The Nation Newspaper

Tag: charity

  • Plucking the thorns on their roses

    Plucking the thorns on their roses

    It was celebration time, as IREDE, a foundation formed to give succour to limbless and amputee children clocked one year. Hannah Ojo, who was at the cocktail reports.

    The gentlemen and ladies who came for this event all turned out gaily dressed. The glistering lights and soft music set in motion the radiance expected of a cocktail, but that wasn’t the main source of attention.  A set of special children, who stood out as champions, were actually the reason for this cocktail put together to celebrate 365 days of the registered existence of IREDE Foundation.

    When they came out for a special appearance, the song ‘stand up for the champion’ filled the air. True to that altruism, they are the kids with roses splattered with thorns. They do not have limbs but thanks to IREDE, they can now walk again and jump around like normal kids. The rhythmic ‘thank you’ rendition from three-year old Beulah Chigbu evoked emotions; so also was the presentation by the other children. Crystal Chigbu, the founder of the NGO could not hold back the tears as she watched her daughter say ‘thank you.’  Beulah who was born with a missing tibia and patella in her right leg and had to go through amputation and prosthesis was the motivating force for her mom to establish IREDE last year. It was borne out of her vision to share her story of hope with parents and care-givers who have kids with limb loss. Supported by her husband, Zubby, who cheered her on, she has been able to canvass for donors whose seeds have been used to procure prosthesis for children without limps from indigent children.

    Learning how some of the children came about their plight, wasn’t such a pleasant part of the evening though. The future ambition of 10-year old Dorcas Adepitan was to become a medical doctor, but that dream was almost cut short.  She was playing in school on a fateful day when she was pushed by her classmate. The fall was fatal as it led to the amputation of her right leg because a cancerous tumour had developed on the upper part of the leg.  She was adopted by the Sahara Charitable Foundation through IREDE’s “Adopt a child” sponsorship platform, which sponsored her prosthesis. She was full of life as she freely mixed with other kids and interacted with adults at the cocktail.

    For nine-year old Chidiebere Chidiogwu, it was a delay too costly. The young chap was preparing for his sister’s wedding when the bathroom wall collapsed on his leg.  Unsuspecting of the extent of the injury, his care-givers dilly-dallied by not seeking immediate medical help. The setback resulted in the amputation of 80 percent of his right leg. Thankfully though, Chidiebere now walks with the aid of prosthesis and is able to move around and play like other kids.

    Amongst the kids, Isaac Osumah was however the star of the night. He was full of life and could not care less about the prying eyes of both the adults and the children present around him. Fate played a hard one on him from birth, even though his mother diligently followed her clinic schedules and ante-natal care appointments. When the time came to be delivered of the bundle of joy on June 16, 2009, the sight that greeted the mother was shocking. The baby arrived with deformed limbs. As if that was not enough, he came with two fingers only on each hand and no limb on his right leg from his knee downward. The Paediatric consultant who examined him diagnosed him as suffering from Congenital Limbs defects. This means that his fingers and right leg did not form properly.  To make matters worse, Isaac’s parents were distraught to learn that nothing can be done to reverse the situation. But they had cause to smile again when the IREDE foundation met him in 2013 and gave him prosthesis.

    Another tale that drew much sympathy was the case of Kelechi Omeje who became a victim of amputation when she was diagnosed with Gangrene. Her travail began on January 16, 2011, when a line was passed through her right leg to treat fever and diarrhea.  Not long after the treatment, the little boy began to writhe in pain, even as her parents noticed that her right leg was shrinking. After about a month, the parents took her to an orthopaedic hospital where to their dismay, both legs were amputated two months later. Until now, her world was muted as her childhood thrills became suspended since she lacked the legs to move around. She was provided with prostheses for both legs last year when she came in contact with the IREDE foundation, and thankfully, she can now run around and play with other kids.

    Speaking on the activities of the foundation, which have revolved around the drive of ‘extending limps and raising champions’ in the last one year, Mrs. Crystal Chigbu revealed that the foundation was able to provide six limbs last year. She also disclosed that the foundation has decided to step up its activities and reach out to more kids: “This year, we want to do 24 limbs. We hope to achieve this through donations from our partners and good-spirited Nigerians.”

