The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Children

  • Have money before children, orphan says

    TO Obehi Tosin, an orphan and an SS1 pupil of El-Christal College, Olowonla, Alimosho, a Lagos suburb, the Citadel of Grace Orphanage, also in Olowonla, Alimosho, is more comfortable than his former home, but he would have preferred to live with his parents.

    The 14 year-old, whose real name was Olateju David before it was changed by the orphanage, participated in a camp for orphans organised by Infinity Foundation – a Non-government organisation that supports orphanage homes.

    He told The Nation that he lived with his grandmother until last year when he was brought to the orphanage by his mother, Miss Modupe Adeleke.

    Though an only child, he said his mother struggled to cater for him and pay his school fees.

    “I am from Osun State. I was living with my grandmother at Oshogbo. My mum came and took me to Lagos last year to the orphanage because she could not continue to care for me. Mum tried all her best to take care of me. She was struggling to pay my fees and take care of me from the small kiosk she has, but she could not meet up,” he said.

    Tosin, who said he did not know his father, advised couples to give birth to those children they can cater for and save enough money before starting a family so that their children do not suffer.

    “Although they are treating me well at the orphanage and I have never regretted going there, I would have loved to be in a home with my parents. I feel really bad when I see other children with their parents. Another thing I don’t like is the fact that we all have to change our names even as we know our birth names and our parents cannot do anything about it as long as they are taking care of us,” he said.

    Speaking at the camp, Mr Stephen Akintayo urged people, who cannot take care of their children to bring them to the orphanage homes where they will be properly taken care of instead of dumping them by the roadside or treating them badly.

    “People feel they must have many children for one reason or the other even if they do not have the capacity to take care of them,” he said.

    He called on the wealthy to assist orphanage homes or adopt children.

    During the three-day camp, the orphans were paired with influential people in the society, who mentored them.

    They also met successful orphans, who shared their stories. They also visited exciting places with the adults.

     

  • NGO seeks end to violence against women, children

    Anon-govermental organisation, Hope For Life Initiative, has embarked on a campaign to end violence against women and the girl-child.

    The NGO, in collaboration with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) and the Lagos State Ministry of Education, have within the last four weeks, led the initiative to propagate the “HeForShe” campaign in three schools.

    The schools  include Oduduwa Junior High School, Gbagada, Anyangburen Senior Secondary School in Ikorodu and Isawo Junior High school, located at Agric area of Ikorodu.

    Director, Hope For Life Initiative, Kendi Aig-Imoru called for an end to violence against women and the girl-child, urging boys to assist girls to jointly sustain the ideals of the HeForShe campaign.

    She reiterated the importance of the project and the opportunity of spreading the message outside the school particularly to the community.

    An Education officer, from District 11, Maryland, Mrs. Bunmi Olanrewaju, reiterated the importance of the project and the opportunity of spreading the message outside the school particularly to the community.

    The initiative began at the Oduduwa Junior High School, Gbagada in Bariga on November  26, last year where representatives from Hope for life initiative led by Aig-Imoru introduced the details of the campaign.

    Aig-Imoru spoke on the importance of not only taking the message to at least 10 persons outside the school, but to their brothers, sisters and families, stressing that it was important that the change to end violence against women and the girl  child must began at home with every one present.

    She emphasised the importance on saying “No to Violence” and the ideals of the campaign.

    The students then presented a drama piece which was followed by words of wisdom by the students on the need to stay away from gender violence. The event also witnessed discussion session with the students and question and answer session.

    The campaign also moved to Ayangburen Senior Secondary School, Ikorodu, on December 4, last year. At the event, a representative of the Ministry of Education was on hand to assure government’s support for the campaign at both schools.

    Fron Ayangburen Secondary School, the team proceeded to Isawo Junior High school where everyone, including participants, had an interesting walk.

    At the end of the exercise, the students in all the schools visited promised to  uphold the ideals of the HeForShe campaign.

    The organisers of the initiative have, however, expressed their appreciation for the support by UNIC, which was represented in all the schools visited by Envera Selimovic and Mrs. Folashade Ogunnaike of the Lagos State Ministry of Education.

  • NGO stresses love, care for children

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Loving Gaze Schools, has underscored the essence of giving care and love to children, particularly during festivities.

    Loving Gaze, who is the general manager, Barbara Pepoli, spoke at the SS Peter & Paul Creche, Nursery & Primary Christmas party. It featured over 360 students and their families in attendance.

