The Nation Newspaper

Tag: needy

  • Philanthropist seeks support for the needy

    Philanthropist seeks support for the needy

    The proprietor of Lotto Lottery, Chief Kessington Adebutu, has urged private and public organisations to invest in human capital for the growth of the country.

    At a conference held at his premier Lotto Office in Surulere, Lagos, to mark his 79th birthday, he said the Kessington Adebukun Adubutu Foundation (KAAF) was established to uplift human capacity in the country.

    He said: “The less-privileged in the society need education, good health and convenient environment devoid of disease to grow. It is when such conditions are available that they can add values to their own lives and the country in general. KAAF is poised to serve humanity with passion as an instrument of change for a better social order and elevation of human dignity.”

    He maintained that 80 per cent of the corporate responsibilities at KAAF are focused on enhancing the quality of life of the ordinary people.

  • Succour for the needy in Imo

    Succour for the needy in Imo

    Reprieve came the way of indigent widows of police officers who lost their lives in active service and other less-privileged people in Imo State when the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), gave out items worth millions of naira to them.

    The gifts were household items like electricity generating sets, clothes and other materials, a gesture which aimed at improving the well-being of the widows.

    The widows, 14 of them, received one generator and bundles of wrapper each.

    Speaking at the event which held at the Police Officers’ Mess,  the Chairperson of the Imo State chapter of POWA, Hajia Idiat Ali, who was represented by Dr. Fatima Kura, said POWA is committed to improving the welfare of indigent women and other vulnerable people in the society through its various welfare strategies and packages.

    She said: “But for paucity of fund, POWA has the passion to touch more lives through its empowerment programme.”

    According to her, the beneficiaries were randomly selected from all the zones across the state with emphasis on the families of dead police officers.

    Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Abdulmajid Ali, represented by Rotimi  Adelesi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), commended the association for remembering the indigent widows and other vulnerable members of the society.

    He said such gesture will go a long way in reducing their suffering and give them a sense of belonging.

    Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Bridget Mgbemena, expressed their gratitude to the association for alleviating the plight of the widows and other indigent people, adding that the singular act of care has consoled them that they were still part of the police family.

    She said: “Since I lost my husband five years ago, I felt I have been forgotten but today, I feel once more like the wife of a police officer. The gesture will certainly go a long way in keeping us together as one happy family.”

    She, however, appealed to the Federal Government and the Police Service Commission to assist POWA in its responsibility of caring for the less-privileged people, adding that if properly funded, the association, which she said she was proud to belong, will adequately address the challenges of poverty and illiteracy confronting the people, especially within the Nigeria Police Force.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Vero Okorie, who broke down in tears as she recounted how her husband was shot down by armed robbers two years ago, thanked POWA for the intervention, stating that she is convinced that her husband’s death was not in vain.

    “I am glad to know that we are still remembered two years after my husband was killed. I thank the leadership of POWA for what they have done. It is not all about the items but the care they have shown us. We are all grateful.”

    The beneficiaries were Mrs. Ngozi  Omenazu, Deborah Emmanuel, Comfort Ojobe, Uzoma Bridget, Mary Otu, Ngozi Malaky, Eze Blessing, La Kemi and Ngozi Onurah.

    Others were Mgbemena Bridget, Blessing Augustine, Vero Okorie and Ngozi Ejimofor.

  • Succour for the needy in Anambra

    Succour for the needy in Anambra

    Most of them are aged and weak, others poor and lonely. An organisation, Amazing Grace Foundation, has lifted them out of their despair.

    The beneficiaries hail from various communities in Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. Their benefactor is Mrs Ifeyinwa Obegolu, a lawyer and founder of Amazing Grace.

    What did she give to the needy women? They got bags of rice, beans, tomatoes, clothing and toiletries, among others.

    What inspired her? Obegolu told the Nation that she felt obliged to reach out to the old women and widows because they are often long neglected and abandoned.

    Most of the women are aged over 70 years, others widows.

    The communities whose indigent ones shared the foundation’s goodies are Obeledu, Adazi-Ani and Adazi Nnukwu, among others.

    The foundation which began in 2012 has reached out to people in Oyo, Abuja, Osun, Anambra; it has branches in 18 local government areas in the country.

    The foundation also takes care of victims of family violence and the physically challenged, and is funded by embassies, individuals and corporate organisations.

    Also, the foundation has 1,850 persons in the communities in Anambra but according to its founder, those people could not be accommodated in the first phase of the outreach; only 250 old people have been reached this time, while the second phase will take off come anytime soon.

