The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Foundation

  • Foundation laying for Editors’ Plaza holds March 1

    The foundation stone laying ceremony for the multi-purpose Editors’ Plaza owned by the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) will hold on Thursday, March 1 at the project site located in the Guzape District, Abuja.

    In a statement, NGE Publicity Secretary Ken Ugbechie said former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, who is also the Senate Minority Leader, will chair the event. Foremost industrialist and Chairman of BUA Group, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, will perform the traditional ‘turning of the sod’ to herald the construction of a befitting plaza for Nigerian editors.

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Alhaji Mohammed Bello and his Information and Culture counterpart, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, are expected to grace the occasion.

    Other dignitaries expected at the event are governors, heads of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), members of corporate Nigeria, the business community, media executives, etcetera.

    The journey of the proposed Editors’ Plaza started on April 10, 2014 with a fund-raiser in Abuja under the leadership of the then President of the Guild, Mr. Femi Adesina. The goal was to raise funds to build a befitting secretariat for the Guild in Abuja to be named as Editors’ Plaza. It is worthy to note that in its over 55 years of existence, the Guild does not have a secretariat of its own.

    Part of the money realised from the fund-raiser has been used to acquire a property in Ikeja area of Lagos State christened Editors’ House, which functions as the Guild’s secretariat in Lagos.

    The President of the Guild, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, said part of the proposed Editors’ Plaza in Abuja would serve as the Guild’s secretariat in Abuja and the rest would be leased to the public as offices.

    When completed, the multi-storey edifice, which will sit on an expansive 5,600Sqm piece of land, will add to the vastly changing Abuja landscape.

    According to Egbemode, the construction of the Editors’ Plaza offers friends of the Guild, individuals and corporates and all advocates and lovers of free press an opportunity to partner with Nigerian editors whom she described as the torchbearers of the nation’s democracy and bulwark against tyranny.

  • Foundation trains 200 teachers

    The Bunmi Adedayo Foundation (BAF), established to honour the legacy of the late Bunmi Adedayo, the only son of owners of Tastee Fried Chicken (TFC), will hold its second Continuous Professional Development training programme for 2018 on February 22.

    The first workshop for the year for 200 select teachers from 18 public primary schools in Lagos State held January 4.

    The training which would last the whole year would be interspersed with monitoring visits by assessors to the schools of participants.

    A statement on the foundation’s website noted that there would be six trainings between January and November this year.

    Speaking at the first training, Mr Babatunde Akinleye, Chairman, Board of Directors of BAF, underscored the need to reform and retrain in-service teachers for better education service delivery.

    He said the foundation was committed to reducing the percentage of quality and qualified primary school teachers in Nigeria, which the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) reported is between 30 and 40 per cent.

    Also speaking, the Chairman of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (LSUBEB), Dr Ganiyu Sopeyin, praised BAF for its continuous investment in education in the state since it was founded in 2016.

    Sopeyin further urged the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity to improve their professionalism.

    Dr Dolapo Ogunbawo, Training Consultant to the Foundation, described teachers as the gateway to the future of the nation. She underscored the importance of qualified manpower in the education sector and the need for teachers to recognise of their role in moulding lives.

    During the workshop, participants were divided into four groups to allow for deeper discussions.

  • Foundation trains 17,000 police officers on human rights

    Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) has trained 17,000 police officers on human rights.

    Its Executive Director, Mrs Gloria Egbuji, disclosed this in her address at the 25th graduation  of Police  Human Rights Officers held at the Police College, Ikeja.

    Mrs Egbuji said her foundation decided to focus on the Police to re-orientate them and improve the image of the force.

    She commended the Lagos State government for its support in the training of the Police officers on human rights.

    The foundation, particularly, praised the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for its support in training the rank and file of the state Police Command on how to write and file charges and on investigation of crimes to prevent situations where innocent persons would be charged to court unknowingly.

    For her zeal and passion for justice reforms in the DPP, Mrs Titilayo Shitta-Bey invested with the  Star Award of Appreciation in appreciation of her support in training of Police Officers in Human Rights issues.

    In her response, the DPP thanked the foundation for the award and promised to assist it in any capacity to move the state forward and improve on her human right index.