    Pepoli said such gesture would give the children a sense of responsibility and make them discover the beauty around them.

    The Christmas party was celebrated with the support of Kinder Joy, a children household event which featured a Santa Claus that gave each kid a package comprising chocolate and toy.

    He said: “We are delighted to celebrate this year’s Christmas party with the support of Kinder Joy. We share the same values for our children: Joy, quality of education and surprise for the beauty of the world. It is every child’s right to receive care, attention and love. We want them to be aware of their dignity and infinite value; this is our education through all our activities.

    “We want them to grow, discover the beauty around them and become responsible adults. Our school’s motto for this academic year is: What is essential can be seen only with an open heart. We hope that our children will see the true spirit and joy of this Christmas celebration.”

    He explained that Loving Gaze is a not-for-profit organisation, with 25 years of experience in Nigeria. It is run by 150 Nigerian professionals, Italian expatriates and international volunteers. The NGO focuses on underprivileged communities especially, in Lagos and Taraba States, through educational activities, basic health care service, women empowerment and vocational training,” Pepoli said.

    The party afforded the pupils opportunity to participate cultural dance, dance, songs and drama presentations. Aside, participating families and teachers had the chance to meet and discuss.

    SS Peter & Paul Creche, Nursery & Primary School was founded  by the NGO as a social service, providing basic quality education to all children regardless of religious, ethnic or economic background.

    The school began operation in 1991, as a Catholic private school.  At present, school enjoys international exposure with eight international volunteered teachers from France, Australia and Italy.

     

     

     

  • Boko Haram victim cries out: Where are my seven children and their mother?

    Boko Haram victim cries out: Where are my seven children and their mother?

    A man in his early 40s is frantically searching for his wife and seven children. He has not sighted them for more than three months after their Vi village in Adamawa State was invaded by the deadly Boko Haram sect on September 7. Matthew Zira said he had conducted all the search he could without the luck of finding any of them alive or dead. Now, he is roaming the streets of Jos, the Plateau State capital, frantically searching for his beloved family members.

    Narrating his ordeal to our correspondent in Jos, Zira said: “My name is Matthew Zira. I am from Vi village in Minchika Local Government Area, Adamawa State. I was living comfortably with my family until that fateful Friday.

    “Before that day, there had been rumours that Boko Haram would attack the village, but no one knew when they would come. So on that day, as usual, I went out of the house to look for my daily bread. I ride commercial motorcycle in the village, I am also a farmer, and did the commercial motorcycle work when farm work was over.

    “So, I left home as early as 6 am on the 7th of September 2014 on my motorcycle to commence the business of the day. But at about noon, I started hearing gunshots and everyone said Boko Haram had arrived town. I immediately rushed back home to go and evacuate my family, but before I got home, they had fled along with other villagers to an unknown destination.

    “I went round town looking for them but could not find them. I went to the police station, hospitals and everywhere but could not find them. Before the evening of that day, Boko Haram had already taken over the entire village completely. I was advised not to go back home because all the houses in the village had been razed by Boko Haram.

    “I fled to Minchika to continue the search for my children. Later, we had to flee to Yola when we heard that Boko Haram would attack Minchika. I spent one month in Yola searching everywhere for my children but I could not find them. Those of us who escaped from Vi village and other surrounding villages were camped at the NYSC camp in Yola. I thought of meeting my children there in the camp but they were not there.

    “I had to come to Jos because I was told that thousands of Adamawa people ran to Jos. But I have searched all the IDP camps in Jos since the 5th of November when I arrived, I can’t still find them. There is even no iota of information about where I could find them. “Others who lost their families during the rush to escape have found their people, but in my own case, I’m still searching in vain. It is only God that will reveal to me what happened to my family. So, I am only looking up to God now because I have done all that is humanly possible.

    “I am really in trauma; at night I can’t sleep, I keep thinking of my children. At times, if I am eating and the thought of the whereabouts of my children came to my mind, I will not be able to eat any longer, from that moment I will lose appetite.

    “I am pleading with any Nigerian who knows where I can locate my children to contact me on my phone – 07037728905. My wife’s name is Tinana Mathew. My seven children are Rita, Ziramatu, Tumbamatu, Kwata, Racheal and one-yearold Doris. Please, I am eagerly waiting for any information on their whereabouts.”

