The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Foundation

  • Foundation gives farmers N100m loan

    An industrialist, Chief Chamberlin Okechukwu Adiaso, has  given a N100million loan to farmers in Abia State.

    Adiaso, Mayfair Project Ltd Managing Director, said the loan was disbursed through the Nma Abia Co-operative Society.

    He spoke during opening of an hospital in honour of his mother Mercy Adiaso in Obieketa autonomous community in Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of the state under the auspices of this foundation.

    He said: “I am the initiator of Nma Abia. We gave out agricultural loans free of interest in 2016. There are so many young men and women, who are loitering the streets because they have no one who can give them even N20, 000 to support their education. We have set up an educational scheme that cuts across the length and breadth of Abia State.

    ‘’Apart from giving out agricultural loans and scholarships, I have also been engaged in upgrading infrastructure in the rural communities. I started grading roads in my local government area and beyond to help open up the rural areas and create access to the villages.’’

    Hailing Adiaso for the gesture,  Think Nigeria First Initiative Director-General, Alhaji Abubakar Tsanni, urged states to emulate him to develop their communities.

    He urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ukwa Ngwa Local Government Area to imbibe President President Muhammadu Buhari’s change mantra by electing incorruptible leaders.

    Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice Chairman in the state Chief Allen Nwachukwu praised Chief Adiaso for his empowerment of less privileged across the state.

    He said Adiaso touched many lives by donating N100 million for agricultural soft loans.

    The traditional ruler of Obieketa autonomous community, Eze Charles Chukwudinma, thanked  Adiaso for grading all the roads in the local government and beyond.

    The Diocesan Bishop of Ngwa Central Diocese Rev. Prince Uwaomakalu said Adiaso’s late mother, was a merciful woman, was kind to the church, ministers and expectant mothers. He said her maternity home should be named Mercy Maternity Home.

  • ‘My Lagos Diaries’: Foundation to air emotive stories of villains of Lagos dens

    ‘My Lagos Diaries’: Foundation to air emotive stories of villains of Lagos dens

    From Akala in Mushin to Empire in Yaba and several other hideouts in Lagos, a documentary titled ‘My Lagos Stories’ captures touching stories of villains who are trapped in the most illicit world of drug addiction, prostitution, armed robbery and other vices.

    Packaged as a television series, the documentary which will premiere to the public on January 21 at the FilmHouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos is a project of Freedom Foundation, a faith-based nonprofit organisation of the House of Freedom, headed by Pastor Tony Rapu.

    The documentary which was unveiled to the media on Tuesday is an inspiring rehabilitation stories that serve to sensitize the public on the struggles of underprivileged persons and the danger they could pose to society if not quickly transformed. The series also provides opportunity for interested individuals and organisations to support Freedom Foundation’s vision via donations and funding.

    According to Rapu, ‘My Lagos Diaries’ is a first-hand experience of challenges people face trying to survive in the city of Lagos.

    He said: “Since inception, the Freedom Foundation has transformed and positively impacted several lives in impoverished communities including but not limited to Ejigbo, Ijora, Iwaya, Bariga and Somolu, and led to the creation of this video journal which documents 10 years of my team and I’s experiences in these areas.”

    He further stated that the premiere will launch the 13-week documentary series which will begin airing online on Freedom Foundation’s YouTube channel as well as on television from the end of February.

    “It will tell some of the real stories of rehabilitated prostitutes, armed robbers, drug addicts, beggars and other neglected individuals in the society,” he said.

    “Our aim is to achieve individual transformation and subsequently, community transformation. Apart from the Freedom Foundation, the ‘God Bless Nigeria’, our sister initiative works directly with people at the grassroots level in these poor neighbourhoods,” said Rapu, adding that “’God Bless Nigeria’ goes into neighborhoods, interacting with the people, reaching into the community and Freedom Foundation runs the professional programs of rehab and empowerment through Genesis House, Bethesda and House of Refuge.”

    The premiere is also expected to feature a private viewing of “Reflections”, a unique photo exhibition by Kelechi Amadi-Obi where he uses notable celebrities as models to depict thought provoking poverty scenarios.