  • Bettering lives through charity

    Bettering lives through charity

    As the world observe the first international day of charity today, the United Nations has placed emphasis on recognizing charity as a noble enterprise aimed at bettering the lives of the human condition. Justice Ilevbare writes.

    The international day of charity is being observed today worldwide. It’s a day set aside by the United Nations to call the world’s attention to the need to care for the poor in the society.

    The day is unique in many ways, apart from the fact that it is the first time the world will be observing it; the day also coincides with the anniversary of mother Teresa, a woman widely acclaimed for her love in charity.

    “I welcome this first observance of the International Day of Charity, which was proclaimed last year by the United Nations General Assembly and which coincides with the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, whose life and good works for some of the human family’s poorest and most vulnerable members inspired emulation across the world,” the United Nation Secretary General, Ban ki-moon said in his goodwill message to commemorate the day.

    He linked the day to the important roles of charity in alleviating humanitarian crisis worldwide.  “In recognition of the role of charity in alleviating humanitarian crises and human ‎suffering within and among nations, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations ‎and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa, the General Assembly of the ‎United Nations in it designated the 5th of September, the ‎anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa, as the International Day of Charity,” he said.

    Highlighting the importance of charity, he said; “Charity plays an important role in upholding the values and advancing the work of the United Nations.  Donations of time or money; volunteer engagement in one’s own community or on the other side of the world; acts of caring and kindness with no thought of recompense; these and other expressions of global solidarity help us in our shared quest to live together in harmony and build a peaceful future for all.

    “Strangely, charity sometimes gets dismissed, as if it is ineffective, inappropriate or even somehow demeaning to the recipient.  “This isn’t charity”, some donors take pains to claim, “this is an investment”.  Let us recognize charity for what it is at heart: a noble enterprise aimed at bettering the human condition.”

    Among other messages, the UN seeks the general contribution of major stakeholders across the world to the promotion of dialogue, solidarity and mutual understanding ‎among people.‎

    The UN scribe again highlighted the fact that poverty is still ravaging many homes and societies in the world with particular reference to the developing countries and therefore used the medium to drum up support to alleviate this, “Poverty persists in all countries of the world, ‎regardless of their economic, social and cultural situation, particularly in developing countries,” he noted

    He called on all international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations and individuals, to commemorate the Day in an appropriate manner, by encouraging charity, including through education and public awareness-raising activities.

    At a time when efforts are been made to achieve the Millennium Development Goals and define a bold agenda for the period beyond 2015, Ki-moon believes that the role of charity can and should grow.”

    Highlighting the activities and contributions of UN to charity, the UN boss disclosed that the UN bodies such as the UN Volunteers Programme and UNICEF offer venues for people across the world to get involved in charity.

    He said the UN’s humanitarian agencies rely on charitable donations from the public as well as the generosity of governments to continue their lifesaving work in response to natural disasters, armed conflicts and other emergencies.

    “While establishing the Day, the General Assembly asked that charity be encouraged through education and awareness-raising activities; initiatives such as the United Nations Academic Impact’s ASPIRE — Action by Students to Promote Innovation and Reform through Education — have encouraged young women and men to take on the responsibility of ensuring that their less fortunate peers have the financial opportunity to go to school,” he added.

     

     

  • All for charity

    All for charity

    Students and beauty queens from three higher institutions in Plateau State dropped their academics to engage in charity to save the lives of an ailing colleague, Sylvia Gowal, and orphans. GOTODOK LENGSHAK and SULEIMAN DUTSE (300-Level Production, Nigerian Television Authority Television College, Jos) report.

    They are beauty queens and students of various higher institutions in Plateau State. They also have kind hearts. They dropped their classroom work for charity in aid of an ailing colleague.

    They were a spectacle to behold on Yakubu Gowon Way and Domkat Bali Road in Jos, the Plateau State capital, for two days. They came from the University of Jos (UNIJOS), Plateau State Polytechnic (PLASPOLY) and the National Television Authority (NTA) Television College (TV COLLEGE) to wash cars to help orphans and an indigent colleague.

    Under the banner of “The Friends of Sylvia,” the girls took over the Blue Whales Carwash and the Ultimate Carwash for two days. They took on the venture to raise money for their colleague, Miss Sylvia Gowal, ND II Public Administration, PLASPOLY.

