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Tag: Foundation

  • Foundation lifts pregnant women, others in Ogun community

    A non-governmental organisation, Elaina Foundation, has brought relief to pregnant women and sick persons in 23 communities within Ketu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ogun State. The foundation renovated and donated medical equipment to Ohunbe Primary Health Centre in the LCDA.

    Among items donated were generator, deep freezer, ceiling fans, baby cots and a borehole. The foundation renovated the PHC’s toilet, doors and windows, among others.

    Its founder, Henry Moses, said the gesture was to support the goal five of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) that calls for healthy lives and promoting well-being for everyone at all ages.

    Moses said prior to the renovation, pregnant women in Ohunbe and 22 other communities either gave birth in the neighbouring country, the Republic of Benin, or patronised traditional birth attendants due to the poor state of the centre.

    He added that the foundation’s total support of the SDG to end preventable deaths of new-born and children below the age of five, led to the gesture.

    “This gesture is geared towards reducing maternal mortality to at least 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.

    Read Also: Foundation empowers 200 youths

    He quoted the 2016 United Nations International Children Fund’s report which says that an estimate of 2,600 children died within the first 24 hours every day of the year in the country, while 2.6 million children died before the end of their first month, noting that more than 80 per cent of these children died from preventable and treatable causes including premature birth, complications during delivery and infections like sepsis and pneumonia.

    He said the NGO is also committed to helping the poor and less privileged have access to quality education at all levels of education, among other initiatives.

    “This is not the first time we are doing things like this; we have built classrooms in schools and have about 60 students under our scholarship programme in those schools. We go to communise for intervention project, we provide water for them because we know that those people need to be provided with basic things of life that will make their life better in terms of hygiene,” he said.

    The Chairman of Ketu LCDA, Hon Moses Adegbite appreciated the effort of the foundation to the community.

    Adegbite said the foundation has done well by putting a new face to the centre.

    “They have done well in terms of what they have provided, the toilet that has not been working before, now works, they provided generator and deep freezer; only God can reward them”, he said.

    He urged pregnant women in the community and other communities to make good use of the centre for their antenatal and other health conditions.

    He described the centre as now a standard health facility, adding that there is nothing that cannot be done in the centre, as done in the neighborhouring country.

    One of the health officials at the PHC, Christiana Ogunrounbi, thanked the foundation for renovating the centre, narrating that the conditions of the centre were doleful before their intervention. She said countless numbers of bats used the roof of the PHC as their hide-out.

    Ogunrounbi also thanked the foundation for renovating and bringing new facilities to the centre, saying it will aid their works. “The health centre was not at the optimum state as it should be working, but right now, we have ceiling fans; sliding windows, better than the wooden windows we used to have; the borehole provided is now working, we now have a baby courts, the doors that used to be wooden are now iron doors”, she said.

     

  • GE Nigeria, foundation launch mobile library

    Pupils of Akowonjo Primary School, Egbeda, and their peers attending the African Church Primary School on the same premises now have a mobile library thanks to General Electric Nigeria and the United for Kids Foundation (UKF).

    The firm which collaborated with the Foundation for the’ Read to me’ project, provided funds for the van and houses the books as well as got its employees to volunteer to read books to the pupils.

    Speaking at the launch of the library, Communications & Public Affairs Officer, GE Africa, Patricia Obozuwa, said the firm keyed into the project because of its impact in improving the reading skills of disadvantaged children.

    She said GE had partnered with the Foundation for many years to set up conventional libraries in schools but was excited about the mobile library project because of its potential to reach more schools.

    She said the project was being funded under GE’s Kujenga project.

    “We have been working and supporting UKF for years and they do amazing work in going into schools and looking for pupils who need help.

    GE Kujenga focuses on empowering people by building valuable skills, equipping communities with new tools and technology and elevating innovative ideas that are helping solve Africa’s challenges.  Not many skills are as valuable for the child than the ability to read. This program fits naturally into the ’empower’ bucket of GE Kujenga” she said.

