayo Elesho, you are blessed.