    Ninety-three-year-old Maryann Obiachusi told the Nation that it was the first time she was benefitting from such gesture.

    The foundation also has a committee in each of the communities, that determines those who need help.

    Obegolu said she studied how to take care of the aged in the United States of America, adding that in Nigeria, old people are not taken care of the way it happens overseas.

    The aged, widows and the less privileged who gathered at Obeledu to receive some of the items were prayed for by the parish priest of Saint Paul’s Catholic Church in the area, Fr. Ephraim Udoye and Anthony Mbonu.

    Not only that the people were given items including foods, the Nigeria Bar Association in Anaocha Local Government Area, led by Mr Chris Adimora, a lawyer, pledged to render free legal service to them.

    The NBA branch also gave financial assistance to the people to compliment the efforts of the foundation.

    Again, the chairman of the local government Area, Ikeobi Ejiofor, told the people that the Council Area under his leadership provides walking aids for the Amazing Grace Foundation.

    He also said that the council will equally give support to the foundation, adding that Obegolu had been known for doing such a thing for a long time, not only in the area but throughout the country.

    Mrs. Rebecca Onwuegbusi, a  71-year-old bed-ridden woman, prayed  that only God will reward the founder of the foundation.

    For 88-year-old Regina Onyeme, who sat on the chair dancing and praising God for the gesture, told the Nation that the foundation has brought peace in their communities.

    Some of the beneficiaries have one ailment or the other, and some  were ferried to the ground where the gifts were shared by their relatives.

    Seventy-eight-year-old Jude Amaduche, who found it difficult to speak because of the joy, said that he would talk another day on the issue.

    They celebrated not only with the items by the foundation, they were equally hosted by Rev. Sister Marian Patrick Nwankwo with a gigantic cake.

    Speaking with the Nation Mrs. Obegolu said that when the initiative came to her, she took it to the then President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who refused to listen to her.

    Instead, she was chased out of the government House by the military men, this according to her, made her to take the battle to God.

    The work of the foundation Obegolu said had been speaking for itself since it began two years ago while it took off in Anambra  in 2013.

    She said that the foundation takes care of women being maltreated by hoodlums, while it has call centres all over the place for contacts.

    According to her, “I began this outreach because Nigeria has not done anything for the old people or taken care of them but abroad, the government will put them in a home and be caring for them and this exactly what to do in Nigeria” Obegolu said.

    The foundation, the Nation gathered has six medical Doctors that take care of the old persons in Abuja and the same thing has been planned for the ones in Anambra and other states.

    “It is founded in convenant with God and man which means anybody who short changes the sick, the aged, widows and the needy must surely get his or her repercussion”.

    The foundation, she said preaches forgiveness, adding that every medical treatment for the people are free including the dispensation of drugs.

  • Rotary donates free medical aid to needy

    Rotary donates free medical aid to needy

    Smile came the way of many residents of Ajah, a Lagos suburb, when Rotary Club of the Victoria Garden City (VGC) donated medical materials to the Ajah Primary Health Centre and Sangotedo Primary Health Centre at the weekend.

    The VGC Rotary President, Mrs. Victoria Kuteyi-Ogundemuren said the gesture is to assist the needy who cannot afford the rising medical bill in hospitals.

    Presenting the material to the jubilant residents, who came to witness the donation at Ajah Primary Healthcare Centre, the Rotary president said gesture would complement the efforts of the Lagos State Government.

    Kuteyi-Ogundemuren explained that Rotary International is an organization that is concerned about the wellbeing of the people. “In Rotary we have about three major areas of focus which include maternal and child welfare. I want to say it has become our burden to assist in our own little ways.”

    She added that the VGC Rotary Club took cognizance of what government is doing and urged other non-governmental organizations to support the noble efforts.

    She said: “That is why we are not just donating drugs only but medical equipment for these communities. Rotary is a community based club.

    “We are giving out gloves to help prevent the coming in contact with diseases, we are donating mosquito nets, we are providing blood tonic for pregnant women, malaria tablets, cough syrups and other basic health need for children,” she added.

    She noted that the club had enlightened the people not to pay for the drugs. According to her, the health management staff has assured that the drugs will reach the people free of charge.

    “The people are not to pay for it and should be supplied free to them. Rotary is a non-governmental organization and it is rendering services to the public free of charge. We are equally educating the beneficiaries that the drug they are getting is free.