    Sylvia’s family could not get the N2 million needed for her operation, having been diagnosed of avascular necrosis in her left femur, an ailment that has left her bedridden. Her education has also been put on hold.

    Tagged “Help Sylvia walk again” and held in conjunction with the She Diamond Modelling Agency, hundreds of students and youths volunteered to do the menial job. As they washed cars, music blared from a ‘corner to entertain their ‘customers.

    According to the initiator of the campaign, Mr Awal Gowal, Sylvia’s brother, the move became imperative to correct the left hip that has kept his sister at home for two years.

    Awal told CAMPUSLIFE that since May 2009, when Sylvia was diagnosed of the ailment, the family had been working hard to raise the funds needed for the operation but enough money was not realised.

    “We had to seek for help elsewhere and brought up this concept to raise the needed money. We created the Friends of Sylvia group on Facebook to draw the attention of students and the public to our plight. We sought for assistance to help organise campaigns to raise funds because we don’t want to beg,” Awal said.

    In no time, members of the group grew, with scores of students in Plateau State offering to help.

    “We had to again look at how we can channel this active group of people to be productive to meet the target of N2 million we need for the operation. So, we thought of washing cars to raise the funds,” Awal added.

    Amaka Osigwe, 300-Level Mass Communication, UNIJOS, a volunteer, said the group opted for car washing after the publicity on social media drew many students to the group.

    She said: “We do not have money to give, but we can use our strength to work and contribute to efforts to make our sister walk again. This is so pathetic and I am calling on well meaning and kind-hearted Nigerians to do more in this regard as it might be someone close to anyone of us, who might be in need in future.”

    Alex Bot, 400-Level Television Production Department, TV COLLEGE, believes youths could make money from their sweat since nobody was ready to save the girl’s life. “We will make Sylvia walk again,” he vowed.

    Miss Rotmwa Gonchen, a beauty queen and founder of She Diamonds Modelling Agency, led a group of models to the streets of Jos, washing cars to raise funds in support of orphans and destitute.

    Gloria Semlek, former Face of Unity, her successor, Miss Nanbam Bess, Miss Timbyn Dala, Miss UNIJOS, Elizabeth Uja, former Miss UNIJOS, and Chaliya Kapyil, former Miss Plateau, among others took part in the venture.

    Rotmwa, a student of TV COLLEGE, said the agency supported the campaign because it believed in engaging in charity work to help the needy.

    “When you look at orphanage homes across the country, you will agree that there is the need for support from the public. There are children there with bright future but they lack the basic support and this explains why we are carrying this exercise for purely charity purpose,” she said.

    Over 300 vehicles were washed during the two-day exercise. But the volunteers could only raise N1 million for their ailing colleague.

    Gillian Actor, whose car was washed, said she had never met ladies with such humility, despite their beauty.

  • Charity’s conversion: The scapegoating of an emir

    Charity’s conversion: The scapegoating of an emir

    In the last five years, Bida, my home town, has attracted bad press and public attention nationwide. The source of this attraction, it seems, has been the apparently well-intentioned but grossly misrepresented actions of its paramount ruler, the Etsu Nupe, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, on the emotive issues of sex and religion.

    Five years ago, the story was about a randy 84-year-old man, Mohammed Bello Abubakar, alias Masaba, with his harem of 86 wives, some of them young enough to be his daughters and even granddaughters. The man’s lifestyle was a clear breach of the Penal Code of the old North and a violation of the norms and traditions of the Islamic society he lived in.

    One fine morning, the Etsu, as descendant of Malam Dendo, the flag bearer of Shehu Usman Danfodiyo in Nupeland during his 19th century jihad, and therefore the modern day custodian of Islam in his territory, decided to put a stop to Masaba’s impunity. Accordingly, the Etsu summoned the heretic to the palace to defend his conduct before the town’s clerics and community leaders. He couldn’t. So he was asked to choose between Islam, which he professed, and his 86 wives, since the religion forbade a man to have more than four. He accepted to choose his religion.

    Or so it seemed; on the day he was to inform the palace of his choice of the four wives he was to live with, the man simply disappeared. Next thing, he sued the palace before the state high court for the violation of his fundamental right to live as he chose. And before you could say harem all manner of human rights organisations, with the press in tow, were falling over themselves to defend the man.