    CRIVIFON was established in 2006, to further educate the Police on the rules and their roles in fighting crimes in the society.

  • TBWA, Ford Foundation win grand prix award

    The annual leadership conference which held in Durban, South Africa, recently saw the TBWA Africa\Middle East Network comprising creative, PR and digital agencies from 26 countries  across Africa and the Middle East, proving its worth and mettle by winning the star prize of the night.

    The agency was recognised for its “Africannes” as well as for celebrating creativity, craft and effectiveness of campaigns over the last 12 months.

    The Proudly Made in Aba Campaign (PMIA) won the Grand Prix Award which is an award given to the campaign that is not just “best in class” but “only in class”. The Grand Prix, the highest possible recognition of its kind in the network, is only awarded when a campaign is seen to meet the very highest standards in creativity, Execution and Impact. This was only the second Grand Prix awarded in the last five years.

    Speaking at the award ceremony, Mr. Hunt, specifically mentioned the importance of ensuring that communication campaigns are not treated with a knee jerk/start and stop approach but with a clear intention to create impact and affect the lives of people.

    He recognised that the Proudly Made in Abu campaign had clearly demonstrated these positive traits and also commended TBWA\CONCEPT Nigeria for finding the right partner in Ford Foundation, who helped drive the success of the campaign.

    He was also particularly excited that the campaign is continuing into the next year with even more initiatives both with Ford Foundation and also new partners who are keen to support the campaign, having seen the power and impact of the campaign.

    The awards were received on behalf of TBWA\CONCEPT by Kelechi Nwosu (Managing Director), Ranti Atunwa ( Creative Director) and Osibo Imhoitsike ( Business Director) Speaking on behalf of the agency, Kelechi Nwosu, was thankful to the jury and TBWA\ AME network for the recognition and support in pushing the campaign beyond borders.

    He also recognised Ford’s role in not only believing in the initiative but also providing continued support for the project as well as the Abia State government team for their support in executing the campaign.

    He affirmed that the PMIA project was going on to do even more in 2018 and beyond.

    The PMIA campaign had earlier won a Gold and Silver in other categories before winning the ultimate prize. The Gold Award in the Use of Content category, was celebrated as an excellent example of allowing the people a platform to tell their stories and then packaging it in a way that it would be resonant and striking to the audience, leading to emotional and practical connections. Mr Hunt, made it clear that there was a need for more of these type of examples of telling African stories to the world, in order to reshape the perceptions of Africa and celebrate the beauty, strength and industry, as represented by the story of Aba.

  • Foundation, lawyers present wheel chair, car to colleague

    Foundation, lawyers present wheel chair, car to colleague

    Ubani Foundation and a group of lawyers from the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has presented a motorised wheelchair and a car to a physically challenged lawyer, Mr. Bamidele Idowu.

    Ubani, NBA Second Vice-President and Chairman of the NBA Welfare Committee said: “A lawyer brought the plight of Mr. Bamidele Idowu to my attention and I promised to help out.

    “When my primary constituency failed, I ran back to some of my colleagues who generously contributed initially for a motorised wheel chair, but fate changed the situation completely and we went for a car also in addition to a wheel chair.

    “Ubani foundation sowed the initial seed and so many other lawyer colleagues from Ikeja keyed in and that brought us this success story today.

    “I thank over 42 other lawyers who sowed this seed, most of them do not know want their names disclosed.  One Senior advocate of Nigeria who is a member of this branch gave us N100,000.00, the second highest donor after Ubani Foundation.

    “Others gave N50, 000.00 and several others N10, 000.00 and N5, 000.00 according to their economic strengths.”

    A director at the Citizens Right Centre of the State Ministry of Justice, Mrs. O.I. Adesina, who represented Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, praised Uani Foundation and the lawyers for their humanitarian gesture.

    She promised to draw the government’s attention Ubanui’s request that Idowu be offered employment in the Ministry of Justice

    Idowu expressed appreciation to his colleagues for the honour done him.

    “I feel great. My colleagues and the NBA have solved the problems of mobility for me. My greatest challenge now is how to have and maintain a regular income to sustain myself.

    “This will either come through employment or setting up a law office. I do not have a law office; I just do some charge and bail at Ikeja, Lagos to make ends meet.