    “This exhibition is designed to build further awareness and trigger social change and soul searching amongst Nigerians,” said Rapu.

  • Foundation opens entries for scholarship exam

    The Yomi Otubela Foundaiton (YOF) has called for entries for its 2017 scholarship examination holding on Apri 14.

    At a briefing held at the Lagooz School, Agege, Chairman of the Foundation, Chief Yomi Otubela, said its website would be open for registration for the two-stage examination until February 24.

    He said the portal, which has been open for registration since December 21, last year, has been enhanced to address problems noticed during last year’s exercise.

    “The YOF team has put some measures in place to prevent the shortcoming we had during the last scholarship examination. For instance, some features have been added to the registration portal to prevent multiple registrations. The website address is www.yomiotubelafoundation.org,” he said.

    At the end of the 2016 scholarship exercise, which had over 200 participants, Otubela said YOF awarded scholarships to seven students, namely: Shomide Emmanuel, Lawani Elizabeth, Adeyemo  Semilore, Emmanuel Ibe, Sonaike Feranmi, Iyinoluwa Ajayi, and Adeyemo Christabella.

    He also named Basirat Usman and Timilehin Isaac Idowu as previous beneficiaries of the scholarship scheme.

    YOF Coordinator, Ololade Shodiya, called for support for the foundation’s many projects, which she said were adding value to the lives of youths and teachers in Nigeria.

    The projects include full and partial scholarships (full scholarship for ‘A’ students as well as indigent students); human capacity development project (which delivers entrepreneurial training to youths); empowerment scheme (which provides seed funds to youths to start businesses), and training for teachers.

    “Our efforts and contributions to humanity over the years have endeared us to many awards and recognitions. We would like to call on well meaning Nigerians and International philanthropists, aids and support agencies and government to partner with YOF in the execution of her projects,” she said.

  • Foundation empowers 24 with N50m

    Foundation empowers 24 with N50m

    Anambra State governor, Chief Willie Obiano and the traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, have said youth empowerment is a necessary factor for the growth of any economy.

    They spoke at Dolly-Hills Hotels in Onitsha during an award ceremony of INTAFACT Hero’s Foundation where 24 youths received N50 million with which to begin their own businesses.

    Achebe, who is the chairman of the foundation, said the programme was aimed at creating and developing business entrepreneurship in the youth.

    He further said the programme would reduce the rate of unemployment among the youth in the Southeast, adding that the foundation hopes to extend the gesture beyond the zone in future.

    The monarch said the programme had become an annual event to prevent the youth from taking to crimes, adding that arrangement for the 2017 edition was underway, while the process would begin early next year.

    For Governor Obiano, the programme was consistent with what his administration was doing in youth empowerment, where, according to him, over 600 youths had been empowered after their training at the agricultural school at Mgbakwu.

    He said the major component of his 2017 budget proposal was youth empowerment, adding that it was the best way to tackle the current economic recession in the country.

    Obiano further stated that his government was committing N20 billion on roads as the dry season had begun. He commended the monarch for such life-changing initiative.

    He also thanked the monarch for the empowerment of youths he initiated in his domain, which the governor described as keeping the youth away from crimes such as kidnapping and robbery.

    During the empowerment programme, 24 youths received the sum of N50 million, with the overall best, Mr. Obinwugo Charles going home with N5.5 million, while Miss Ngozi Areh, who came second received N3 million.

    Others received N3 million, N2 million, while some received between N500,000 and N600,000 respectively depending on their area of study.

    Mr. Obinwugo, who spoke on behalf of others, assured the foundation that they would not disappoint them, while urging other youths to engage themselves in productive ventures that will keep them away from all forms of criminal activities.

  • Foundation to build secondary school in Delta community

    The management of Felix Anirah Foundation has pledged to build a secondary school at Ugbakele village in Mosogar community of Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State.

    It said this would fulfil its quest to make education accessible to the residents, irrespective of social status.

    Addressing reporters at the weekend on the project site, a former chairman of Sapele Local Government Area and the foundation’s President Felix Uruemuesiri Anirah said the foundation emphasised helping the needy and ensuring their happiness.