    Since then the man has, for all practical purposes, become an (untouchable) media celebrity. This was five years ago.

    Nearly five years on last month the big story has been about a beautiful 25 year-old student of Federal Polytechnic, Bida, who converted to Islam in February. Charity, the daughter of a pastor of Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) – one of the country’s leading Pentecostal churches – Raymond Uzoechina, sought and eventually got the audience of the Etsu to ask for his protection from her father who she claimed could harm her because of her conversion.

    From all accounts, including that of her father, the palace did not readily oblige Aisha, her adopted Islamic name. First, the Etsu asked her if her father knew of her decision. When she said no he asked for her father’s telephone number and called him to come to Bida. He sent for him twice, first on March 1 and then the following day. “Overwhelmed by the call on March 2,” Pastor Uzoechina told the press, “I had to travel to Bida to ascertain what was wrong.”

    Predictably, the palace encounter was not a pleasant one for both parties. According to one account, the Etsu first asked the father if his daughter had ever suffered any mental problems and he said no. The Etsu then confirmed to his invitee that his daughter had converted to Islam. The pastor was then given a room to talk things over privately with his daughter. The talk did not end happily.

    Since then Pastor Uzoechina has accused the Etsu of kidnapping his daughter and forcibly converting her into Islam. Naturally the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rallied to his support. “The Emir of Bida(meaning, of course, the Etsu Nupe),” its president, the combative Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, said last week, “ must understand that Christianity and Islam must stand side by side. So we are using this occasion to say: ‘Release our daughter to us.’”

    Interestingly but even more worryingly, it seems President Goodluck Jonathan too has weighed in on the pastor’s side; on separate occasions he had asked first the Etsu and then the Niger State governor, Dr Muazu Babangida Aliyu, in not so many words, to find a way of releasing Aisha Charity to her father.

    Apparently the logic seems lost on the CAN leadership that Aisha Charity’s case is even more symbolic of fundamental human rights than that of the recent Senate’s so-called approval of marriage below 18 for girls over which it has threatened to ask its flock to take to the streets if the Senate does not reverse itself.

    Aisha Charity is 25 and is therefore more than old enough to decide things for herself. She has consistently said she converted of her own free will. Certainly, the Etsu Nupe’s invitation to Pastor Uzoechina to his palace to talk things over with his daughter is not the action of someone who is a kidnapper intent on forcing his belief on another.

    Even more certainly scapegoating him for the predicament of Aisha’s father and, by extension, that of CAN, will not solve the problem for anyone who thinks he has one with her conversion, even if it were induced.

    So far, the most sensible and sober thing anyone has said about this controversy is the eloquent piece written on it by Bitrus Gwadah, a Kaduna based senior lawyer, in last Saturday’s Weekly Trust. It is an article that anyone interested in stopping the episode from getting out of hand must go back and read.

     

    Abubakar Idris Usman: all’s well that ends well?

     

    It’s now thirteen weeks since I first wrote on May 8 about the plight of my youth corper “son” Abubakar Idris Usman, on these pages in an open letter to the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier-General Okorie Affiah.

    The reader will recall that he got into trouble with the NYSC authorities in Kaduna State over an article he had written in The Nation (November 22, 2012) which was critical of the facilities at the state’s orientation camp. The article, the authorities said, was sheer malice and breached the service rules against talking to the press.

    As penalty for his alleged offense he was initially denied posting for his primary assignment until he retracted the story. When he and his real father, a childhood friend, brought his predicament to my attention I rebuked him, as an uncle should, for breaching his service regulations but told him to stand by his story so long as he was sure of his facts. He said he was even though he had apologised to the authorities for the embarrassment he had caused them following his father’s and another uncle’s intervention with the authorities.

    Apart from refusing him his primary posting until he retracted his story, his camera and handset were seized. He was also threatened with a month’s extension without pay and, worst of all, he was interrogated by the State Security Service on allegation that he was Boko Haram.

    After several weeks of stalemate the local NYSC relented and posted him to a remote village in the state in March. He had barely settled down when he was reposted to Delta State. The reposting letter said this was at his own request. When, however, he pointed out that he never made any such request, he was issued another letter which said this was punishment for his alleged offence.

    At this point, I got a senior lawyer friend, Yahaya Mahmud, SAN, to intervene by sending a petition to the service Director General, and the Minister of Youth, Inuwa Abdulkadir, Esq. My friend did so gratis.