    “We just left Ajah Primary Health Care Centre we made the people to know that what we are giving them is free. The people who administer the drugs are professionals they will not tamper with the original plans. We have a list of what we give to them, where they have similar things ours should be given to them for free. I am a nurse myself and I believe that my colleagues are very responsible and professionals, they will utilse what we donate judiciously to the benefit of the people of the community.

    “Some people thought we are here to sell drug but we told them that the drugs are for free and also we let them know that the drug should be strictly applied to those who need it. When the people are healthy the community will make progress, because health is wealth.

    “Every year we donate drugs to the health centers. I must say that government is really trying I think this is one of the main achievement of the Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s administration. On can see that since them the government is on top of the medical practice in Lagos State, I want to encourage them to keep doing what they are doing. We can see that the environment is clean the sanitation level is on the high side. The information about health is reaching the people, government hospitals are now being improved, there is less need for people to go to private hospitals. I will advise the people to always seek medical attention instead of going to quacks at the risk of their lives. Some people take drugs that they don’t know the level of the medicinal properties. The campaign that people should not take unwanted drug is winning and gaining momentum. What we have spent so far on the drugs we donated is almost N1 million at the two health centers.” She said.

    Responding on the behalf of the Eti Osa East Local Council Development Area, the Apex Chief Officer, Mrs Olubunmi Yusuf said the gesture came at a time the people are facing challenges on the rising medical bills in hospital.

    She said: “I want to say that what Rotary has done, is like they really want to embarrass us with their donation. By this, they have shown they are concerned about the welfare of the people.

    “The drugs and other medical facilities they donated will be separated from our own supplies. This will ensure that things are not mixed up; we will ensure they get to the beneficiaries for free.

    “We have patients here that cannot afford their drugs, so what the club donates will take care of most people in this category. Some people cannot even afford drugs at reduced prices,” Yusuf said.

  • Foundation remembers the needy

    Every year, the needy, including children and youths, benefit from the benevolence of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

    That was why thousands gathered at Irefi Civic Centre, Oraifite, Ekwusigo council Area of Anmabra State.

    The women were already seated at the venue of the event as early as 8 am, waiting for the distribution of gifts including cash, bags of rice and vehicles by the foundation as part of its annual Christmas and New Year bonanza to the women and other less-privileged persons in the society.

    The chairman of the occasion, Chief Azuka Okwuosa said this year’s gift distribution was unique in the sense that the beneficiaries cut across other neigbouring communities unlike the previous years when the foundation concentrated on Oraifite.

    He commended the founder of the Foundation, Sir Emeka Okwuosa for his love for the people of the community and entire thes society, adding that since the birth of the foundation, many people have benefited from it either by way of sponsorship or scholarship to indigent students.

    Chief Okwuosa further disclosed that the foundation has also been at the vanguard towards uniting all Oraifite sons and daughters in all works of life, noting that this year’s ceremony was to help the women to be able to take care of their families.

    He said that the Foundation as part of its mission statements had adopted a strong will to help the youths in the society in order to make them better people in the society, adding that the youths as the engine room of the society need to be supported.

    “The Foundation was conceived by my brother many years ago and it was initiated to address the problem of the society. We award scholarship to indigent students and brilliant ones because we encourage excellence and brilliance. The Foundation also believes in the saying that it is better to teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. We are building a cortege industry in this community for the procession gari. This Foundation also has engaged in road construction across the community and today, we are giving out a brand new vehicle to the women corporative to help them transport their goods to the market”

    Earlier, Rev Canon Chamberlin Igwenazo prayed for Okwuosa family for rendering help to the society and less privilege which he said had been major interest the church had on wealthy people in the society to use their wealth to help others.

    Rev Igwenazo challenged other rich men in the society to emulate the Okwuosa family in helping the less privilege persons which he said would help to eliminate crime in the society by engaging the youths in meaningful business.

    The Chairman of Ekwusigo council area, Mr. John Elomba, represented by Obinna Nwachukwu commended the Emeka Okwuosa Foundation and the entire Okwuosa family for initiating the projects which is targeted at lifting the women and less privilege persons in the society.

    He described Okwuosa family as strong pillar in the entire Oraifite community that had rendered help to others without any feelings attached and said that the council shall continue to support any individual that has soft heart to help others especially during the yuletide seasons.

    In his address, the Coordinator of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Dr. John Anene said Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation as a registered non-profit making and nongovernmental organization formed by Okwuosa to help render services to the society.