    Also speaking, Remi Erinle, Head of GE Volunteers Council, said the employees’ interaction with the children during reading sessions coordinated by UKF, went a long way to boost the pupils’ confidence and made them improve fast.

    “We volunteers come in periodically to help take the kids through the Read-To-Me programme curriculum. Aside from the fact that we are developing their literacy skills, it is fantastic that someone outside of the school is actually paying them attention.  We have observed that this time spent with the kids is of great value to them because the fact that people other than their parents and teachers have an interest in them really excites and motivates the kids to put in their all. Over the course of the years, we have noticed great improvements in the literacy levels of several kids, which has transcended to improved confidence and better assimilation and performance in all their other subjects.

    About 350 children are currently being covered with this initial launch of the Mobile Library in four schools, and this can expand to up to 1,800 children per annum.

  • Foundation celebrates Iftar with members

    it was an evening of love when Jandor Foundation hosted its volunteers and coordinators from the 57 local government and local council development areas to an Iftar (Breaking of fast).

    The event was held at the Ikeja Local Government Secretariat, Ikeja.

    Founder of the foundation, Alhaji Abdulazeez  Olajide Adediran said the gathering was in line with the teachings of the holy month to share with one another.

    “We are here to feast with our volunteers and coordinators from the 57 councils in the state.  This is one of the teachings of the Ramadan that from time to time, we bring people together and observed the Iftar with them. We sit; listen to the word of God from the Holy Quran. We admonish and teach ourselves what to do and not to do in the holy month,” he said.

    Adediran, who is also the founder of Core Television (TV), advised the youth to take advantage of their age to contribute to the nation building.

    He also refuted the rumour of his plans to vie for a political office.

    He noted that his philanthropy gesture is to lift the less privileged.

    He, however, promised to support any of his coordinators or volunteers who wish to vie for any political office.

  • Foundation starts operation

    The Bunmi and Ajibola Health Care Foundation has announced the commencement of its operation.

    Established in April, the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) said it’s focusing on the maintenance and improvement of the health of individuals living in various communities across the country.

    Chairman of the foundation, Ajibola Olulola said: “We were formerly known as Global Healthcare Home Services and we worked with various clients to provide quality home healthcare services. Following our rebranding to The Bunmi and Ajibola Healthcare Foundation, we have extended our commitment to providing high quality healthcare services to individuals and communities having health issues.

    “Our goal as a foundation is to provide medical access to indigent communities where children and elderly citizens have limited access to medical care.”

  • Foundation lauds MultiChoice’s fight against sickle cell

    The Chairman and founder, Sickle Cell Foundation, Nigeria, (SCFN), Prof. Olu Akinyanju, has commended MultiChoice, a leading pay-television provider in Nigeria, for using its broadcast platform and resources to create awareness about the sickle cell disorder. Speaking at the closing/certificate award ceremony of the 18th Genetic Counselling Training course on Sickle Cell Disorder at the National Sickle Cell Centre in Lagos, Prof. Akinyanju said MultiChoice’s determination to enrich lives has also impacted positively on the fight against the sickle cell disorder for over a decade.

    The two-week counselling course was aimed at raising awareness about and deepening understanding of the Sickle Cell Disorder (SCD) as well as pointing out ways SCD victims could lead normal lives. Akinyanju, while appealing to participants to use the knowledge they received from the course to support and manage the sickle cell disorder professionally, also appealed to corporate bodies to emulate the kind gesture of MultiChoice in supporting the fight against the disorder.

    In his remarks, John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria, who was represented by Caroline Oghuma, Executive Head; Corporate Affairs, MultiChoice Nigeria said MultiChoice Nigeria is an organization that promotes values and views its support for training courses as well as other contributions to the fight against SCD as part of its propagation of strong family values.