    The former council chief said the first phase of the project – a block of six classrooms with a staff quarters – would be ready by in April while the other phase would be ready by in December.

    On the need for children to get quality education at all levels, the activist emphasised the need to have a good learning environment.

    Anirah said residents of Ugbakele had suffered long enough, hence the foundation’s resolve to help them.

    He thanked God for giving him the grace, love and providence to help the needy.

    The activist said the foundation would any resident, irrespective of his or her background, to uplift them.

    Residents of Ugbakele received members of the foundation during the inspection of the proposed site for the school.

    They expressed joy that the area would get a secondary school where their children would get good education.

    On behalf of the community, Chief Friday Anuya, Chief Johnson Tobi, Mr. Emmanuel Orogumoku and Mr. Benson Ewhariemu expressed gratitude to the foundation.

    They pledged to ensure that the project’s success.

    The foundation’s Coordinator Tony Uba said the school was among the projects the foundation would complete in the New Year.

    Dignitaries in Uba’s entourage included Chief Thomas Akpodiete, Ogheneovo Dumi, Anderson Opefu, Prince Osioh, Chris Anthony and Amos Tadaferua.

  • FBNInsurance Group donates to Down Syndrome Foundation

    Sister insurance companies, FBNInsurance Limited and FBN General Insurance Limited, has donated some items to the Down Syndrome Foundation as part of their Corporate Social Responsibilty (CSR), Managing Director, FBN General, Bode Opadokun, has said.

    He made this known at the resource centre of the Foundation in Lagos, saying the companies were committed to the general upliftment of the society.

    According to him, the companies donated various food items, toys, beverages and some cash to the management of the Foundation.

    He added that the items were largely raised through the companies’ annual Staff Gift drive, an in-house scheme that encourages members of staff of both companies to donate various items to a common cause.

    While receiving the combined team of both companies, the Foundation’s Administrative Manager, Muyiwa Majekodunmi, thanked the companies for the gesture and used the opportunity to enlighten the team about Down Syndrome.

    He said: “Down Syndrome is just a freak of nature; it’s a chromosomal defect. Each cell contains 21 chromosomes, but for Down Syndrome patients, somewhere along the line during conception, an additional chromosome pops up thus causing the condition.

    “These are wonderful kids and the reason why we exist is to act as an advocacy group for them and ensure that they become useful to themselves and the society. We are like that bridge between them and the society.”

    Opadokun charged the management to keep up the good work.

    “We know something great is happening here and as companies committed to the general upliftment of the society, we will always do our bit to encourage and support the continuous success of the Foundation,” he said.

    FBNInsurance Limited and FBN General Insurance Limited are both members of FBNHoldings associated with the Sanlam Group.

  • Excitement as foundation donates to 650 widows

    Over 650 Christian widows from Rundele community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State are now sure of cooking and eating rice to celebrate the New Year celebration. Thanks to  the Alice Worluh’s Widows Foundation.

    The event which took place at St. John Anglican Church, Rundele was not the first outing of the foundation. This was the 10th edition.

    Some widows were crying while others were rolling on the ground after receiving rice and other items. The reason for the overwhelming joy was not because they were among the beneficiaries but because they thought this year’s event would have be cancelled.

    Of course, their assumption was due to the current economic hardship of the country and for the fact that the founder of the programme has been out of public  office for two years.

    In a short  but touching sermon,  Rev  Ven.  Fortune Okechukwu   said: “Everybody is benefiting, even Christian widows who are not from Rundele but reside here was also considered. If every politicians and privilege individuals in this area can donate one item as token from what God has done in their lives then the society will be a better place. We must learn how to give others especially those who are in need of our help.”

    Some of the beneficiaries, who spoke to The Nations, said they would continue to be grateful to God for using the chairman of the foundation, Sir Lucky Worluh to touch their lives.

    Mrs. Priscilla Ogbu, one of the beneficiaries, said: “Women in this area will forever remain grateful to the foundation. The most important thing is that six poor widows who have no house to sleep, today have a roof under their heads which was provided by the foundation. You can see how happy these widows are because the foundation has provided them with relief materials, wrappers, and rice.”