    He said that the Foundation last year distributed gift items worth millions of naira to married women from the community, adding that this year; the situation still remains the same in the sense that some other communities are beneficiaries of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

    “Last year, we were here and all married women from our community went home each with full bags of rice. It is still so this year. Thereafter, workers of the Foundation went to other communities and various public establishments in Oraifite, Ozubulu and Nnewi”

    “All Irefi married women will benefit from this year’s Christmas gift distribution. The idea is linked to the philosophy that if you feed a woman, you feed not only herself but entire household. With the mindset of the proprietor which is geared towards ameliorating the lots of the rural community, providing infrastructural development and general wellbeing of the people” he said.

    The President General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Dr. Jap Okolo said the aim of the Foundation to radiate joy in the minds of the less privilege in the society is commendable and enjoined other wealthy men in the community to emulate the Okwuosa family in rendering help to the less privilege.

    He said that for the community to grow, all hands must be on deck in the sense that everybody must get involved in the entire work of rebuilding the community and making it economically viable for the rural dwellers to make living.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Dr. Okolo further reiterated the readiness of the Oraifite Improvement Union to support any genuine philanthropist that has the interest of the community at heart and maintained that the Foundation through its outreach shall be encouraged to do better than it had done in the past.

    The Coordinator, Sir Emeka Offor Foundation, Dr. Tony Obi also commended the Foundation for being at the forefront for the project of ameliorating the suffering of the people in the society especially the women and the less privilege and urged others to emulate the Founder, Sir Okwuosa.

    He advised the people of the community to be up and doing by always thinking of what to do for the community and not what the community will do for them in order to move the community forward and render help to those in need.

    But to discover if their claims were cosmetic, Okija people confirmed their claims as the Regent to the Obi of Umuaku na Uruezike, Chief Frank Unigwe said ,’’ I am delighted that somebody like Okwuosa is remembering us this way. There are people who have so much money more than him but could not assist others. But with this good gesture more families will be happy during the Christmas and in the new year. I am asking God to give him and his family member’s good health to continue to assist the poor rural folks. In the past he has taken care of people with health challenges and given jobs to unemployed graduates. This is the kind of money we want not money for causing confusion and trouble’’.

    On his part, Obi C.N Nsofor , the Obi of Nkalafia Irefi ,’’ This gesture entered every family in Irefi because everybody in Irefi went home with some goodies. I am thankful to God that he is doing operation feed the Nation in Irefi Oraifite. Last year Sir Emeka Okwuosa distributed up to 6 trailers of goodies to our people. We are praying God to keep him alive to enable him fulfill his dream for our people.

    Nsofor informed that Sir Emeka Okwuosa foundation has another Non Governmental Organization Ocean Anado which means Oraifite Citizens in Europe and America which he uses to sponsor free medical treatment for the aged and poor people. He said he has tarred 2 roads in Oraifite and has opened many skill acquisition centers for rural women among other empowerment.

    A woman Evangelist Grace Mgbakaogu from Irefi Nkalafia buttressed that the villages including Umuezechem Iruozala , Umudalagwam , Iruezike and Umuagba were al beneficiaries of Sir Okwuosa largess as God has been using him to turn around the poor families of the community. She informed that his parents were poor and they were not surprised that he rose to the pinnacle of riches and remembers his people too.

    And the last person to speak about Sir Okwuosa, Mrs Ogechukwu Udaegbe from Nkalafia, ‘’Sir Emeka Okwuosa should be blessed for feeding the widows  in and around Oraifite and invoked God’s multiple blessings upon his family.

  • Foundation relieves the needy

    Foundation relieves the needy

    Every year, the needy, including children and youths, benefit from the benevolence of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

    That was why thousands gathered at Irefi Civic Centre, Oraifite, Ekwusigo council Area of Anmabra State.

    The women were already seated at the venue of the event as early as 8 am, waiting for the distribution of gifts including cash, bags of rice and vehicles by the foundation as part of its annual Christmas and New Year bonanza to the women and other less-privileged persons in the society.

    The chairman of the occasion, Chief Azuka Okwuosa said this year’s gift distribution was unique in the sense that the beneficiaries cut across other neigbouring communities unlike the previous years when the foundation concentrated on Oraifite.

    He commended the founder of the Foundation, Sir Emeka Okwuosa for his love for the people of the community and entire thes society, adding that since the birth of the foundation, many people have benefited from it either by way of sponsorship or scholarship to indigent students.