  • Okorocha, with his 5,000 children, marks 52nd anniversary

    Okorocha, with his 5,000 children, marks 52nd anniversary

    The 52nd birthday celebration of Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha was far from the pomp and ceremony that usually characterised the birthday of the high and mighty; neither was it low keyed as the Governor had instructed his aides, even though it was memorable and remarkable.

    The governor had initially planned to have an in-house celebration with his immediate family and close associates, but he was stunned by the large turnout of people, who besieged the Imo International Convention Centre (IICC), venue of the event to wish him well.

    At the well attended event, the philanthropic activities of the governor, especially his free education programme, were the focus of discussion among politicians and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who came from all parts of the country to celebrate with him.

    Also celebrating with the governor were the beneficiaries of the Rochas Foundation Scholarship scheme, whom he had adopted and given free education from primary to university levels.

    Though it is unimaginable for a man to have over 5,000 children which he adequately takes care of, no matter how wealthy he maybe, but not with Governor Okorocha who has ‘multitude’ of children.

    Owerri, the Imo State capital, witnessed a huge crowd when the Governor’s ‘children’ converged on the capital city to celebrate their father’s birthday. It was indeed an emotional gathering when the graduates and undergraduates of different universities in the country, spoke of how their educational careers were rescued through the scholarship offered by the Rochas Foundation.

    Most touching was the ecstasy of the ‘new children’ who had not come in close contact or seen their ‘father’, since they were ‘born’ into the Rochas family. It was a memorable re-union for those who had graduated and parted ways and had not seen their parents or siblings for a long time.

    Wishing the Governor long life, the students who were accompanied by their biological parents, thanked him for devoting his life to alleviating the plight of the needy. They described his adoption of the over 5, 000 children as an unprecedented philanthropic gesture.

    Recounting his experience, Mohammed Lawal, a 200-level student of Kano State University, described the Governor as the hope of the poor, adding that the Rochas Foundation has assisted young Nigerians irrespective of their tribe and religion to realise their educational dreams.

    He said: “My father is the most generous and detribalised Nigerian that I know. If other leaders can have his kind of disposition towards the poor, the world will be a better place. I am studying Business Administration at Kano State University today because of the Rochas Foundation. I had lost all hopes of attaining higher education because my poor parents could not afford it until I came in contact with the Rochas Foundation, where I was offered a scholarship.”

    For Miss Mary Salami, a student of Medicine at Ahmadu Belo University Zaria, the Imo State Governor was a God-send that rescued her from her poor background.

    She said: “I have been down without hope but I refused to give up. It was in the search for a means to pursue my destiny that I ran into Rochas Foundation and I am living out my dream. So, my advice to other people in my situation out there is not to allow their socio-economic background to tie them to the ground.”

    The testimony was the same with other beneficiaries, especially those that have graduated from the University and are gainfully employed.

    Describing the governor’s philanthropic gesture as shocking, the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, said the level of affinity between the Imo State Governor, the students and ex-students of the Rochas Foundation is simply amazing. He urged other leaders and politicians to follow his good example by investing heavily in human capital development.

    He added that, “some say that the Imo State Governor is doing all these because of politics. But if this is what politics is all about, then it is good. Governor Okorocha has proved to be a leader with a large heart and this is what Nigeria needs at this moment.”

    In his speech, Governor Okorocha said: “I am celebrating light over darkness, and victory over ignorance.  The Rochas Foundation spread in all the six geo-political zones of the country is an initiative to give back to the society what God has blessed me with, by offering hope to the hopeless and the less-privileged.

    “My joy lay on the fact that God has blessed me to bless others.  Seventy-five per cent of my wealth goes to charity. I have every reason to be a detribalised leader if elected the President of this country, having been born by Igbo parents, educated by the North and empowered by the West.

    “My success story would not be complete without acknowledging the North for giving me the needed education and the West for giving me the contact which gave me financial success.

    “So, there is every reason for me to be a detribalised Nigerian when elected President.  With the help of God, I have fixed Imo State and I will also fix Nigeria to the glory of God.”

    He further assured that when elected President, “I will also make education free at all levels in the country as I have done in Imo State.  I have been a strong advocate of a peaceful and united Nigeria.  It is time Nigerians discarded ethnic sentiments for the country to achieve her goal of greatness.  We must say no to the deceit of ethnic and religious sentiments that have torn the country apart and embrace one another.”

    Describing the governor as a blessing to humanity, the Deputy Governor, Eze Madumere said: “The philanthropic activities of my boss started far before he joined politics. He is a man that does not want the poor or needy to cry. He has demonstrated this through the Rochas Foundation and his free education programme in Imo State.

