Bukola Oriola (born 1976) is a Nigerian-American journalist.[1] She lives in Anoka County, Minnesota,[2] and has a son named Samuel Jacobs.[3] She spent six years as a journalist covering education in Nigeria while still living in that country.[4] In 2005, she came to the United States from Nigeria on a two-month work permit in order to cover a New York City meeting of the United Nations General Assembly.[5] She married a US citizen who prevented her from establishing interpersonal relationships with anyone other than himself.[6] He subjugated her to a life of unfree labour, confiscating all of her earnings.[7] She was imprisoned in her home in this manner for two years.[8] Bukola is a speaker, author, mentor, advocate, and entrepreneur.[9]
Bukola Oriola | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1976 (age 47–48) Nigeria |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Activist, hair-braider, journalist |
| Years active | 1999-present |
| Organization | Imprisoned Show |
| Notable work | Imprisoned: The Travails of a Trafficked Victim |
| Children | Samuel Jacobs |
Publicity
She wrote and self-published a book Imprisoned: The Travails of a Trafficked Victim about her experiences with human trafficking.[10] In August 2013, she appeared on a discussion panel following a screening of the documentary film Not My Life at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs' Cowles Auditorium.[11] On December 16, 2015, she was appointed by President Barack Obama as a member of the United States Advisory Council on Human Trafficking,[9] and was re-appointed to the same position by President Donald Trump in April, 2018.[12] Bukola won the Cadbury National Award for Education Reporters in 2005.[9] She started a non-profit organization known as "The Enitan Story" in August 2013 to advocate for victims and empower survivors of human trafficking.[9]
She is a fellow of the International Institute for Journalism, Germany.[12]
References
