The Nation Newspaper

Tag: charity

  • Today is Int’l Day of Charity

    SIR, today Monday September 5, the global community commemorates the 2016 International Day of Charity. In recognition of the key role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in 2012 designated September 5 of every year as the International Day of Charity. The date was chosen to mark the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa whose life and good works for some of the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden while on earth inspired several people across the world.

    No doubt, charity contributes to the promotion of dialogue, solidarity and mutual understanding among people regardless of their respective affiliations. Hence, it is the duty of all and sundry to live toward its uplift since it helps to foster a society filled with peace and harmony. And, it is worth noting that no meaningful development can take place in a society that lacks peace and mutual understanding.

    Indeed, the day is a day to remember those who are less advantaged, and to take appropriate actions to help them. However, charity isn’t only deserved by less-advantaged individuals; anyone irrespective of status could be in need of charity at a given circumstance. Therefore, charity ought to be seen as an interwoven gesture at all times.

    So, as Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the fourth annual International Day of Charity as well as the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, I enjoin every individual and organizations in the country to use this opportunity to promote their own projects and encourage charitable activities in their respective communities or societies, bearing in mind that this is the only way we can boast of a meaningful development in our various societies.

     

    • Comr Fred Doc Nwaozor

    Owerri, Imo State.

  • Jackie Appiah makes charity on birthday

    Jackie Appiah makes charity on birthday

    Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah, who added a year on December 5th, 2015, celebrated the big day with over 60 kids at the Teshie and Osu orphanages.

    The posted pictures of the exciting moment with the kids at a play house, located at airport residential area of Accra, Ghana.

    “I’ve enjoyed reading all of the birthday messages and want to thank everyone who wished me a happy birthday. If you haven’t wished me a happy birthday yet, you still have some time left to do so. But honestly I really appreciate the love; “thank you” is the only words that come to mind right.”

    She noted that she chose to celebrate her birthday with the less privilege instead of having a private party in the comfort of her home. “This year, my management team and I decided to bring together over 60 kids from the Teshie and Osu orphanages to a kids play house at airport residential area to celebrate my birthday with them. We also had children of family and friends. Indeed, the children of family and friends were interacting and showing love to the less privileged kids from the orphanages,” she said.

  • Aspirant to donate half of salary to charity

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant of the forthcoming chairmanship election in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Hon. Abdulahi Candido has said he will donate 50 per cent of his monthly salary to charity if he wins election.

    He also promised to establish a local AMAC radio station that would focus on tradition,  cultural heritage, occupation and other vital aspect of the people in the territory, saying that the radio station would serve as a united force for the people of AMAC and Abuja at large.

    “AMAC is a very large council and the radio stations around do not really speak directly to the people. So, as a local council that operates within the locality,  our intention is to come out with a local radio station that can speak directly to the people in their mother tongues.

    “Different languages ranging from Igbo, Yoruba, Gbagyi, Gwandara, Hausa and other languages, would be concentrated on the radio production. That is the idea of coming out with a local radio station that will speak directly to the people outside what we have now.  When you bring a station that is grassroots oriented, it will affect the lives of the people directly,” he said

    Candido added that if elected his administration will establish skills acquisition and vocational centres in the 12 wards, where school leavers and unemployed graduates will be trained free of charge in different kinds of trade.

    “This is aimed at making the people self reliant and also job providers. A special unit will be charged with the responsibilities of finding jobs in Ministries,  Departments and Agencies (MDAs),  companies will also be approached with a view to ensure that AMAC quota is not short-changed.

    “While private companies that operate operates in our localities will be encouraged to provide their host communities with jobs. The council will enforce laws that will compel compliance, so that our younger ones are kept off the streets,” he said.

     

  • BEVERLY OSU TAKES CHARITY TO SLUM DWELLERS

    BEVERLY OSU TAKES CHARITY TO SLUM DWELLERS

    NIGERIAN model-cum-actress, Beverly Osu, as with most of her colleagues, has taken to carrying out good works, with a special focus on slum dwellers.