    “His 52 years on earth has been a blessing to everyone that has come in contact with him, no matter your tribe or religion and we are wishing him a happy birthday and many more years of service to humanity and our nation. He is a man of vision who has the required capacity to enthrone change in the country.”

    Dignitaries present at the event were the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; South-West National Deputy Chairman of the party, Chief Segun Oni and other chieftains of the APC; not excluding thousands of young men and women who had benefitted from the Rochas Foundation Scholarship scheme.

  • Photo: Internally displaced children in Adamawa

    Photo: Internally displaced children in Adamawa

    SOME INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILDREN, FROM MADAGALI, MICHIKA AND MUBI LGA QUEUING FOR FOOD AT THE BAJABURE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP IN GIREI LGA OF ADAMAWA ON SUNDAY. Photo NAN
    SOME INTERNALLY DISPLACED CHILDREN, FROM MADAGALI, MICHIKA AND MUBI
    LGA QUEUING FOR FOOD AT THE BAJABURE INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS CAMP IN
    GIREI LGA OF ADAMAWA ON SUNDAY. Photo NAN

  • Set good examples for children, parents told

    An education consultant and psychologist, Mrs. Ena Agodo, has called on parents to set good examples for their wards.

    She gave the advice while addressing the graduation of Darforte International Schools, Ahmadiya Bus stop, Lagos.

    Her words: “Charity begins at home. No matter what the school puts in place for the children if the home environment is not conducive to learning, the children cannot excel. So, I want to tell parents to make the home peaceful, neat and caring. Let the children learn how to use their time. Parents should teach them morals such as hard work, integrity, discipline, patience and friendship. Let all parents set good examples for the children to follow.”

    Mrs. Agodo advised grandaunds on how to choose a career. “The best way to decide the profession to pursue is to follow your natural abilities and interest. Do not base your decision to on money,” she said.

    She emphasised the importance of deep thinking in the journey of life. She advised graduating students to embrace vigorous thinking as a way of life.

    The school proprietress, Princess Titilade Ijiwole, disclosed that the school has installed Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) in response to security challenges in the country. According to her, the new device would enable the school management monitor movement around the school in order to take appropriate action in the event of security breach.

    She assured parents that the school will continue to maintain high standard in every aspect of education of the children.

  • Children should learn emotional IQ, says don

    A teacher of Psychology, Dr Olu Omojugba, has underscored the gains of teaching emotional intelligence (IQ) to children.

    Speaking on the topic:  ‘Social and emotional intelligence: A tool for managing excessive behaviours among children and adolescents’, at the second teachers’ forum by Reonus Resources Educational Consult at Anthony Village, Lagos, Omojugba said emotional intelligence helps children to effectively negotiate complex social relationship and environment.

    “Emotional intelligence is the ability to monitor one and other people’s emotion; discriminate between two emotions, and label them appropriately, and to use emotional information to guide thinking and behaviors,” he said.

    He added that social and emotional intelligence could be taught by setting good examples for children, setting clear and reasonably high expectations, discussing about what is right or wrong with them, and teaching them how to handle their problems.

    He said aggressiveness, lack of confidence, loneliness, lack of respect for property of others, lack of team spirit, and the like are warning signs that children lack such skills.

    The event also featured the launch of the Edumonitor Magazine, which the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Reonus Resources Educational Consult and Editor-in-Chief of the magazine, Mrs Igbiaye Esther, said would celebrate education and cover school owners, civil service and the Ministry of Education.

    Other lectures delivered included:’ Professionalisation of the teaching ‘by Lagos State coordinator of Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mr Gbolahan Enilolobo; ‘Teachers career planning and entrepreneurial education, and teachers work-life-balance,”.

  • Children pray for release of Chibok girls

    Over 100 kids under the auspices of African Children of Peace Club (ACPC) drawn from across Lagos State last weekend interceded for the release of the over 200 abducted Chibok girls.

    The prayer marked with the mid-year children‘s intercessory prayer and valedictory service by ACPC, an arm of African Foundation for Peace and Love Initiatives in Egbeda, Lagos

    The session with the theme for the sake of our children we pray featured drama, song rendition and bible recitation, among others.

    One of the children at the intercession, Otimayin Naomi, said the Chibok girls’ abduction has “become a source of concern for us and we believe God that with our prayers, they will be released.”

