| Mr. Christopher Sodje Jitobor has been living in Japan for some time now. He came from Nigeria seeking for a job. Years later, he is still not only a resident of Japan, but also a working man and an organizer of this NPO called JITO LEADS FOUNDATION helping his country men, women and children back in Africa. How did he get to build this great initiative? Let's find out.......... |
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AJC: Mr. Jitobor, When did you come to Japan? Chris: I came to Japan in 1996. AJC: What was the reason that you came to Japan? Chris: I needed money on my own at that time, so I just wanted to work in Japan. And after 2 years, I was going to go back to Africa to establish myself. AJC: You are from Nigeria. And when you first came to Japan from Nigeria, you were thinking to go back there after working in Japan for 2 years or so. |
| Chris: Off course, everybody comes to Japan thinking to make some money and go back home after 1 or 2 years. AJC: But you decided to stay in Japan. Do you like to live here or is it mainly because you have to? Chris: Off course I like living in Japan, that's why I decided to stay, not to go back. And I'm married here and that is the main reason I would like to stay here. AJC: Let's talk about your humanitarian service, the foundation on your own, JITO LEADS FOUNDATION. What was the idea behind it? What made you decide that you wanted to organize it to help other people? Chris: Well.. the idea…it started long, long time ago. When I was a teenager, I always wanted to help people doing volunteer services. When I was very young, I already had interest in volunteer organizations like the Nigeria Boy Scouts, I was a member of... St. John Ambulance Brigade, I was also a member there. So it started a long, long time ago. I came to Japan and after some time, I started business on my own, exporting medical equipments. We buy all these medical equipments in Japan and bring them to Africa and sell. Then I went to Nigeria in around 1999, I thought that people over there needed this kind of equipments. But some of the equipments that I brought were very, very expensive that they couldn't buy. Even the doctors would ask me for credit, the patients would come to me begging for credit. And I saw the pain of those people. So I just said OK, these people need it. Instead of bringing the equipments back to Japan and losing money, I gave them out for free. That's how I started it and finally turned it into the JITO LEADS FOUNDATION. AJC: Who are the other people in the foundation. Are they the people you knew? Chris: Yes, off course. They are the people I chose myself. I needed people to help me, mostly doing the movement work in Nigeria. But all the expenses are coming from my own pocket. AJC: How does the scholarship work? |
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| Chris: The scholarship is a very difficult program to deal with. It's not easy for us to choose people to give the scholarship to, you know. But it's one of the things that are going well. There are 4 year and 2 year programs. Basically we help them with their school tuitions. AJC: That is excellent. Let me ask you about some general questions. Do you think the government of Japan is really helpful to Africans? Chris: I think the Japanese are good to Africans. But the way the money from Japan landed, I don't think it always go to the right source. But the government of Japan is really trying very hard to help African people. If you go to Africa, there are many Japanese government offices there. But the money that Japan spends, I don't think it goes to the right people. AJC: Is there any message you would like to send to Japanese people? Chris: I really like them to find out the true part of Africa. Because every time Japanese think about or talk about Africa, they always come up with the images of Safari and jungles and so on…which are not the best things. They need to learn more about Africa of what it is all about, not just Safari and jungles. AJC: OK, I feel that the Japanese should learn more about Africa too. Now what about your private life? What is your hobby? Chris: I enjoy sports. As a matter of fact, I was an amateur boxer back in Nigeria. AJC: Wow, is that so. How tall are you? Chris: 6 feet and 2 inches (185 cm). AJC: Do you have any kid? Chris: Yes, I have one daughter. AJC: So what would you say to the children of the world including the one of your own? Chris: I just want them to be more free with the people and live a happy life. AJC: Well thank you so much for your time on this Christmas day. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Chris: Merry Christmas to you too. |