    Not long after the petition the DG, I was made to understand, instructed Kaduna to rescind the Delta posting. For weeks, Kaduna did not carry out the instructions. However, it did so finally last week after our lawyer sent a reminder.

    Penultimate Monday, Usman was called to the head office and given a letter, dated June 31, posting him to Katsina State. He has since reported there and has been posted to Government Technical College, Funtua, for his primary assignment.

    Hopefully, this is the end of an episode that needed not to have occurred at all – never mind dragging on for months – but for the thin skin of your typical government official.

     

    Re: Aregbesola’s real transformation

     

    Sir,

    We have indeed known your mindset. No non-Muslim can ever go right, and no Muslim can ever go wrong even if he is secretly – expletive deleted – your mother. Now, even if you’ve sworn never to see anything right about the president, because he is your sworn enemy, being a non-Muslim, what is the purpose of trying to drag him in the mud before commencing on praise singing on Aregbesola? Is it a gimmick to win the trust of the Yorubas? Mind you Haruna the Yorubas are very wise people. They are not fools like you and so you cannot fool them in order to win their support.

    +2347054795500

     

    Sir,

    Thanks for your article on “Aregbesola’s real Transformation’. Please advise Abia State Governor to learn from Aregbesola and stop his unpopular media campaign.

    +2348036735682

     

     

  • Honour to a man of charity

    Honour to a man of charity

    The quintessential captain of industry Chief Raymond Zard is 75 this year. And to appreciate his magnanimity and service to humanity, top dignitaries, including a former governor, captains of industries, eggheads, clergy, sheikhs and more put pen to paper in honour of the octogenerian Chief Zard by way of tributes and essays.

    The 182-page book, which is entitled: A Life of Charity: Essays and Tributes in Honour of Chief (Dr) Raymond Zard, OFR, takes readers into the life of Zard. Born on May 27, 1938 in Ibadan, Oyo State, into the family Khalil and Latife Assad Zard of Lebanon who established a prosperous cocoa business in Ibadan, young Raymond was raised in the fear of God and was taught to love his fellow man “unaffectedly”.

    As he grew up, his background impacted on his worldview and love for God and humanity. And what better way to show it if not by giving, the contributors stated. And so it is said of the octogenerian that if charity is a virtue given to a few, Zard was one of the few. This, among his other qualities, has earned several awards, they stated.

    Aside having the tributes and essays of bigwigs, the book, which is edited by Tony Marinho and Biola Layonu, has other features that stands it out.

    Firstly, it has its forward written by nine personalities, including former Oyo State Governor Omololu Olunloyo; former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ibadan (UI), Prof Emeritus Ayo Banjo; former Member, National Judicial Councils, Hon. Justice B.O.B Babalakin (CON); Chief Folake Solanke, (SAN) and Prof Akin Mayogunje (CFR).

    From its beginning to end, the reader is confronted by the many admirable sides and qualities of the man: from his early days to those of great accomplishments.

    They call him “a ray of hope”, “compassionate”, “generous”, “living legend”, an “Omoluabi”, “brother”, “friend” and more. And of all that is written on him, his kind-heartedness and generosity forms the major connecting thread that links each piece together in the collection.

    In it, you’d see a Zard (whether as a boy or man) that is full of love for and have contributed a lot to development of humanity, Nigeria in particular. You’d also see a man of immense humility who is touching lives without blowing his trumpet even at his age.

    In his tribute to this humanitarian, Chief Olunloyo describes this quality as “silent philanthropy”, stating that it, along with “compassion” and “kindness”, are some of the many hallmarks of his character.

    Some like Omololu, Layonu and Chief Ade-Ajayi and family calls him “a true Omoluabi”, meaning “a son of the soil”, “Omo ‘Badan” and a “Zard of Ibadan” who has been part and parcel of the Ibadan social life even before he became naturalised.

    “Long before his naturalisation as a Nigerian and his conferment of National Merit Award of the Order of Federal Republic (OFR)…Raymond Zard has been elevating every aspect of life in the historic city of Ibadan over the years.

    In her piece, Mrs Ade-Ajayi recounts the many contributions of Zard to the development of Ibadan and its social life.