    She explained: “We are children and we feel the pains, agony and trauma of our friends who have been held captive by the Boko Haram group.

    “We are praying that God will touch their heart and our friends will be released soon.”

    The founding president of APLI, Rev Titus Oyeyemi, said: “Our work is to intercede. Intercession will make the Almighty God, who has the power to release the Chibok girls, to arise.

    “We will ask God not to forget the sighing of these imprisoned girls.”

  • Imoke’s wife lifts Destiny Children

    Imoke’s wife lifts Destiny Children

    My name is Abigail and I play the violin. I have no one to look after me; so, I roam the streets of Cross River. Perhaps someone out there will help me. If they don’t, my destiny will be cut short, my talents wasted and I may never get to play the violin.”

    But, for the intervention of Obioma Liyel-Imoke, wife of the state governor, Abigail and over 100 street children in Cross River would have had no future.

    October 11 2009 marked a transition, an exodus of at least 54 despondent street children, in Calabar, the state’s capital, to a much more comfortable environment where they would finally fulfill their purpose in life. Their name was changed from Street Children to Destiny Children.

    But, it did not stop there. That same year, a fashion show was organised, by Obioma, whose name means, “Heart of Gold.” The fashion show tagged The Destiny Child Charity (DCC) Fashion show, which combines the best of music, culture, talent and fashion serves as a fundraiser for the upkeep of the Destiny Children. Here the children paraded alongside professional models and artistes. The Destiny Child initiative was taken to Atlanta, United States where Mrs Liyel-Imoke was the special guest of honour.

    “We key into this vision,” says Geoffrey Teneilabe, Nigeria’s Consul General to Atlanta. “What Obioma Liyel-Imoke is doing is innovative; she’s taking the rejected and downtrodden in our society and giving them life again. This is the first of its kind in Nigeria. We will encourage her every step of the way, and the Good Lord will give her the strength. We also pray for the means to sustain this laudable project.”

    “Our special guest has tirelessly served women and children in her community over the years. She is ably represented here this evening hoping to mobilise others to rise to the challenge of helping in our individual communities and communities worldwide,” said Norma Jean Martin, Founder, A Fashion Affair Inc, organisers of this landmark event.

    The wife of the governor, represented by the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Community Development, Patricia Endeley, gave insights into the child abandonment situation in Cross River State and in Nigeria.

    “Child abuse is not only on the rise but gradually assuming epidemic proportions. It has also been described by experts in the field as a hidden epidemic because most cases are largely unaccounted for.”

    “In Cross River State, two peculiar dimensions that are linked with a high incidence of child abuse are unwanted adolescent/teenage pregnancies and the child-witch phenomenon (a.k.a. the child-witch syndrome).”

    Though giant strides have been taken to alleviate this menace, Obioma acknowledges that the obstacles are huge. “We all will agree that running a charity organisation and projects of this magnitude are not devoid of challenges. Some include highly capital intensive and specialised nature of the residential care services for the DCC housemates; few skills options given to the beneficiaries of DCC due to inadequate funding; inability to purchase equipments/tools for DCC housemates trained on vocational skills to begin their small businesses and thus reduce level of poverty in their families; inadequate/lack of information about families of some DCC kids to enable family integration for existing housemates.”

    The DCC initiative is also garnering momentum with other stakeholders in the State of Georgia. Abby Ebodaghe, President of the Nigerian Women’s Association of Georgia (NWAG), at an event, said: “We’ve been in existence since April 2000. Our purpose is to empower women, youth and children in Atlanta and in Nigeria. We support 10 orphanages in 10 states in Nigeria including the FCT, and hope to extend this to two more, which may include the DCC.”

    The event tagged Afro Caribbean Splendour, which held recently at the prestigious Holiday Inn Dunwoody Atlanta, could be best described as a combination of the finest of Nigerian and Caribbean talent. It featured internationally acclaimed professional models as well as celebrities such as musician and songwriter Kenny Gilkes, jazz artist Andrew Lawrence, Adaeze Eluke, Carnival Calabar Queen 2010 and the current Carnival Calabar Queen Nancy-Olive Aisaghonhi.

    “We have faith that because MACA’s steps have been ordered to meet the right people here, we will collectively mitigate these challenges with your support, said the Wife of the Governor.”

    “I am proud to be associated with this event, I remain forever grateful to A Fashion Affair for taking our campaign to the next level and look forward to forging stronger links ahead,” she added.