    “As an organization that promotes family values we cannot but contribute to the fight against Sickle Cell Disorder in Nigeria. MultiChoice Nigeria equally assisted the SCFN to generate funds for its activities through the placement of donation boxes in all its branches across the country, with collated funds sent to the SCFN account.”

     

  • Foundation sponsors eye treatment of 400 patients

    A Kano-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Giwa Getso Foundation, is to offer free eye treatment to 400 patients in eight local government areas of the state.

    The Chairman of the organisation, Alhaji Bala Mohammed-Getso made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano yesterday.

    He said the exercise which is in the spirit of Ramadan, would commence on Friday at Gwarzo and Karaye general hospitals.

    According to him, interested patients from Gwarzo, Kabo, Rimin Gado, Shanono and Bagwai Local Government Areas were expected to converge on Gwarzo General Hospital on Friday, and Saturday.

    He said patients wishing to attend the exercise from Karaye, Rogo, and Kiru Local Government Areas would be attended to at Karaye General Hospital on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.

    “The Foundation is hereby calling on all those with eye ailments from the above mentioned local government areas to attend the exercise on the stated dates,” he said.

     

  • Foundation tasks govt on aggressive Earth Day campaign

    The Senior Conservation Officer Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF)  Balikis Abidemi Balogun has advised government at all levels to take Earth Day campaign serious, calling all hands to be on desk in the drive to protect the earth.

    Balogun who spoke in Lagos during the commemoration of international Earth Day, said that the theme of this year is centered on plastic pollution as plastic materials are constituting lots of environmental pollution worldwide.

    According to her, plastic takes thousands of years to decompose, thereby causing menace to the ecosystem. Balogun described the role of government as a factor to enable and enforce policies that advocate the protection of environment, sensitization and awareness campaign on impact of environmental activities as well as environmental education.

    She advised that environmental studies should be incorporated in school curriculum to enable the younger generations get involved.

    She noted that the foundation being an environmental conservation organisation has different programmes and activities throughout the year, urging government and conservationists to adequately get involve and engage the young ones through school conservation clubs.

    This, she said, will instill and build environmentally conscious future leaders for the purpose of making themaware of safe environment.

    She said the youths can be engaged in different activities including tree planting, waste management among others.

    “We believe when we catch them young they would grow up to be responsible adults and change agents. Plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns globally, having become the point of recent global policy debates bordering on marine pollution and environmental sustainability”.

    She stressed that the chemical structure of most plastics renders them resistant to many natural processes of degradation and as a result they are slow to degrade.

    “Together, these two factors have led to a high level of plastic pollution in the environment. Plastic pollution has negative effect on land, waterways and oceans. Marine animals particularly Sea Turtles, are harmed either by entanglement in plastic objects or problems related to ingestion of plastic waste or through exposure to chemicals within plastics that interfere with their physiology.

    “From poisoning, to injuring marine life, the ubiquitous presence of plastics in our food, disrupting human hormones and causing major life-threatening diseases as well as early puberty, the exponential growth of plastics is threatening our planet’s survival, she said.

    “Humans are also affected by plastic pollution, in form of flooding, clogged gutters which then results into diseases,” she noted.

  • Foundation empowers widows

    The Lola Akande Foundation has empowered over 80 widows with cash , food stuff and sewing machines.

    At the empowerment programme held at the Chapel of Christ the Light, Agidingbi, Ikeja, the President and Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Lola Akande, said the foundation was founded due to her passion to see to the people’s wellbeing, especially women and the less-privileged.

    She said: “This trend became inevitable after the 1995 Beijing conference aimed at achieving greater equality and opportunity for women, which led to increased awareness and consciousness on the negative consequences of pushing women to the background instead of empowering them towards attainment of self-reliance to ultimately actualise their full potentials politically and economically.

    “This has contributed to enhancing the energy and vigour of our collective struggle to give succour to vulnerable women, with specific focus on the widows.

    “While the Lola Akande Foundation was registered as an NGO in 2014, the empowerment programme is a culmination of consistent philanthropic efforts. This explains why we are reaching out to 80 beneficiaries here today.”