    In addition to listing some of Zard’s philanthropic exploits, naming him the “doyen of donors”, Marinho describes him as a promoter of educational causes such as being patron at Educare Trust geared towards touching the lives of youths.

    The National Chairman, National Association of Catholic Diocesan/Secretaries of Education (NACDDED), Revd Fr Richard Omolade, urges the privileged class to emulate the qualities of Zard by reaching out to the poor. In his words: “Only by this way can we create a kingdom of love, justice and peace”.

    But the book is not only full of praises for the humanitarian, it also has diverse pictures of Zard. There are those which have the philanthropist receiving awards, charity work and support for sports and with notable personalities like a former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, the late Chief Bola Ige and his wife, Justice Atinuke, etc.

    However, going by the series of praises for the philanthropist, to a reader it would appear that Zard does not habour any human weakness at all. This does not reflect the human nature in its entirety. Hence, even though as a collection of tributes, the book sets out to praise his admirable qualities, the editors could have looked at his life’s experiences in its entirety, including his challenging moments and mistakes which he was faced with and overcame on his path to greatness.

    Since the book is a motivational of a sort, the editors should consider the above observation in subsequent editions. This would go a long way to motivate the young. They should also ensure it is available to the public.

    Written in an easy to understand language, it can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The book makes an inspiring read that reminds its reader of the enduring virtues of that should be emulated, such as humility, endurance and charity.

     

     

  • Charity home battles to save 15-yr-old TV commercial model struck with strange illness

    Charity home battles to save 15-yr-old TV commercial model struck with strange illness

    HOW could caring parents have abandoned their bed-ridden 15-year-old daughter for God knows where? The poser has become a refrain on the lips of residents of Agbado Road, Ijaiye-Ojokoro, Lagos State, ever since one Lateef, an auto technician and his wife abandoned their daughter, Kaosarat, who is laid back with a strange illness at home.

    The burden of caring for Kaosarat is currently being shouldered by neighbours and a social worker, Mrs. Titilola Adesida of Charity of Peace for Idle Hands and Gender Equity, Ikeja, Lagos State.

    The landlord of the building where Kaosarat is currently holed up, Mr. Idowu Ogunbanwo, explained that the couple may have fled their home following their daughter’s worsening sickness.

    “They moved into this house about seven years ago with Kaosarat but her condition was not as bad as it is now. She used to talk very well but she suddenly lost her speech and could no longer walk properly, probably as a result of being kept indoors. They told us that she was struck by a strange illness when she was barely five.

    “They claimed to have done their best to salvage her from the debilitating sickness and instead of seeking further medical solution to her problem, they abandoned her at home without a trace, leaving their eight-year old son, Augustine, behind to take care of her.

    “They had been owing rents for about three years now and all the efforts at persuading them to pay up have yielded no fruit. It was only three days ago that I was able to lure her father to come around so that we can settle the matter amicably. But I was smart to have invited the police as soon as he came around. He was taken to Ojokoro Police Station where he wrote an undertaking to pay up or move out of this building.

    “Kaosarat’s case is not getting any better as she has been infested with bed sores after being kept in the room for many months”.

    Findings revealed that Kaosarat had once featured as a baby model in a television commercial for a notable brand of multivitamin syrup manufactured by a leading pharmaceutical company when she was barely two years old.

    “Kaosarat’s parents said that she was used as a model for a television advertisement of multivitamin syrup when she was just one year and few months old. They even showed us the promo pack of the drug and other location shots. They claimed to have been paid about N10,000 as her participation fee then,” recalled Ogunbanwo.

    Our correspondent saw Kaosarat in a corner of the room, on a clothe spread on the floor with scars of bed sores all over her body. She had shrinked so much that she could be passed for a two-year-old. She muttered in Yoruba “ebi npa mi”( I am hungry). Her looks give a feeling that she is living on a borrowed time as medical help eludes her.

    In her words, Adesida said:”I was alerted by the landlord of the building, Mr. Ogunbanwo in 2012 and my organisation has since been responsible for her treatment at home. After her initial treatment, her conditions were stabilised only to relapse a few days ago. We have been carrying out periodic checks on her but her worsening condition has made us to cry out for support, so she won’t die. Last year, we took her to the Ikeja General Hospital but we were told that there was no bed space. It was at a private hospital that doctors gave some prescriptions that helped in stabilising her condition; otherwise, she would have died.