    According to Osu, who participated in, and almost won the Big Brother Africa reality TV show, her NGO would be looking to support those living in slums.

    “I am going to focus on how I can upgrade them. The project started in March but the first seminar will take place later this year, in Port Harcourt. I still look forward to getting bigger sponsors but for now, I have support from Laura Shoes and people have started donating different items.

    “While on a movie set in Ajah, I saw some young guys filling a canoe with sand. So I approached them, seeking to know how much they get paid for the job. Surprisingly, one of them said, N500. Immediately, I said to myself, people are suffering,” she stated.

    Encouraged by her project manager, after her movie shoot, she decided to do something about the slum and those living in it.

    “So we decided to start from Port Harcourt and by the grace of God, we will touch lives in every part of the country,” the controversial entertainer added.

  •  As the world marks International Day of Charity

    SIR:  It is widely noted that ‘God loves a cheerful giver’, which simply implies that one who gives freely and cheerfully will definitely receive his/her reward from God, in abundance.

    Charity, in a concise term, is a kind or generous attitude towards other people. In the same vein, it can be defined as money, gift, or time given to poor or less-privileged people. Some typical examples of charity include:

    Raising funds for the benefit of a certain person or cause.

    Contributing manual labour to help build a house for a low-income family.

    Setting aside half of your coffee money per month and granting that money to an organisation that helps the needy.

    Donating food, clothes, and other basic requirements to the motherless-babies homes, from time to time.

    Asking friends and family to donate money to a specific charity organisation rather than getting you gifts for birthdays and other anniversaries.

    On September 5, the world will mark the 2015 International Day of Charity. In recognition of charity’s key role in alleviating humanitarian crises and human suffering, in 2012 the United Nations (UN) General Assembly designated September 5 of every year as the International Day of Charity.

    The date was chosen in respect to the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa whose life and good works for some of the poorest of the poor and the downtrodden while on earth inspired several people across the world. In other words, the adoption of the day for the commemoration of the International Day of Charity was in honour of the late Mother Teresa because the deceased Amazon dedicated her life to the poor and other disadvantaged people around the globe.

    The idea of the International Day of Charity was proposed by Hungary with the aim of creating a universal platform to raise awareness on the importance of benevolent giving. Upon the initiative of Hungary, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution by consensus to designate 5th of September – the anniversary of the passing away of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity.

    The resolution was co-sponsored by the 44 member states representing all the five regions of the United Nations. The cross-regional support of the initiative reflects the universal recognition of charity and the apparent relevance of selfless giving or services in today’s world.

    In his introductory speech, the Permanent Representative of Hungary to the UN – Mr. Csaba Korosi, highlighted that charity as a way of thinking, provides real social bonding and contributes immensely to the creation of inclusive and more resilient societies. According to him, “Charity can alleviate the worst effects of humanitarian crises, supplement public services in health care delivery, education, housing, and child protection. It assists the advancement of culture, science, sports, and natural heritage. It also promotes the rights of the marginalized and the underprivileged, as well as spreads the message of humanity in conflict situations.”

    The first commemoration of the Day was held in 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York, U.S.A; the event featured various panel discussions on the role of charity in poverty alleviation and in promoting access to clean water and sanitation in general, with distinguished guest speakers from the philanthropic community including the United Nations Foundation.  Therefore, the International Day of Charity is a day to remember those who are less-advantaged, and to take appropriate actions to help them. The UN set aside September 5 of every year as that day, so that we all would act collectively in order to alleviate the suffering and pains of the less-privileged around us.

    However, bear in mind that many people are doing charitable work every day, either individually or collectively. Needless to state unequivocally that every day is a golden opportunity to assist those that are in need; devoting our time coupled with money, would help to end the lingering unkind attitudes found among mankind.

    As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to mark the third International Day of Charity as well as the anniversary of the late Mother Teresa, I candidly urge every individual and organisation worldwide to use this opportunity to promote their own projects and encourage charitable activities in their respective communities or societies.