    The programme, she said, dates back to 2007 ‘when series of intervention programmes were carried out in my constituency as a member of the Lagos State House of even without constituency allowance. Little wonder the foundation is able to put together such an impactful empowerment programme as this,” said added.

    The sewing machines, Mrs. Akande said, were donated by the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation

    She urged the beneficiaries to pursue their dreams with renewed strength without unnecessarily feeling disadvantaged.

    “In times of trials and travails, look unto God who according to Psalm 68 vs 5 is the “defender of the widows”.  I urge you to tap from the opportunities to engage in profitable ventures by putting to good use, the cash given you today,” she said.

    Three widows got N50,000 each , 80 got N20,000  each and another 20 got sewing machines.

    One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Risikat Alaya, who got a sewing machine and cash gift, said: “I’m the happiest woman on earth today, thank God for Lagos State government and Lola Akande Foundation.”

  • Foundation offers scholarships to Makoko kids

    Residents of Makoko Community, Lagos State, will not forget in a hurry the day a non-for-profit, Caregiva Foundation, came on a humanitarian mission there.

    No fewer than 500 persons, including women and children, benefited from donations by the group.

    Like children receiving their father back home after a long sojourn, they trooped out enmasse to receive the “ august” visitors. Some could not hide their surprise when they saw that the visitors were youngsters between 20 and 27.  What was even more interesting was how children and teens were calling the visitors “Daddy”, “Mummy”, as they held their hands.

    Tagged: “Visit to Makoko Community”, the event was organised by Caregiva Foundation. The initiative, the foundation said, was borne out of the “desire to give back to the society by providing love, care, and support for the less-privileged that are financially, mentally, and physically challenged”.

    The maiden event witnessed the feeding of over 300 children, the donation of rice, salt, vegetable oil, noodles, slippers, clothes, among others, to orphans and the needy. The foundation also ssssspledged to support five children in their education and 20 others for vocational training.

    Although they were familiar with such visits from well-spirited individuals and groups, the Baale of the Community, Chief Aide Albert Jeje, noted that the foundation’s team, who were youths, was truly inspiring. He urged the foundation to assist the community in alleviating its water problem in the community.

    “We are so happy to receive Caregiva Foundation here. It is impressive seeing that youngsters are the ones behind all the great gifts that are brought for us today. I am speechless and so grateful.

    “Most of the children living in this community don’t have access to good and basic education since there is no money to send them to school. Some of them are orphans. They hardly eat three square meals a day. And so we are praying that God will continue to bless the good work that these youngsters have started,” he prayed.

    Thirteen-year-old Olanike Adeniyi could not hide her joy, saying that the giveaways were coming at the appropriate time.

    “I am thankful for protecting us here in Makoko. I lost my mother when I was only nine months old and was abandoned by my father. I was raised by my grandmother, who feels that after my secondary education, I should either be married off or just learn a trade. I want to grow up to be an important person in the society one day. I wish to be part of those that will be assisted in furthering their education.”

    For seven-year-old Ezekiel Iroko, who is aspiring to be a medical doctor, the foundation’s gesture will serve as relief to his mother who has been the breadwinner ever since he lost his father at a tender age.

    Like the Baale, Aisha Ademola, a young widow and mother of one who was one of the beneficiaries, was also full of thanks to the group for the gifts, stating that the food items would go a long way to alleviate their hunger.

    For the President and founder of the Caregiva Foundation, Bunmi Banjo, the gesture was part of the foundation’s social responsibilities in reaching out to the less-privileged. She disclosed that the foundation will sponsor at least, five children on their education and 20 others for vocational training.

    The foundation, Bunmi said, is geared towards putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged and the orphans in the society by showing them love, care and support.

    “Makoko as the largest slum community in West Africa with over 200,000 inhabitants and thousands of children living here need help. We sincerely hope that other members of the society, who are well to do will support a cause like this and come here to show the children love,” she admonished.

