The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Foundation

  • Foundation empowers Boko Haram victim, others

    Foundation empowers Boko Haram victim, others

    A Non-Profit-making Organisation Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), yesterday empowered 10 widows, including a woman whose husband was killed by the Boko Haram insurgents.

    The event, which was held at the Cathedral Primary School, Lagos Island, featured lecture, goodwill messages and distribution of materials to the widows.

    The foundation’s President, Chief Bintu-Fatima Tinubu, urged the society not to see widows as liabilities.

    Chief Tinubu, wife of former police chief, the late Kafaru Tinubu, said: “I know people look down on widows, but today I want to say that we are not liability widows; we are able widows. We are workers, labourers, mothers and professionals in our own rights. We do not want to be pitied; rather we want to be given a place and a fair chance like everyone in the society. We are able widows because single-handedly without our spouses, we have brought up worthy and great citizens.”

    Chief Tinubu thanked God for making many widows stand the test of time.

    “We are not going to give up because we have a lot to give out to make Nigeria better. So, I stand with you and share in your joy, sorrow, success and I say it is time for empowerment. Together, we will go out there and prove our worth and strength,” she said.

    The guest speaker, Alhaja Simbiat Agbalajobi, wife of former Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship aspirant, the late Prof Femi Agbalajobi, wondered why the society stigmatises the widows and condemned the attitude.

    According to her, widowhood is not a disease, adding: “Anybody’s husband can die whether old or young. That doesn’t mean the end of the world.”

    Life, she said, sometimes could be disastrous if a widow didn’t gather herself on time and move on with her life.

    According to her, the experience of mourning period is not palatable.

    Alhaja Agbalajobi enjoined government at all levels to evolve empowerment programmes for widows, saying they shouldn’t be left uncatered for.

    “Widows are part of the society; they have ways of assisting the society to develop if given proper orientation and a sense of belonging,” she said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Ama Muhammed, whose was among the victims of Boko Haram insurgents, said life had been tough since her husband’s death.

    According to the mother of five, her husband died during the bomb blast in Maiduguri, Borno State capital that killed scores of people a few months ago.

    She thanked the foundation for coming to her aid.

    Ama said she had been selling snacks to cater for the children’s needs.

     

     

     

  • Foundation seeks more attention for women

    Foundation seeks more attention for women

    OVER 300 participants  converged on the Women’s Optimum Development Foundation (WODEF) for the celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD), with the theme: Make it happen.

    They spoke of their commitment to national development.

    The event was held in partnership with the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Lagos.

    WODEF National Coordinator, Mrs Bimbo Oloyede, had drawn policymakers attention  and served as catalyst for change.

    She said some people had been asking what women have got to celebrate, noting that the answer given will depend on whether they are optimists or pessimists.

    Mrs Oloyede said: “Women have got lots to celebrate with a teenager like Malala becoming a global symbol for the education of girls, despite the fact that same remains unsafe in her own country of birth.

    “We are we celebrating when in India, over 90 women are being raped everyday amid a fierce debate as to whether or not the public should be allowed to watch a documentary film shot by the BBC, highlighting the issues surrounding a gang-rape which took place in New Delhi on a bus in 2012, from which the victim later died.

    “We are celebrating when instead of providing constructive and enlightening information, the internet and social media platforms are currently being used to promote a sophisticated on-line campaign to lure female recruits to Syria to perpetuate terrorist activities?

    “We are celebrating when over 200 girls, in their attempt to better themselves, acquire an education and liberate themselves from continued dependence are still at large, over one-and-a-half years after they were abducted in Chibok, in circumstances that are still not clear?

    “We are celebrating when because of Nigeria’s insurgency issues, hundreds of thousands of women, men and children have been internally displaced, forced to live from hand-to-mouth on paltry hand outs; so traumatised by the harsh realities of their present and the bleak uncertainty of their future that even if they had the opportunity, the last thing on their minds would be participating in the democratic process by coming out to vote. After all, we all know that the women and children are the hardest hit, don’t we?”