    Another beneficiary, Mrs.Anthonia  Agbovu, said God would meet the needs of founder for carrying  the burdens of widows in the area.

    ”God has been using Sir Worluh to provide for us through his foundation.  I am not happy being a widow, but I am glad to be one of those receiving from the free will donation of his foundation.

    Worluh said: “I have been out of work for two years, yet I told God that what I entered with Him was a covenant agreement. That even if I did not have money to buy them rice I must look for a way of showing love to them. I can buy biscuit and groundnut to celebrant them. What I’ m doing does not have any political undertone rather it is purely charity; I am wining souls for God through almsgiving.

    ”I am interested in their welfare. One who gives to widows, God replenishes him or her. Based on some biblical testimonies, I am still striving to be like people of old who gave their all to the service of God.  I derive joy in reaching out to widows.

    ”This is the only way we can appreciate God for all the numerous blessings he has freely given to my family. My own mother was also a widow. She suffered so much bringing up her children just that death couldn’t allow her eats the fruit of her labour. So, the only thing I can do for her is to immortalize her name through this Foundation, (Alice Worluh Widow Foundation).

    ”I have  helped a lot of people as a civil servant even as I am out of work I will continue to assist them. I built houses for six widows; I was not doing this because I want to contest an election like some politicians do. But I am doing this because I want to make them happy and use that opportunity to bring them closer to God.”

  • Foundation takes career talk to schools

    Members of Helpmate Foundation (THF), a non-governmental organisation, have hosted some secondary school pupils in Lagos to a career talk on how to achieve their dreams.

    Director of the foundation and Biology Education student of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Rasheedah Opera said the career talk with the theme: Unveiling the potential of the youth for a better community, was informed by the need to build a better community of innovative youths.

    She said the foundation was committed to helping youngsters discover their potential from secondary schools. The principal of Zumuratul Islamiyah Senior School, Mr Fatai Lawal, led the teachers and pupils to receive the visiting THF team.

    A facilitator and Editor of African Economic magazine, Mr Oluwaseun Shoperu, told the pupils to learn skills and shun vices that could derail their dreams. He advised them to be optimistic about the future and take their education as priority.

    He said: “Believe in yourself and ability to make your life better. What anyone thinks about himself he will become. Failure is not the end of life. It is only the lazy people who don’t want to experience failure in anything they do. When you have a setback, think of other ways to go and move on.”

    Shoperu advised the pupils against procrastination, which he described as a “dream killer”. He said procrastination robs people of opportunity to achieve their aims and potential.

    “Learn how to consult people who have same aspirations with you. Meet experienced people and mentor. Praying to God on regular basis and praying on your dreams and aspirations is good. Negative people will only draw you back from achieving your potential,” he said.

    Another speaker, Ibrahim Yusuf, a final year student of Microbiology at UNILAG, counselled the pupils on good attitude. He urged them to always show positive values towards the activities they engage in.

    Yusuf said: “Ensure you know what is important to your dreams and learn from the people who have become successful in order to know how to navigate your ways to your dream land. You must be able to have a great dream and set goals on achieving it.  Self-belief is very essential in achieving your dream.  A realistic dream must be mindful of your environment. Identify good values in the environment you live in.”

    Lawal was optimistic that the programme would help the pupils achieve success in their studies and career.He advised the pupils to show commitment to excellence.

    The principal promised to maintain collaboration with THF to support the programme. The foundation donated materials, including books, school bags, pen and mathematical set, to some of the participants.

     

  • Foundation honours ex-lawmaker

    The Hon. John Okoye Foundation has held the maiden edition of its marathon race for men and women in Aguluezechukwu town in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The mini-marathon race had a distance of 8.5 kilometres for the men and 3.6 kilometers race for the women.

    The foundation was instituted by the sons of the late Hon. John Okechukwu Okoye, who served in the Federal House of Representative from 1979 to 1983 in his honour.

    Among them is former presidential aspirant, Chief Godson Okoye and Lagos based lawyer, Mr Ifedi Okoye-John.

