Leadership Team
Executive Director
Olasubomi Iginla Aina MBE.
Olasubomi is the Executive Director of Lightup Foundation, a post she has held for over 24 years. Within this period, Lightup has broken a world record with the “Bag of Hope” project used to project the UN Rights of the Child targeting 30 countries. She has been wholeheartedly committed in this role since Lightup was established in Africa at the turn of the millennium, now marking almost a quarter of a century of dedicated and impactful hardwork. Her leadership in this role has been characterized by a hands-on approach, actively engaging with communities and fostering volunteerism and better life for the disadvantaged.
She holds a Masters in law (LLM) from Brighton University, (UK), studied Generative Leadership course at Oxford University and holds a Bachelors Degree in Architecture from the great Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria where she served as the Vice President and later became the President of the Students’ Union.
Olasubomi is a woman of many hats within the humanitarian space, and her contributions within this space have brought her recognition nationally and internationally.
In 2019, she was nominated by the UK Prime Minister to be honoured by Her Majesty the late Queen of England with the appointment as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) for her work with the youths and the disadvantaged in Africa and UK.
Precisely In 2021, she won a global election to become a Director of the Global NGO Executive Committee (GNEC), making her one of the 18 elected board members liaising for global NGO to the United Nations.
During President Obasanjo’s regime, she became the most active Focal person for the National Women Peace Group (NAWOPEG) in Nigeria, inaugurated by President Olusegun Obasanjo, and she was actively involved in the preparation of the youth Policy Document for Nigeria.
In December 2019 during President Buhari’s administration, she was appointed as the Diaspora Ambassador for Nigeria and the National Assembly Ambassador to the UK.
Olasubomi has organized various programmes and activities on youth issues at international, national and local levels. She has also delivered many keynote addresses, papers, presentations, and speeches, globally, on various youth-related and humanitarian issues.
In addition, she has also contributed to the drafting of numerous youth strategies at regional and international levels. She believes in empowering youth, and with that passion, she was made the Minister of Youth for the State of African Diaspora (SOAD) – the African Diaspora being the 6th region of Africa.
She has continued to support people through some of their most challenging times and crises – both in the UK and around the world. Her relentless dedication to humanitarian causes has made a significant impact on countless lives, showcasing her commitment to social justice and equality.
Her journey began at a young age, and her selfless service has spanned close to three decades. She has been involved in various initiatives aimed at shaping policies, uplifting marginalized communities, advocating for their rights, and mobilizing resources/essential support globally during crises. Her work is characterized by a deep compassion for others and a strong belief in the power of community engagement. Olasubomi’s work is marked by a unique blend of grassroots activism and systemic change, particularly in her commitment to youth development.
Dr Louis-Georges Tin, Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora, highlights Olasubomi’s exceptional bravery and dedication:
“Olasubomi is highly respected in her field, courting support and praise from senior government and charitable leaders all around the world.”
She has gained so much respect in the humanitarian field and this respect is not only due to her extensive work in this field but also her ability to inspire others to join her cause. Her impact is felt globally, as she has worked tirelessly to address issues such as displacement, discrimination, and social injustice. Olasubomi’s ability to mobilize resources and create networks has been instrumental in her efforts to bring about meaningful change. Her work has not only transformed individual lives but has also contributed to broader societal shifts, making her a pivotal figure in the fight for equality and justice.
Tangible Achievements
Olasubomi’s career is marked by numerous tangible achievements that reflect her unwavering commitment to humanitarian causes. Her work has led to significant policy changes, community development initiatives, and the empowerment of marginalized groups all through her career (current and former).
Moreover, her commitment to youth development is evident in her work with the Lightup Foundation. Under the umbrella of Lightup Foundation, Olasubomi has spearheaded various initiatives to promote its vision and her impact is felt in numerous countries where she has actively engaged with local and international stakeholders to create sustainable solutions.
Her ability to engage young people in meaningful ways has empowered them to become advocates for change within their own communities and this has attracted outstanding remarks about Lightup Foundation, the organisation she leads, from notable world leaders.
Board of Director
Dr Femi Aina
Dr Aina qualified in Medicine with an MBBS in 2000. After training in psychiatry, he obtained Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2009. His postgraduate training was at the Maudsley Hospital and Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London. He obtained his Specialist Registration with GMC-UK in General Adult Psychiatry and Addiction Psychiatry in 2012 and has worked as Consultant Psychiatrist in the NHS since then.