    These points, she said, make the question: ‘what are we celebrating salient whereas in our so-called democratic dispensation, are women more likely to reach reasonable levels of equal representation by appointment or through political Godfathers and less by the ballot box?

    “Our celebration will thus be more remarkable, if despite all the pictures painted above, each woman chooses to be an optimist which is why the IWD is not only recognise the global struggle of those working towards gender equality, but also to acknowledge the achievements of women who have made sacrifices in various ways to actualise development and improve the quality of life”.

    Mrs Oloyede noted: “Because of Malala and abducted Chibok Girls, girl-child education is now on the front burner of the development agenda of most countries. Also, because the taboo on discussing sexual violence has been broken, several new fast track courts have been created to hear rape cases in India.  Because of IDPs, INEC can now acknowledge the democratic rights and needs of other vulnerable groups like the visually impaired, the albinos and the physically challenged. Because of glaring inequality at the polls, women are now working in groups to train and support each other against the elections in 2019”.

    She called on  the forum not to be passive about the inequality and injustice being witnessed all around but to remain active, vocal and willing to be hands-on to ensure that each person makes a difference to realise the IWD theme and make it happen!

    Mrs Oloyede said this year’s theme is to show that women play vital roles as agents of development -from food security to the boardroom and from the theatre to infrastructure- adding: “Women are making it happen and contributing their quota towards socio-economic development, gender equality, women’s empowerment, women’ rights and the eradication of poverty. It is however important for us to carry the young ones along and encourage them to aspire to higher standards by exposing them to real heroes and heroines of development, whom they can emulate”.

    Highlight of the occasion was the presentation of ‘Rare Gems’ awards to 16 schools involved in WODEF projects since it started last June. The project is built around the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

    Mrs, Oloyede said eight schools researched a goal each to identify, actualising each goal, the others evaluates the Lagos State Government’s efforts to achieve the MDGs.

    The awardees, she said, “were nominated by the students and selected finally by our panel of judges”.

    She congratulated them on their determination to make an impact not because they are looking for applause, “but because they were determined to break out of the box of ordinary, therefore, they have become extraordinary because they thought no one was watching”.

    Her NGO, Mrs Oloyede said, remained grateful to UNIC, UNFPA and other supporters for their collaboration, encouragement and partnership related to the Rare Gems project.

    The  awardees are:

    • Eradication of extreme poverty and hunger received by Mrs Omowale Ogunride.

    • Achieving Universal Primary Education went to Hajia Maryam Garuba.

    • Promote Gender Equality & Empower Women was awarded to Her Excellency

    • Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire was received by Dettol.

    • Improve maternal health/Reducing Child Mortality was given to Ms.Ifeyinwa Madu.

    • Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & other Diseases went to Late Dr Stella Adadevoh.

    • Goal 8 winner: Developing a global partnership for development by Mr Saheed Adepoju.

    Dignitaries in attendance  included the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, representative of Lagos State First Lady, Dame Emanuela Abimbola Fashola,  Mrs Rhoda Ayinde,  representatives of UNFPA, Dr. Amaka Haruna and UNAIDS, Dr O. Asa, who gave goodwill messages.

  • Bullet partners Oguche Basketball foundation

    Bullet Energy Drink, an international acclaimed sport friendly brand, has officially entered into partnership with the Samuel Oguche Basketball Foundation to organise this year’s Samuel Oguche Annual Basketball Youth Camp which is scheduled for May 18 to 22 in Abuja.

    The partnership, as described by MD of Sun Mark Gulf, parent company of Bullet Sports and Energy Drink,  Sunny Ahuja is to encourage them to display their potentials through basketball with the platform created by the sports friendly brand, Bullet.

    It would be recalled that Bullet Energy Drink has been a worthy partner in sports development in Nigeria and beyond. It instituted and has been rewarding the nation’s athletes for their excellence in sporting activities including boxing, football and other activities are planned soon.

    Ex-international and respected basketball administrator, Skambo Morrison has praised Bullet Energy Drink for its unrelenting commitment to the development of sports in Nigeria and West Africa.

    A highly elated Morrison described Bullet Energy Drink as the backbone of the success of the Nigerian youth, adding that the company, through this sponsorship, has started a process of transforming the lives of Nigerian youth.