     

    • Fred Doc Nwaozor

    frednwaozor@gmail.com

       

     

  • From UK with charity

    From UK with charity

    Remi Badozi, an immigration officer in the United Kingdom, works long and hard. So, work-offs and vacations mean so much to her. This year, her plan was to be at the exotic beaches in Spain for a well-deserved rest. Everything appeared set until she realised the Grace and Mercy Programme (GAMP) of a group she belongs to was scheduled for June.

    She dropped all her engagements and family ties,  headed for Lagos for the GAMP in company of no fewer than eight team members from the UK.

    “I had no hesitation in cancelling all previous arrangements to be here,” she said, adding. “There is no way on earth I would miss a charity work for anything.”

    The team ran an eight-day empowerment scheme for residents of Isawo Community in Lagos, which ended last week. No fewer than 1,000 members of the community benefited from the charity activities of the group. Food items, clothing, shoes and medical check-ups were offered freely to residents.

    Badozi said there was no greater feeling than giving back to her native country. “I feel refreshed and fulfilling seeing the joy on the faces of people. There is something helping others does to one’s humanity. I feel great with myself and perfectly at peace,” she explained.

    She said spending her vacation for a charitable cause was exhilarating. “Yes, I could have been in Spain, at a remote beach enjoying myself and relaxing. But this is the perfect way of vacationing for me. It feels great to spend time helping others cope with economic and social pressure. It is something I would never trade off for anything,” she said.

    Chima Ihenacho is into shipping business back in the UK. He also runs a digital and mobile solutions firm across the UK where he has resided in the last 12 years. But for some weeks in June and July, he is putting business considerations in the back foot to participate in the charity works.

    “I look forward to my annual vacation because this is how best I love to spend it. It is refreshing to be able to draw smiles from people and help them out of the woods. When people smile at you while helping out, a glow comes into your heart. There is nothing that can replace that feeling,” he said.

    Ihenacho, said: “Of course, we spend a lot of money to come on our own. You don’t even want to talk about it but that is nothing compared to helping people smile in a place where there isn’t much to smile about.”

    He is delighted he has imbibed the culture of giving back, especially to his fellow Nigerians. “I just feel that life is not just about grabbing and grabbing. There comes a time in one’s life that you realise the greatest happiest is in helping others overcome challenges of living.

    “Some of us have travelled to Europe and imbibed their values. So, what we are doing is bringing them back home. UK is an aid-giving nation and we want to replicate that too in our own little way. We are creating a chain of change and it is so reinvigorating,” he added.

    A sweat dropped from his chin as he packed the charity items into what the team called the goodies bag. Reminded that he shouldn’t be working this hard at a time he should be on vacation, Ihenacho let out a big smile. “It’s fun actually. It may be a little stressful physically but it is mentally fulfilling. You get to rest your bones after a few hours, you know, “he reasoned.

    Mrs. Tina Adewemimo has been  nurse in the UK for almost nine years. She first participated in GAMP last year. “The experience was touching for me. It was a great privilege that we could give back and the people were so friendly and grateful.” This year, she almost didn’t make it. But she considered it a miracle she was granted her annual leave she applied for it.

    “It is summer time in the UK and this is when everybody wants to be on leave. I asked for it and was granted. I’m happy because a part of me would have been sad if I couldn’t make it,” she stated. Adewemimo, who was part of the medical team, said working while on vacation was a great idea.

    “I am enjoying myself. This is the best way to rest. I tell you what when you help others, you don’t get tired. You can always draw from your inner strength and a part of you is fulfilled. So, I have no complaints. I’m having the time of my life and will keep coming for as long as there are people to help.”

    Mrs. Lola Oseni runs a travel agency based in the UK. But making money will have to wait for some weeks because she is in Lagos for the charity works. “This is what I love to do. I’m just bouncing in my heart. I feel great; I feel good. I feel elated,” she stated as she worked on the goodies bag.