    The Aguata Local Government Sports Council, the Police, Federal Road Safety Corp, and a medical team with two ambulances were on hand to monitor the race.

    Traditional ruler of the of Aguluezechukwu,  HRH Igwe Felix Ebelendu, praised the foundation for using the marathon to unite the town, promote health consciousness, sports development and tourism.

    The coordinator, Okoye-John, said the marathon would be a yearly event.

    He said it would be expanded to accommodate participants from all the towns in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State and beyond in subsequent editions. Various prices were won by the constants

  • Foundation trains 180 physically-challenged in skills

    Foundation trains 180 physically-challenged in skills

    No fewer than 180 disabled people have passed out of the Bina Foundation for People with Special Needs. The foundation, which was founded by Lady Ifeoma Atuegwu, is a non-profit making and charitable organisation which  alleviates the pains and sufferings of the poor and needy and improve the lives of people with special needs.

    Present at  the annual graduation ceremony were the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, former Information Minister, Chief Nnia John Nwodo (Jnr) , Archbishop of the Anglican Communion, Enugu, Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma and Mrs Betty Akeredolu, the wife of Ondo State Governor-elect.

    The Bina Foundation provided training for the 180 physically-challenged students and indigent widows in computer literacy, catering/fast food, bead making/wire works, tailoring/fashion designing, cosmetology, paint making and hairdressing.

    Others skills they learnt included barbing, shoe and bag making, GSM phone repair, TV and radio repair and musical band.

    The founder and president of Bina Foundation, Lady Atuegwu said: “None of these graduating students will go home empty handed. The foundation will provide resources to assist them in their next phase of life. We will provide all necessary equipment, including sewing machines, gas cookers, hair dryers, barbing salon, beads, GSM phone and TV and radio repairs equipment, among others.

    “We will also disburse start-out cash where possible to enable them to start their own businesses and hopefully become employers of labour.”

    The Bina Foundation fulfilled its promises as all the graduating students received their various equipment and cash where appropriate. Many of the equipment were sourced from donors, the Ministry of Labour and Employment and the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

    To this end, Lady Atuegwu said: “The presence of His Excellency, Senator Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment in Bina Foundation has always given our students a re-assuring sense of belonging. We are happy you are present at this event. May God bless you for your love for the needy and the partnership of the foundation with your ministry.”

    Lady Atuegwu further acknowledged “all the friends of Bina Foundation and all the corporate organisations that had, in one way or the other, supported us. May God bless you all as you continue to give to the less-privileged.

    She congratulated the graduating students on their will power, steadfastness and decision to reject begging, self-pity, laziness in order to acquire skills that will help them in life. She also announced that the foundation would also celebrate the “Widows’ Day of Joy” for the indigent widows in the society with the distribution of Christmas gifts which will include wrappers and rice, among other items to enable them to celebrate Christmas with joy.

    Lady Atuegwu also revealed that the Bina Foundation was able to employ some ex-students of the skills acquisition centre after graduation, adding, “likewise Michelle Laboratories Limited (owned by her husband, Sir  Atuegwu) the major sponsor of Bina Foundation also offers employment to some of our students after graduation.”

    She appealed to other employers of labour “to give employment opportunities to graduates of Bina Foundation in order to help integrate them into the economic activities of the society and give meaning to the new skills they have acquired.”

    The chairman of the occasion, Chief Nnia Nwodo praised the foundation for including widows in its programmes. However, he  passionately appealed to the foundation to include widowers in its programme, at least in the area of psychological assistance.

    “I am saying this because I am using myself as an example. Since I lost my wife about three years ago, I discovered that any house without a woman is not complete. Although I can comfortably provide all the needs of my children, that motherly vacuum needed to be taken care of.”

    He pleaded to the Bina Foundation to extend their visits to motherless homes and offer them psychological message as they still needed that motherly care.

    Nwodo praised Bina Foundation and the Atuegwu family for their selfless services and divine love for humanity.

    “This family is devoting scarce resources to take care of the needy. It is something to be encouraged,” Nwodo said.