    “I am optimistic as Mrs. Adeniji promised to mention my case to Governor  Ambode,” Idowu said.

  • LBS donates to Bethesda Educational Foundation

    As part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives of adding value in the area of education, Lagos Business School has donated ¦ 500,000 to Bethesda Child Support Agency, a non-profit organisation that caters to the needs of less privileged children.

    The donation, which was presented at LBS, is in fulfillment of one of the pledges made in 2016 to commemorate the School’s 25th anniversary.

    Aderayo Bankole, Head, Corporate Communications, Lagos Business School, said during the presentation that the donation was in line with the school’s vision of giving back to the society, particularly in the area of education where LBS chooses to make an impact.

    In achieving that, Bankole explained, LBS “sought for a foundation that has a structure with a good track record and found Bethesda Child Support Agency worthy of this donation.”

    She further said that the donation was for a good cause towards providing educational opportunities for children in poor communities, advancing the educational sector in the society and implored the management of the foundation to make good use of it.

    Ijeoma Nwachukwu, Programme Director, Bethesda Child Support Agency, expressed her appreciation to LBS and assured that the money would be used to improve the lives of over 800 students currently under the direct care of the agency.

    “Presently, we have over 869 students in Bethesda direct care who receive free education from nursery to secondary school level.”

  • Tolaram Foundation, Rotary promote CSR

    TOLARAM Foundation and Rotary Clubs of Lagos Island and Singapore have launched their Global Grant Project offering free 1,700 artificial limbs to the physically challenged. Each cost N400,000.

    At the ceremony in Victoria Island, Lagos, Ishlak Tolaram Group founder, Molaram Vaswani, said he was happy to assist the less-privileged, adding that he hoped the gesture would impact lives. The septuagenarian said this was part of the industrial giant’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to its host country.

    Rotary Club of Lagos Island President Sanjeev Tandon said his club was glad to offer physically challenged Nigerians and other nationals the rare opportunity to get free artificial legs, urging those who need them to seize it to better their lives.

    He said his club partnered the sister club in Singapore to boost their programmes as they could not do it alone due to shortage of funds. He advised those in need of the prosethic limbs to see the club’s officials who would take them to the Ishlak Limb Centre, assuring that they would get one same day.

    Rotary Club of Singapore (District 3310) President Dr Shahil Hammed said they supported the Global Grant Project because they wanted those who lost their limbs to be on their feet again, be independent economically and have self-esteem. He said a recipient of the limb could either be employed or be self-employed.

    District 9110 Governor Dr Wale Ogunbadejo praised the synergy among the clubs and the Tolaram Group. He said the aim of Rotary International is to fill the gap where the government and individuals could not assist. ‘’I feel happy that Rotarians from Singapore and Nigeria are coming together to meet the needs of the people,’’ he said. While looking forward to bigger collaboration among Rotarians, Ogunbadejo thanked the Lagos Island Club for the ‘’huge donation’’, describing the club as being on a higher pedestal than others.

    Head of Project, Ishlak Limb Centre Neha Mehra said the objective of the centre is to help physically challenged with plastic limbs and arms, which she said are better than wheelchairs. She said the centre has fabricated  over 1,000 limbs since its inception in 2009. He attributed the rise in amputated legs to accidents and diseases. ‘’this si why we want to help the people,’’ he said.

  • Foundation to Obiano: Tackle insecurity in Onitsha

    Foundation to Obiano: Tackle insecurity in Onitsha

    A socio-cultural organisation, Ogilisi Foundation, has urged Governor Willie Obiano to tackle the rising cases of insecurity in Anambra, especially the commercial town of Onitsha.

    The foundation made the appeal when it hosted the management of Anambra Vigilante Service (AVS) at the Rojenny Tourists Centre, Oba, Idemili South Local Government Council area yesterday.

    The AVS management was led to the event by its Chairman and Special Adviser to the Governor on Vigilante Matters, Chief Ikechukwu Aduba, a retired Commissioner of Police.

    The group said criminals were back in Onitsha and were operating as syndicates and called on the governor to urgently address the situation before it becomes a nightmare for travellers and residents.

    Leader of Ogilisi Youths Mr Anthony Ogbugo, said though high profile armed robbery and kidnapping were not common, the rate of small crimes in the area was high.