    “Since we took over Kaosarat’s case, I have not seen her parents and efforts to convince them to show up during our telephone conversations have failed.”

    Speaking with our correspondent, Kaosarat’s younger brother, Augustine, recalled how he was asked by his parents to keep watch over his sister.

    “I was formerly a student of Above Glory Nursery and Primary School, Ojokoro, but I stopped in Primary Six because of my sister. My eight-year-old younger sister, Aminat, now lives with one of my mother’s friends. My parents stopped me from schooling so as to take care of my elder sister and because they said there was no money to fund my education.”

    Augustine’s explanation was reinforced by his mother’s friend, Mrs.Eniola Shotunde, who explained why the couple had to abandon their daughter, Kaosarat.

    She said: “I warned Kaosarat’s mother against abandoning her daughter on the excuse of not having enough money to take care of her treatment. She had spent so much on Kaosarat’s illness to the extent that she sold her property in Ikorodu after her business collapsed. One of her sisters who works in a Lagos- based aviation company had also assisted her financially on a number of occasions. Koasarat’s parents claimed that she was hit by a strange illness called Apeta (an evil arrow) in Yoruba. They have been moving from one church to another and visited several spiritual healing homes to no avail.

    “I only took in the couple’s youngest daughter called Aminat on humanitarian grounds. At times, I would beg her on the telephone to come home and take care of Kaosarat but she would turn down my plea. I have not seen her for some time now. It is sad that Kaosarat’s parents are nowhere to be found because their innocent daughter had once given them joy as a baby when she featured in a television commercial of a multivitamin drugs.”

    In a telephone conversation, Kaosarat’s father, Lateef, said he left home to look for money to take care of his daughter but hung up when our correspondent queried his long absence from home.

    “I did not run away from home and I have not abandoned my daughter. I travelled out of town to look for money to take care of her and I cannot tell you when I will be back.”

     

  • MIKEL TO ATTEND ESSIEN’S CHARITY GAME

    MIKEL TO ATTEND ESSIEN’S CHARITY GAME

    SUPER EAGLES midfielder, John Obi Mikel, Petr Cech and Paulo Ferreira have all confirmed their participation in Michael Essien’s charity game in June.

    The Ghana midfielder will be hosting several world class footballers to his second charity game on June 8 dubbed: “The Game of Hope and Inspiration”.

    The game which will take place at the Accra Sports Stadium is to raise funds for five charities yet to be determined.

    Amongst a host of world superstars including Real Madrid ace; Cristiano Ronaldo will line up against the finest players from the Africa continent in a World XI vrs Africa XI match.

    Chelsea trio; Mikel, Cech and Ferreira, friends of Essien have also confirmed their participation in the grand event to hit the Ghanaian capital.

    “I support the game of hope for two reasons; first is the reason of the game itself and second is Michael as a person, he is very generous guy, always positive with a smile on his face and he can spread this amongst the other people.

    “Games like these can always give hope to everyone and show that there is still unity amongst the people towards the difficulties in our world,” Petr Cech said in a promotional video for the charity game.

    “It is really important for us players to give something back and I think what he is doing is amazing and it is fantastic,” Ferreira added.

    “To give back to society, to the country, to where you come from ….. and I think Michael has been doing this for the past years and if there is any way I can support I will do my best,” Mikel also said in the video.

    The charity match is the second organized by the Ghana international since being appointed as an ambassador for peace by the African Union.

    Essien organized a similar event which pulled an impressive crowd at the Accra Sports Stadium in 2011.

    This year’s event will feature a musical concert which has multi American award winner Wyclef Jean performing alongside other international musical icons.

  • Charity home gets a lift

    Charity home gets a lift

    Aim Group, owners of Cool FM, Wazobia FM and Nigeria Info FM, has donated N1million to the Heart of Gold Hospice, an orphanage that caters for children with special needs in Lagos.

    The Hospice manager, Mrs. Adedoyin Adelaja, flanked by some of the children from the home received the cheque at the Head office of the media group in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Mrs Adedoyin said the Hospice in Surulere, Lagos Mainland provides home for children with special needs such as cerebral palsy and other forms of disabilities. She said she was shocked when she got a call to come for the cheque, adding that without the support from the media, the Hospice would not have gotten to where it is.