    Chief Okwuosa further disclosed that the foundation has also been at the vanguard towards uniting all Oraifite sons and daughters in all works of life, noting that this year’s ceremony was to help the women to be able to take care of their families.

    He said that the Foundation as part of its mission statements had adopted a strong will to help the youths in the society in order to make them better people in the society, adding that the youths as the engine room of the society need to be supported.

    “The Foundation was conceived by my brother many years ago and it was initiated to address the problem of the society. We award scholarship to indigent students and brilliant ones because we encourage excellence and brilliance. The Foundation also believes in the saying that it is better to teach people how to fish instead of giving them fish. We are building a cortege industry in this community for the procession gari. This Foundation also has engaged in road construction across the community and today, we are giving out a brand new vehicle to the women corporative to help them transport their goods to the market”

    Earlier, Rev Canon Chamberlin Igwenazo prayed for Okwuosa family for rendering help to the society and less privilege which he said had been major interest the church had on wealthy people in the society to use their wealth to help others.

    Rev Igwenazo challenged other rich men in the society to emulate the Okwuosa family in helping the less privilege persons which he said would help to eliminate crime in the society by engaging the youths in meaningful business.

    The Chairman of Ekwusigo council area, Mr. John Elomba, represented by Obinna Nwachukwu commended the Emeka Okwuosa Foundation and the entire Okwuosa family for initiating the projects which is targeted at lifting the women and less privilege persons in the society.

    He described Okwuosa family as strong pillar in the entire Oraifite community that had rendered help to others without any feelings attached and said that the council shall continue to support any individual that has soft heart to help others especially during the yuletide seasons.

    In his address, the Coordinator of Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, Dr. John Anene said Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation as a registered non-profit making and nongovernmental organization formed by Okwuosa to help render services to the society.

    He said that the Foundation last year distributed gift items worth millions of naira to married women from the community, adding that this year; the situation still remains the same in the sense that some other communities are beneficiaries of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.

    “Last year, we were here and all married women from our community went home each with full bags of rice. It is still so this year. Thereafter, workers of the Foundation went to other communities and various public establishments in Oraifite, Ozubulu and Nnewi”

    “All Irefi married women will benefit from this year’s Christmas gift distribution. The idea is linked to the philosophy that if you feed a woman, you feed not only herself but entire household. With the mindset of the proprietor which is geared towards ameliorating the lots of the rural community, providing infrastructural development and general wellbeing of the people” he said.

    The President General of Oraifite Improvement Union, Dr. Jap Okolo said the aim of the Foundation to radiate joy in the minds of the less privilege in the society is commendable and enjoined other wealthy men in the community to emulate the Okwuosa family in rendering help to the less privilege.

    He said that for the community to grow, all hands must be on deck in the sense that everybody must get involved in the entire work of rebuilding the community and making it economically viable for the rural dwellers to make living.

  • Memorable Yuletide for the needy in Imo

    Memorable Yuletide for the needy in Imo

    It was one of the largest gatherings of physically challenged and indigent persons in Imo state. The creaking sound of hundreds of wheel chairs added to the colour and rarity of the large crowd that converged at the Heroes’ Square, venue of this year’s Imo Day of Thanksgiving.

    The ceremony which has become an annual event, is a day set aside to show love, care and give hope to the needy and those living with disabilities in the state. It is a day that the walls of discrimination between the poor and rich, the healthy and the sick, the physically challenged and the physically fit is temporary lifted.

    It is a day that the ‘special citizens’ as the physically challenged people are addressed in the state, look forward to each year. It is a day they are showered with gifts, ranging from cash, cars, clothing, food items and other varieties of gifts.

    This year’s edition of the event had an unprecedented turnout as 15 disabled people were selected from each of the 637 communities across the state and each of them got variety of gifts and cash.

    The aphorism that there is ability in disability came to play on the day as the people with all forms of deformities, overcame their challenges and limitations and performed feats that were otherwise unimaginable. Some of them proved they could dance and perform acrobatic feats as much as those that are physically fit.

    They had the opportunity to showcase their talents as they freely danced, singed and demonstrated their skills in sporting activities.

    The state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who initiated the programme at the inception of his administration, explained that the gesture is aimed at alleviating the sufferings of the poor and the less-privileged in the society and also to show love and care to them during the Christmas season.

    He stated further that the Imo Day of Thanksgiving, apart from been a to reach out to the poor and disabled people,  is also a day set aside to appreciate God for his benevolence to the state.