  • Foundation decries decline in reading culture

    Societal decadence has been attributed as a major factor in the decline in reading culture among pupils in Nigeria.

    Founder of Children Education Development Awareness (CEDAR) Foundation Mr Tofeek Ojo, said socio-economic factors- technology, poverty and nonchalant attitude of some teachers have depleted the act of reading.

    He spoke at the foundation’s quarterly quiz competition organised for public primary schools within the Mushin Local Government, held at Islamic Model Primary School Complex, Mushin.

    Toefeek stressed that though technology is important for a country’s development, most pupils have psychologically addicted themselves to its negative uses.  He said the internet which should be a source of knowledge has become the engine house where all sort of vices are perpetrated.

    “Most of our children are using it (technology) wrongly. They hardly read their books, they spend more time surfing the internet, watching pornography, indulging in internet fraud or wasting precious time chatting,” he said.

    He said most pupils are influenced by peer pressure which makes them indulge social vices thereby depleting their mental ability.

    He noted that the society once bemoaned the practice, adding that now, it has become a ‘normal thing’ which makes some parents shy away from the truth.

    Taofeek explained that some parents also pressurise their children into doing things illegal, when they depending on them to take up certain family responsibilities.

    “Some children do not even eat before coming to school; parents also don’t monitor their children’s’ education. Some teachers on the other hand are lazy; they don’t motivate these children to read. They forget that they are the moulders,” he added.

    Proffering solution, he advised that stakeholders should support pupils by creating an enabling environment for reading, celebrating, motivating and inculcating moral values in them.

    He noted that the foundation is focuses on resuscitating poor reading habit, adding that the poor performance in major public examinations gave him a wakeup call

    “Our children are no longer reading. This has been giving me sleepless night. When I hear the result of WAEC and JAMB it really touches me deeply, coupled with malpractice our children indulges in.  I deemed it fit that it is better for us to go back to the drawing board. Let us catch them young; by so doing, you are giving them a proper environment for learning, and then reading would now become a culture. I believe parents corporate organisations and teachers have to come together to make things work out well.”

  • Foundation calls for entries

    OYASAF Foundation and UFUK Dialogue Foundation has called for entries from artists and photographers for a photography competition titled: Colours of Harmony, which will hold in April at Abuja.

    Selected works will be exhibited in a travelling exhibition. Deadline for submission is April 6.

    According to the organisers, the competition is the second collaborative efforts at promoting Nigerian art.

    The first collaboration between the two foundations was titled: Art For Peace: Paint African Values. It resulted in a travelling exhibition of works of 13 artists in Abuja, Ethiopia, Istanbul and New York.

    This second is a photo competition of different parts of Nigeria, depicting the togetherness and cultural co-existence in our diversity. The photography competition will explore Nigerian culture, diversity and relationship of the different aspects of Nigeria’s cultural lives through the lenses of Nigerian photographers. It will be followed with a travelling exhibition in Nigeria, Turkey, United States, South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Benin Republic and United Kingdom.

    Each participant is expected to enter a maximum of 4 images of their choice with a 600 word description of each photograph being submitted. Fifty works will be recommended by a jury in Lagos for the Abuja photo competition. Submission of  passport photograph of each applicant, submission of filled out form accompanying the works submitted per artist, submission of detailed biography per artist, submission of details of each photograph submitted indicating, title, dimension and year of production.

    All entries must be of three megabytes in JPEG or JPG format, at least 300dpi per photograph, digital format and submitted online to our contact e-mail address: oyasaf2000@yahoo.com

    Participants should indicate the suggested price per artwork and the edition number of each photograph being submitted.

    The five prizes will be given out. They are: first prize N250, 000, second N200, 000, third  N150, 000, fourth 70, 000 and fifth N50, 000.

     

  • Foundation mentors students

    Knowledge came the way of 20 students of Community Senior Secondary School, Mushin,Lagos, benefactors of a day of photography under the Youth Empowerment Through Contemporary Art(YECA).

    Organised by African Artists’ Foundation(AAF), YECA is a programme targeted at the youth in communities in Lagos State through art courses, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities.