He has extensive experience in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and he currently runs Neurodevelopment Disorders Clinics in the NHS. His training in supporting children’s mental health has built a great passion in him to help safeguard young people from living a reckless life that may threaten their mental wellbeing and end up not achieving the fullness of their potentials in life.
Esther Godwins
Esther Godwins is a New York attorney, consultant, and employment law advocate with over 15 years of experience advising and representing clients in business, employment, and intellectual property law matters. She possesses specialized legal knowledge in business, applying her expertise in various capacities.
Esther is deeply compassionate and has a strong affinity for youth development and humanitarian causes. She derives great pleasure from supporting youth initiatives and humanitarian endeavours.
Kiran Zahida
Kiran Zahida is a foreign-registered lawyer based in the UK, originally from Pakistan. She holds a law degree from Pakistan and is an experienced and dedicated legal practitioner.
With a deep passion for justice, Kiran is keen on resolving social issues and determined to positively impact the lives of marginalized and vulnerable individuals. Driven by her commitment to addressing social injustices, she strives to contribute to a society where human dignity is upheld and protected.
As a lawyer, Kiran brings a unique perspective to youth and community development. As a human rights advocate, she remains dedicated to supporting and protecting human rights across communities.
Advisory Board
Ibiyinka Alao
Ibiyinka Alao is a UN Arts Ambassador, renowned for his exceptional talent and passion for art, youth, and community development. In 2005, he was honoured as Nigeria’s “Ambassador of Art” by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Notably, Alao secured first place in the United Nations International Art Contest, surpassing participants from 61 countries.
His artistic prowess extends beyond painting, as evident in his award-winning storybook, “Ibi’s Fireflies,” based on his painting “Eternity in Our Hearts.” This outstanding work earned the Grand Prize in the 2016/2017 Scholastic “Kids are Authors” contest on May 18, 2016.
Ms. Ester Sara Cabanes.
I am Ms. Ester Sara Cabanes the former General Director of Child and Adolescent Care of the Generalitat de Catalunya. I am a dedicated and experienced social worker with over thirty years of experience in violence against childhood. Throughout my career, I have developed a strong expertise in sexual abuse, trauma, unaccompanied children, migrations and vulnerability in general, which has allowed me to contribute significantly to catalán reception strategy for Young unaccompanied migrants, barnahus european strategy and improve the chid protection system in my country.
I began my career at child protection system, where I have been able to see the consequences of childhood abuse both in childhood and adulthood, which has allowed me to introduce changes to the system and créate new resources to improve the lives of children. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous foundations both at a national and international level and also with different administrations, where I have honed my skills in understanding and projecting the need for a fairer society for children and adolescents around the world.
Currently, I am still working for the rights of children, adolescents and Young people as director of the kids voices foundation.
Our Vision
Empower and support young people and disadvantaged individuals with the necessary tools to achieve their goals in life.
Our Mission
Lightup will lead selfless efforts to connect young people and disadvantaged individuals with life-changing opportunities.
Lightup Goals
1
Improve Educational Achievement
2
Develop Positive Values and Attitudes.
3
To Equip Young People with Leadership Skills
Lightup Programmes & Projects
Youth and Community Development Projects
Food Bank (Major Lightup Project)
Homeless Shelter
Lightup Street Chat
National Orientation for Voluntary Action (NOVA)
International Projects
Creating Awareness and Alternatives Mission (C.A.A. Mission)
Lightup Objectives
We encourage youth and community development through capacity-building projects.
We act as a resource for young people by providing support, advice, assistance and organising educational programmes as a means of advancing in life and helping young people by developing their skills, capacities and capabilities to enable them to participate in society as independent, mature and responsible individuals.
Our Commitment To The Community
Lightup empowers harmonious communities by identifying and responding to community needs, and providing selfless support to distressed individuals globally.
Our Strategy For Delivery
Lightup adopts a Community-Centric Approach. Our strategy delivers value through:
Building strategic partnerships
Collaborating with individuals, institutions, organisations, and governments
Focusing support on sustainable solutions.
Our Path Forward
We will achieve our mission by:
- Cultivating a Culture of Selflessness: Embracing volunteerism as a transformative way of life.
- Unlocking Potential: Fostering productivity, purpose, and engagement among youths and job seekers.
- Empowering Young Minds: Investing in youth development for a brighter, more equitable future.
- Advocating for Justice: Championing the rights, dignity, and empowerment of marginalised communities.