    “For me, there is no rest when there are needs to meet. You cannot rest when there are people suffering. You get overwhelmed looking at the level of poverty here. But it also makes you want to stop at nothing to help. So, this is it for me. This is where to be. I don’t feel out of place at all,” Oseni shared.

    Beyond giving out food and clothing  to meet immediate needs, the team also empowered four graduates of its Grace Fashion Institute with sewing machines. Each of the graduates received N30, 000 for take-off. “The plan is to teach them how to fish as against just handing them fish every year,”  Pastor  Atinuke Adesanya, the team’s leader said.

    Adesanya, senior pastor  Grace to Grace International Church, said: “We are in Isawo to make a difference. We want to completely transform the community. We have started already and we hope to do much more. We believe that lifting people is the way to go.”

    She stated that the team had concluded plans to construct a free purpose-built walk-in hospital for the community where residents can receive free medications and treatment. “In the next one year, the clinic will be functional. There would be a doctor and nurses from the start that can attend to people. We believe health is wealth. A healthy community will make prosperity easier,” she added.

    Despite the inconveniences and costs during the trip, the team said they would be here in 2017.

  • Charity begins at home

    Whenever values are not impacted at home, society is worse for it, society is then left with a huge burden to control a rabid dog that could have otherwise been a guard dog. When the home is so permissive that it fails to limit excesses and then even goes to the extent of rewarding mediocrity, then society is worse for it.

    A few decades ago, Nigeria was misruled by northern leaders who were heavily criticised by southerners but worshipped in the north. The northern people adored the leaders that impoverished all of us simply because they spoke the same language and attended the same mosque. For them, leadership had no responsibility and hence the southerners that criticised these leaders were just envious because they were not in charge. For these leaders, Charity did not begin at home, their corruption was hailed at home and hence their other crimes did not seem to matter. The fact that their parents ate gleefully from their corrupt hands instead of calling them to order emboldened them to torment the people more. The people from whom they stole embraced them warmly and cheered them on to accomplish more disastrous exploits.

    History has been compelled to repeat itself because human beings have a penchant for acting in the very same way. Those in the south now sympathise with the man who has made our problems a second choice and not a priority (assuming we are on the list). He throws excuses to us instead of solutions but is hailed at home and hence can act no different. His parents endorse mediocrity and say competence and responsibility is not a human characteristic whenever they embrace him on his home coming. The people of the south hail Mr. President’s transformation agenda that has failed to transform their individual fortunes, thereby encouraging his actions.

    The South south man should realise that he can’t ask for good governance from a northerner when he fails to do so now.

    We don’t imbibe charity from the streets, we are too hard headed for criticism from somewhere outside the home to matter. Until the hard truth is drummed into the ears of GEJ by the south as a collective region, then the noise in the north would not move him. Until those of us in the creeks ask what has happened to our subsidy funds and the proposed refineries, we should not expect anything good.

    Those of us from the South must be able to ask why we are still having less than 5000 megawatts of electricity despite the reforms in the sector. Mr. President can only be responsive to the security challenge in the north east when the humanity of the South south man makes him empathise with his kin across the Niger whose geography is now a curse.

    By Ekitumi Ofagbor

    Ofagbor88@yahoo.com

  • Women endorse Ahmed for second term

    Women endorse Ahmed for second term

    Women in Kwara State, under the aegis of the National Council of Women Societies (NCWS), have endorsed Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for a second term.

    During a visit to the governor in Ilorin, the state capital, NCWS President Hajia Barakat Atunse said: “Without being rhetorical, your shared prosperity project is having a positive effect on Kwarans. It is trickling down to the doorsteps of all Kwarans, regardless of political colouration or inclination. The project touches on employment, education, health, socio-economic transformation, water, energy, road, etc.”

    Hajia Atunse said the governor’s wife, Omolewa, had, through her LEAH Charity Foundation, touched “lives unimaginably, particularly women and children”.

    Ahmed said his administration would continue to protect and empower women.