    The aim of YECA is to provide vocational training, the acquisition of livelihood skills and a solid extra-curricular outlet for youths in secondary schools and to position art as a viable career path.

    The day of photography held at the Community Senior Secondary School, Mushin. The pupils were shared into four groups. A group was assigned to a photographer with a theme to work on. Thereafter, the students went out within the school environ with a photographer to take pictures that would best describe the theme that was assigned.

    The themes included Handwork, Street and School game, Portraiture and Election and Trade. The photographers at the event were Benedicte Kurzen, Robin Maddock, Jide Odukoya and Bayo Omoboriowo. Before then, the students had a brief lecture on the basis of handling a camera, taking pictures and how technology has converted the Camera Oscura into the digital camera that is trending today.

    Gallery Manager, AAF and Coordinator/Facilitator, YECA, Mr Olayinka Stevens, said that YECA is part of AAF’s quest to give back to the society as an art organisation. He said that it is important to start teaching the students now at the early stage.

    “YECA began in February, 2014 with Euba Secondary school, Mushin,Lagos. The organisation then proceeded to Community Senior Secondary school, Mushin this year.

    “The day of photography is also an avenue of developing a close contact with the students and involve them in AAF’s activities like exhibitions, festivals and so on. Apart from photography, they are also taught paintings, sculptures and also contemporary art”.

    Mr Stevens said that the organisation is also working with two schools on the Lagos-Island; Isaleko Senior Secondary School and Girls Senior Academy.

    He said that the organisation gave out about thirty forms to each school for students to fill and a test was also conducted to determine the level of the students’ interest. “That was where we arrived at the final are in each school. At the end of the pilot programme, YECA will develop a curriculum to be presented for adoption in public secondary schools in Lagos state in order to re-appraise the curriculum with what is trending presently in the art industry”.

    According to him, Art Education is declining in the country due to the inadequate numbers of art teachers. “The programme is a way to give students the opportunity to venture into arts as a profession.

    We are teaching these students to be self-reliant”. One of the photographers, Benedicte Kurzen said that photography is a way to relate to the world and also to tell a story noting that ‘we the photographers are here to teach these children to understand the camera and how to use the light to make good pictures. Sometimes, a photographer has to convince people in order for then to take photographs’.

    Kurzen said that photography is a job you do out of passion and not for money at the initial stage. “So we are teaching the students on how to look at the environment in a different way. Picture is a tool that could also be used to open up the photographer’s mind”.

    Another photographer, Jide Odukoya said that the aim of the programme was achieved at the end of the day because the students were smart; putting into practice all they have been taught. “They surprised me with the way that they were so particular about details”.

    The initiative is sponsored by Ford Foundation with partnership from Nokia Microsoft.

     

  • Foundation seeks research into sickle cell disorder

    NO Fewer than 150,000 babies are born yearly with Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD), a sickle cell expert, Prof Olu Adeyanju, has said.

    Adeyanju, chairman of Sickle Cell Foundation of Nigeria (SCFN),  is calling for more support for those with the disorder

    According to Adeyanju, who spoke during Arik/SCFN forum in Lagos, Nigeria being the largest African country, has the highest number of the condition in the world.

    This, prompted the establishment of the sickle cell centre in 1994. The centre, he said, is the only one in Africa. “The United States (US), which has lesser number of carriers, has 21 centres. It has been contributing to research,” he said.

    Adeyanju spoke of how the US found ways through research  to make life better for carriers.

    One out of four Nigerians, he said,  is a carrier, adding that one person in 12 Afro-Americans has SCD.

    He said it was necessary for Nigeria to train doctors, nurses and medical laboratory scientists, among others, on the management of the condition.

    This capacity building,  he said, would help to prevent wrong diagnosis and ensure proper treatment. “This will make them know when patients have serious crisis and the necessary steps to take,” he said.

    He said Americans manage their sickle cell disorder better  as the average lifespan of carriers is 60 years, adding that it is better than those with the condition in Nigeria.

    “Patients can live longer in Nigeria if we do research to help them,” he said.