    “The power of the media is so much that without people talking about Heart of Gold on the radio, television and print media, we would not be where we are today. Thank you very much”.

    She urged Nigerians to take out time to come to the home and play with the 46 children in the Hospice, saying it is worth more than any financial aid.

    Presenting the cheque, Group Managing Director of AIM Group, Mr. Amin Moussalli, said the gesture was part of the organisation’s support to the care of less privileged children.

    Moussalli, while praising Mrs. Adelaja for the sacrifice in caring for vulnerable children, urged other corporate organisations to support orphanages and non-governmental organisations in the business of caring for children.

    ”Those in the media have the liberty to say what they want to say. I think people like agencies should directly assist, budgets should be given directly to orphanages to help them in what they do” We don’t know the other side of the coin except we see disadvantaged people. Mrs. Adelaja with what you do, I feel you have a place in heaven.

    He added that the AIM Group will give more to the Hospice subsequently.

    On her part, Chief Operating Officer of AIM Group, Evita Moussalli said the gesture was part of the organisation’s corporate social responsibility(CSR) to support worthy cause. “One of my favourite quotes says that what we get makes a living, what you give makes a life”.

    The organisation also presented a car as a star prize to the 29 year old winner of 2012 Praise Jam, Miss Amy Yawus. Moussalli, who presented the car key to the winner, said it was part of their giving back to the society.

    Yawus, who said the car came as a surprise, recounted that she has always attended the annual praise jam without any inclination that it was through it she will have her first car.  ”I’ve always attended Praise Jam. Last year, I was leaving with some of the friends I came with when I heard the raffle draw was about to start.

    “When I heard my raffle number called out for the star prize I couldn’t believe it, so I told someone to help me check if it was really my ticket number. I was so overjoyed”, she said.

  • NGO urges improved charity

    President of Jesus Cares Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Evangelist Silas Anoruo has called on governments at all levels, well-meaning Nigerians as well as non-governmental organisations to improve on their charity efforts in order to better the standard of living in the country.

    He made the call in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, during the distribution of stationery to indigent school children.

    Evangelist Anoruo, who commended the efforts by various governments in poverty alleviation. He also said that quality education is important in any society, stressing that more attention should be paid to how to get the children roaming the streets back to school.

    Wife of the NGO’s President, who is also the coordinator of the foundation, Ruth, said education is the empowerment that every child needs for self- enhancement. She also said that such empowerment would enable them to contribute positively to societal development.

    “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” she said.

    The guest speaker, Apostle Bolaji Akinyemi urged the beneficiaries to always put God first in all they do and to take their studies seriously.

    Also speaking at the programme tagged “Back to School,” the proprietress of a private school, Mrs Funmilola Aderogba called for the inclusion of vocational studies in school curriculum at all levels as, according to her, this is a sure way in improving people’s living condition, facilitating self-employment and job creation.

    “If we combine academic activities with vocational training, the country will go thousand miles, like India, China and other developed countries,” she said.

    The programme was held at a branch of Winners Chapel Church, at Iyana Church, Ibadan.

    Highlight of the occasion was the distribution of over 5, 000 exercise books, mathematical sets, biro, pencils, erasers and rulers to 275 students in some public primary and secondary schools in Ibadan.

  • Kanu to star in Essien’s charity match

    Kanu to star in Essien’s charity match

    Michael Essien is continuing his efforts to give back to his native Ghana. The Real Madrid midfielder has decided to organise a friendly match between African and European players on 8th June in the Ghanaian capital of Accra. It will be christened the ‘Essien Game of Home’, and will be the second charity fixture he has arranged, following his debut effort in 2011, in which the likes of Drogba, Adebayor, Kanu, Joe Cole and Malouda featured.

    “Our aim is to bring world stars, both past and present, to Accra, just like we did in 2011, to raise as much funds as possible for those in need”, Essien told his personal website.

    The Ghanaian powerhouse, whose Michael Essien Foundation has been running diverse projects in his home country since it was set up three years ago, is extremely excited about the match and will likely invite some of his Real Madrid teammates to take part.

    “I hope to see a great turnout from local Ghanaians, just like in 2011. We are in contact with some big names and I’m sure we’ll be able to take them to Ghana again”, Essien stated.