  • Presbyterian Church hails govt’s response

    The Presbyterian Church of Nigeria has hailed the proactive response of the federal and state governments to the Ebola virus.

    But it said it wants measures to ensure that the disease is contained and eradicated.

    The church, in a communiqué at the end of its biennial General Assembly in Calabar, Cross River State, urged government to ensure that there was surveillance at the entry points into the country so that no new cases of the epidemic would be recorded.

    It called for the production and supply of experimental drugs for those infected.

    The communiqué, signed by the Prelate and Moderator of the General Assembly, Prof. Emele Mba Uka and the newly-elected Principal Clerk, Rev. Eseme David William, welcomed the Federal Government’s initiative to set up a special fund in aid of victims of the Boko Haram insurgency and other social upheavals.

    The church also set up a fund toward the rehabilitation of the Chibok girls,  saying this was in keeping with its spirit of Christian charity and in support of the President’s initiative.

    But it lamented the “seeming inability of the government to rescue the abducted girls and contain the Boko Haram insurgency.”

    On power supply, the church noted that despite government’s efforts at improving power supply by privatising the sector, power outages were still rampant in almost all parts of the country.

    It said: “It is embarrassing that consumers are paying heavily for the services not rendered. Government should put in place an effective mechanism to ensure creditable performance by the registered distribution companies. The Federal Government should set a timeline when Nigerians and corporate manufacturing consumers will get value for the privatisation of the energy sector.”

  • All for charity

    All for charity

    Members of the Gospel Students’ Fellowship of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) have visited the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School and Physiotherapy Clinic to donate gifts to the inmates. GODWIN SIMON (400-Level Mass Communication) reports.

    They were abandoned by those supposed to care for them. They are children with deformities. Last Saturday, some students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) visited the Modupe Cole Memorial Childcare Treatment Home School and Physiotherapy Clinic in Akoka, Lagos State, to donate gifts to the inmates.

    When the students arrived, the physically-challenged children beamed with smiles. Some fixed their gaze on the floor as if ruminating on a crucial issue; others were lively, playing football and running around with the students.

    Without moving close to them, it will be difficult to know their state of health. However, not all of them are healthy. Their dull grimace, staggered movements, twisted or paralysed legs, and abnormal stature, showed that the children are far from being healthy.

    The students are members of the institution’s chapter of the Gospel Students’ Fellowship. They donated food items and other materials to the children.

    They were received by Mr. Musa Kareem, an official of the clinic, who said the organisation was established in 1960 by the late Miss Modupe Cole to care for the physically-challenged free of charge.

    Kareem said most of the children were not born with deformities, noting that they became incapacitated after being afflicted by diseases. He said the home had become where the children get the care they were denied by their parents.

    Kareem said: “We have three categories of children here. There are ones who can get education, while some can be trained in various vocations and others are perpetually dependent. The ones that can get education are those who can still cope with academics, and therefore are being taught how to read and write. The trainable ones are those who cannot be taught in academic line. They can only be exposed to vocational training while the perpetually dependents are those who don’t belong to any of the two groups. They are just being taken care of here.”

    Noting that funding is a challenge facing the home, Kareem appealed to wealthy individuals and corporate bodies for assistance.

    Mrs Tonia Ikemefuna, a nurse, said staff were poorly paid, disclosing that some of them receive as low as N5,000 monthly. She urged well-to-do individuals to assist the organisation to improve the care given to the children.

    Kareem praised the Lagos State Government for its support to the home. He said Governor Babatunde Fashola gives financial assistance to the home every month.

    The Welfare Secretary of the fellowship, Toluwalope Oduneye, said the visit was part of the fellowship’s quest to support the less-privileged in the society and to also make members imbibe the habit of sharing the burden of others and giving back to the society.

    She appealed to privileged Nigerians to assist the children with deformities with finance and materials to ameliorate their suffering.

    The students were later ushered into the home’s showroom where the craftworks of the children were displayed for sale. Some of the materials bought by the students included beads, shoes, soaps and wrist bands.