    The professor invited those with research proposals to present them to the research committee.

    “Research can help reduce the pains and ensure that the crisis is controlled,” he said.

    Senior Vice President, Commercial, Arik, Mr Siva Ramachandran said the condition is serious and as such requires urgent attention.

    “It is serious like HIV and AIDS and it affects the children,” he said.

    He said his organisation has been carrying out awareness on its flights to sensitise the people on the need to support the foundation.

    “We will continue to support the foundation strongly, especially with the Inflight scheme,” he assured.

     

  • Foundation screens 2, 500 men for prostate cancer

    No fewer than 2,500 men have been screened for prostate cancer in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt by the United Bank for Africa Foundation (UBAF).

    The Foundation’s Managing Director, Ijeoma Aso, said prostate cancer is easy to cure when detected early.

    Aso, who spoke during the screening  in Lagos, tagged: “Walk, jog and cycle against prostate cancer”, said the exercise was to ensure that men are protected against preventable diseases, especially prostate cancer.

    He urged men to screen for the disease, stressing that many of them do not usually take their health seriously unlike women, who visit hospitals regularly.

    She advised men from 40 years and above to screen for the disease yearly, adding: “If it is detected early it can be prevented.”

    Ms Aso encouraged governments and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to organise more programmes for men to check their health status.

    She said the four-day yearly screening programme is not sufficient as it can only cover a very large percentage of men.

    “Women are always visiting the hospital to check their health, but men hardly visit the hospital or have health screening. So, we are using the medium to encourage men to test for prostate cancer,” she said.

    The exercise, she said, has been carried out since 2011.

    A beneficiary, Mr. Tayo Daisi, said the test is a must have for men because early detection saves lives.

    Daisi, a technical assistant with Vigeo Holdings, said everybody should be health conscious.

    He said the programme has given men an opportunity to screen without going through the rigours of accessing care in the hospital.

    A laboratory scientist in-charge of the tests, Mr Alabi Adebowale, said one of the factors resposible for prostate cancer is race, adding that it has made black men more susceptible to the disease.

    He urged early treatment because the disease is curable and preventable.

    Adebowale said anybody, who tested positive during the screening, would be referred to secondary ot tertiary health facilities for prompt treatment.

     

     

  • Foundation brainstorms on deepening democracy

    The Bishop of Ijebu North Diocese (Anglican Communion), Rt. Rev Dr Solomon Kuponu, has urged the Christian community to participate actively in the forthcoming general elections.

    He said as change agents, Christians must shine the light in politics and dispel darkness in the country.

    Kuponu spoke recently at the 4th Rufus Okikiola Ositelu Foundation (ROOF) colloquium in Lagos.

    The theme of the colloquium was “2015 elections: Reflections and way forward.”

    According to him: “If it is true that the light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overshadow it ,those of us who love this country and want the best for ourselves and our children must be active in the political process.”

    The chairman of the board of the trustees, Rev. Felix Fagbemi, said the foundation was established to promote democracy, freedom, human rights and justice.

    He added that the foundation will also conduct research, organise seminars, symposia and lectures on issues and topics related to good governance.

    Professor William Fawole of the department of International Relations, Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, delivered the guest lecture.

    He called on the civil society to engage in continuous sensitisation, enlightenment and mass mobilisation for popular vigilance in defence of democratic gains.

    He urged elected leaders to rise to the responsibilities and challenges of leadership.

    Political parties, he said, must embrace internal democracy to deepen civil rule.

     

  • Foundation for a stable family (3)

    Dear reader, last week, I explained the place of commitment in laying a solid foundation for a stable family.  Today, I shall be looking at the place of understanding in building a stable family.

    If you must enjoy stability in your family, therefore, there is one very important factor, which is understanding.

    You need an understanding of yourself.  You must know who you are and understand why you are here on earth.  You must understand that God sent you here on earth on a purpose.  You must understand that you are not an accidental creature.  You must understand that the family to which you are born is no mistake.  You must understand that God who made you can never mismanage your life. The Word of God says: And with all thy getting get understanding (Proverbs 4:7).