    The programme was supported by Chemart Pharmacy, Metropolitan Motors, Taos Beauty Brand, Tricontinental Oil Service and Mrs Bakers Bakery.

    The community leader, who received the foundation team, Chief Benjamin Aide , commended the spirit behind the donation, saying that the gesture would go a long way in bringing smiles to the needy.

    Aide said: “It is at times like this that you know those who are passionate about meeting the needs of the less privileged and the needy. What the foundation has done today shows that their efforts were based on passion and commitment to the plight of the downtrodden. We can only commend them and urge them to continue to identify with this community and other vulnerable places at large.”

     

  • Foundation rates conservation awareness low

    The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has described the level of awareness on natural resource conservation among Nigerians as very low.

    Its Programme Lead, Green Recovery Nigeria and Forest Programme, Mr. Adedayo Mahmud has, therefore, urged wildlife stakeholders to embark on grassroots advocacy to raise the level of awareness in nature conservation work.

    Mahmud who spoke with reporters  during the  commemoration of this year’s  International World Wildlife Day in Lagos, noted that most people were yet see cogent reasons for nature conservation which he attributed to  lack of proper knowledge and understanding.

    Mahmud stated that the Day is an advocacy opportunity for engaging local people and relevant stakeholders to support wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.

    He identified the Endangered Species Act, National Biodiversity Strategic Action Plan, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species as relevant laws governing wildlife conservation in the country.

    According to him, Nigeria is a signatory to many international treaties for wildlife conservation, such as the Convention on Biodiversity. He pointed out that one of the major challenges of wildlife is that most of the laws are obsolete and weak, stressing that the capacity for enforcement is weak as there is also lack of political will on the part of government.

    He tasked relevant institutions to ensure that wildlife resources are properly conserved so as to function effectively.

    He stated that the country has seven National Parks and numerous Game Reserves, such as Yankari Game Reserve, saying the government has the capacity to do more than it is doing.

    He said: “But the truth is nature conservation is big business and hugely capital-intensive venture. Therefore, government cannot do it alone and needs to encourage the private sectors to participate. We need public private partnership and collaborations to be able to effectively manage our national parks and the game reserves in the country as is being done in East and Central Africa.

    “It will be a shame and a great loss to humanity if Pangolins are allowed to go into extinction due to ignorance, greed among other issues. Pangolins are an integral component of the ecosystem, food chain and web of life where they play vital roles in evolution and ecological well-being of the planet earth. The delicate biological equilibrium will be distorted with grave consequences for human kind should Pangolins go extinct”.

    According to him, “Nigeria still has forest guards. The number of forest guards is grossly inadequate to effectively police our forest estates and the resources therein. We should also be talking about the effectiveness of the forest guards in terms of how well they are equipped to function as they should. The truth is that our forest guards are ill-equipped to deliver on the job mandates. They are also not well motivated as many of them don’t receive patrol and hazards allowances that they are statutorily entitled to. All of these rub off on their productivity. There are lots of risks and hazards associated with the job of a forest guard.”

    He advised the government and policy makers to ensure there were adequate pronouncements in support of wildlife conservation efforts.

    “Nigeria has never and is yet to take full advantage of the potentials of tourism resources as it should have done to enhance income generation abilities, potentials and opportunities that abound in the sector. Tourism can best be described as evolving. Government has established a coordinating Ministry and the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation to coordinate tourism resources development. Government needs to invest more to develop the sector and encourage public private partnership as well as corporate sponsorship to develop the sector.

    “The advocacy on pangolin is to raise awareness and inspire positive action in aid of pangolin conservation wherever they still remain in the wild.

    “The World Conservation Union (International Union for Conservation of Nature) has developed a Red List of Threatened Species) to guide global conservation efforts. It is difficult to rate one animal over another on the list. We should step up our efforts to prevent further extinctions of species. There are structured already in place but there is no synergy cooperation to effectively address national cause,” he said.