    Ogbugo said 70 per cent of the crimes were carried out in the motor parks.

    He said there were some drivers who specialised on arms smuggling and conveyance of armed robbers to operations, adding they were ready to work as volunteers with the AVS if their safety was assured.

    “I have worked in the transport sector in Onitsha for a long time and with my experience I can tell you that 70 per cent of crimes in Onitsha happen in or through the motor parks. The uncoordinated nature of parks in Onitsha has made the place a good ground for criminals.

    “As I am talking to you, small crimes take place every time of the day, those snatching phone have unions with branches like Iweka, Ibolo and Tarzan branches and those called floating.

    “Some operate with wheelbarrows, others with commercial motorcycles otherwise known as `Okada, we know them and how they operate but we are afraid to give out this information because most times they come back to us as soon they are arrested and become threats,” he said’.

    Another speaker, Nwabueze Nwoke, said these criminals operated brazenly in the day light and most times under the watch of security agents who do not interfere.

    Nwoke said they had a strong association that when anyone was caught they turn their victims to suspects and over power the people around.

    “They have very strong unions, one day I heard one accusing the other of not joining them and threatened not to help rescue him again when next he was caught.

    “These things are done in the open at the parks, bus stops and even where the police people are close, they do not look in the victim’s way,” he said.

     

  • Foundation brings ‘regimes of truth’ to Lagos

    As a way of uniting local and international artists through images that encapsulate individual experiences and identities from across Africa, the Lagos Photo Festival is hosting its 2017 edition. The festival, which began last Friday, will run till December 15, 2017.

    The festival, which was established in 2007, is the brainchild of the African Artists’ Foundation (AAF), a non-profit organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of contemporary African art through art exhibitions, festivals, competitions, residencies, and workshops.

    With the theme, Regimes of truth, the festival is set to present photography as embodied in the exploration of historical and contemporary issues, the promotion of social programmes and engagement of public spaces in showcasing contemporary photography.

    According to AAF, the programme of events with cultural and artistic gains will include exhibitions of finely curated works of photography from the African continent and the Diaspora, large-scale and performative installations dotted around iconic public spaces in Lagos, artists’ presentations and workshops.

    Organisers stressed that Regimes of Truth ruminates on the tension and confluence between veracity and artifice in Nigeria, saying that it explores the pursuit and presentation of truth in contemporary society while drawing inspiration from the writings of some of the 19th and 20th centuries’ influential literary realists and intellectuals such as Gustave Flaubert’s L’Empire de la Bêtis (The Empire of Stupidity), George Orwell’s creation of ‘doublethink’ from his dystopian novel 1984, writings of Foucault, Chinua Achebe and Huxley.

    “Through their works, LagosPhoto’s exhibiting photographers will articulate how photography embodies the cohesion, as well as the juxtaposition of truth and reality in modern society. Contemporary photography serves as a gatekeeper of reality and truth as well as a conjurer of artistic imaginings for the viewer’s pleasure and introspection. Historical work, archival material, reportage, collage, conceptual and non-conceptual image-based approach will be considered,” they said.

  • Beauty queen launches foundation

    The reigning Miss Electronic Media Nigeria 2016/2017, Queen Gift Isioma Okolie, has disclosed plans to launch a foundation to create awareness and combat the scourge of cervical cancer in Nigeria come January 30, 2018. The name of the foundation, according to her, is ‘El-Beulah Foundation’, “which will be in celebration of the cervical cancer awareness month in January and preparatory to my handover to a new queen of Electronic Media Nigeria”.

    She said, “as the month of January draw near, the least we can do for humanity is to bring the news nearer and closer to the general public, especially the women. That is what we have committed ourselves to, using El-Beulah Foundation as a platform to combat cervical cancer. Remember that cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer worldwide with almost 80 per cent occuring in developing countries such as Nigeria.

    As part of her pet project in the course of her reign as a queen, Okolie said she has in partnership with some philantropic Nigerians and organisations especially in Nasarawa state impacted on the lives of the needy. These assistance were in the form of donation of food items, cash donations to motherless babies homes in Nasarawa State including Maimuna Katai Orphanage Lafia.