    Until you are in harmony with yourself, you can never enjoy stability in your family. How much of yourself do you understand?  If you don’t have a good understanding of yourself, there is no way you can enjoy stability in your family.

    You Must Understand What Marriage is and What Marriage is NotThere are several people who are married, but lack the understanding of what marriage is all about.  There are others who are not married; they want to get married but lack the understanding of what marriage is all about.

    What then is Marriage?

    It is a union of a man and a woman in an exclusive, God-ordained, lifetime relationship. If you have this understanding, no matter the challenge you face in your marriage, you know that you and God are up to it.  Marriage is a perfect union with imperfect practitioners.  If you have an understanding of this, it will help you to enjoy a stable family.

    A wise man once said, “Because God is the Author of marriage, there is nothing you can add to it, all you need is to believe it and practise it”. As you practise it, it will begin to work for you.  It is a perfect union, God makes no mistakes, but the practitioners are imperfect.  This will help you to walk with your spouse in marriage, to enjoy harmony.

    Marriage is not just a means of getting what you desire, it is a means of meeting the needs of your spouse in marriage.  It is God’s mystery for earthly dominion.  And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth (Genesis 1:28). One will chase a thousand, and two will not just put thousand to flight, but ten thousand.  That is God’s mystery for earthly dominion.  So, when you get into marriage, you have a potential of minimum being ten times over better in all areas of your life.  That shall become your testimony.

    Marriage is not the source of joy and contentment, God is, and so you walk together with God in your family, He will begin to unfold to you via His Word and begins to manifest Himself in your home.  I see God beginning to manifest Himself in your home much more than ever before.

    Your understanding of your spouse

    For you to have a stable home, you need to understand your wife or your husband.  You must get to know that everything about God is unique.  There are no two people on planet earth that are exactly the same.

    You are unique, you are peculiar, your spouse is, your children are peculiar and everyone God has made.  You are not a carbon-copy of anyone; you are original and so is your spouse.  You must understand your spouse, if you must enjoy a stable family.  Understand his or her background.  Understand his or her likes and dislikes.  Understand what makes him or her happy.  Understand what affects his or her mood.

    For those who are yet to be married, before you say, ‘yes I do’ to any man or lady on the altar, ask yourself, ‘How much of him or her do I really know?’  Someone met me some years back; they were married three months before then. As at that time, both of them were fed up, ready for divorce.  I asked a simple question, “How much of your spouse did you know before you got married?

    To be able to understand your spouse effectively, two things must be in place;

    1.You must be sensitive. Never you walk

    around with your eyes closed.

    Your mind is a sound mind, be sensitive.

    2.Communicate effectively. Communication is the life-blood of any relationship.  Learn to communicate effectively with your spouse. When you know how to do this, it will help you to understand who your spouse is.   You need to ask questions.  The disciples of Jesus were around Him, they didn’t only listen to His teachings, whatever they didn’t understand they always asked and Jesus never told them, ‘shut up’. He always answered their questions.  So, rather than assuming that you understand, ask question. How about this area? How about that area of your life?  Communicate so you can have a better understanding.  When communication is effective, you are laying a solid foundation for a stable family.  Understanding is what is required to have an outstanding marriage.

    Do you want to be born again? Today, Jesus Christ is knocking at the door of your heart. Say this prayer of faith: “Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I come to You today.  I am a sinner.  Forgive me of my sins and cleanse me with Your Blood.  Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God.  I accept You as my Lord and Saviour.  Make me a child of God today.  Thank You for accepting me into Your Kingdom.”

    If you prayed this simple prayer, you are now a child of God. He loves you and will never leave you. Read your Bible daily, obey God’s Word and seek Christian fellowship (John 14:21).

    Congratulations! You are now born again! All-round rest and peace are guaranteed you, in Jesus’ Name. Call or write, and share your testimonies with me through contact@faithoyedepo.org, and conselling@faithoyedepo.org; OR 07026385437 and 08141320204. For more insight, these books authored by me are available at the Dominion Bookstores in all Living Faith Churches and other leading Christian bookstores: Marriage Covenant, Making Marriage Work, Building A Successful Home and Success in Marriage (co-authored).