    According to him, it is an opportunity for indigenes of the state who are blessed with riches to give back to society, adding that several lives have been saved since its inception.

    The day will forever remain memorable for Mr. Chibuzo Amako from Ngor Okpala and Mr. Olisa O­bi from Osuobodo in Oguta Council Area of the state as they both won a Land-rover Jeep and Mercedes Benz V-boot cars plus N100,000 cash gift as they emerged winners of the lottery organized by the Governor.

    Other nine thousand disabled people who attended the event also got a bag of rice, tomatoes, wrappers and lots of other gift items.

    Speaking shortly after presenting the gifts, Okorocha revealed that during Imo Day of Thanksgiving, the Rescue Mission administration financially assisted some poor people’s medical bills, which one of the beneficiaries, who had chronic kidney problem was sent to abroad for treatment.

    He also announced the donation of his annual salary and allowances to the less privileged in the state and the initiation of Special Women Empowerment for indigent women from 2014.

    Okorocha urged the people to imbibe the spirit of sharing with the poor as Christ did when he was on earth which is the essence of Christmas.  In his words, “life is not fulfilled unless one gives a helping hand to those in need”.  If Christ embraced us despite of our filthiness, we can do so to others so that the poor can smile and join hands to make the nation a better place for all of us.

    Responding, two of the beneficiaries, Miss Mercy Ndukuba who got a pair of clutches and Master Emeziem Mbah who got a wheelchair, thanked God for using governor Okorocha to alleviate their sufferings and prayed for more wisdom and divine guidance in his administration.

  • A lift for the needy in Port Harcourt

    The cloud of gloom has lifted for various less privileged persons in Rivers State. Three orphanages got money to keep their charges in good shape. Widows got cash and clothes. People with limb disability had wheelchairs, some crutches. The ailing ones were tested and treated, while others were referred to hospital for further examination and treatment.

    Their benefactor was Mrs. Nice Aleruchi Alamieyesiegha, a philanthropist. The event took place at the Rivers State College of Arts and Science, Rumuola, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    Mrs. Alamieyesiegha, who is also a community leader, wanted to help orphans by providing money for the upgrade of their home and also send some of the inmates back to school. She presented N1m to three orphanages.

    Perhaps, the most enduring aspect of Alamieyesiegha’s gesture was giving the needy a sense of belonging. An ex-beauty queen, she mixed freely with the beneficiaries, providing love and inspiration as they ate and drank with her. It was indeed her 32nd birthday but she chose to mark it memorably, giving hope to those who sometimes feel abandoned by the society.

    Some of the less privileged told Newsextra that it was their day of joy marked by great fun. Each of them prayed for their benefactor and her family.

    The president of a section of the Association of Physically challenged persons, Mr. Moses J. Ifeanyichukwu said: “The event is wonderful; it was a happy moment. I thank God for the occasion and for the celebrant, who considered it worthwhile to invite people like us to this kind of occasion.

    “She has given us many things and every one of us is happy. I am one of the recipients of her gift items today. This wheelchair I am sitting on is one of the ones she gave out today and I am happy. A wheelchair is one of the things I have ever desired to have but I have not been able till today.

    “I am not the only one that received this gift; some others did also, while several others received crutches. God will continue to bless her, grant her more favour, success and in all her endeavours.

    Usman Ibrahim said: “I am happy for what the madam has done for us today, bringing us here to celebrate with her and also give us things like crutches, cloth, wheelchairs, food, drink and money. God bless her.”

    Mrs. Julie John, a widow, said: “I’m very grateful today. Since I became a widow about 20 years ago (I was only 32 years when I lost my husband) I have not experienced this kind of event.

    “Nice is her name and she is indeed nice. I and the mother are of the same family, I have known Nice to be a nice person. She cares and provides for the widows in my place, the orphans and many other persons I cannot mention here now. My prayer for her is that God will crown all her efforts with great success in Jesus name, Amen.

    The mother, Lady Amadiwochi expressed her feelings in tears, “tears of joy,” she said.

    “I have been shedding tears since I came to this event and saw the crowd of widows, orphaned children, among them were grownup ones. I also saw the physically challenged persons, the cripple and others; I could not help breaking down in tears. It was actually tears of joy for everything happening in my daughter’s birthday celebration.

    “This is because my daughter has done what her mates cannot do. Nice is a wonderful child; each time I look at her, I keep glorifying God for giving her to me, a beloved and caring child.

    “She is passionate, kind; she does not like seeing people shed tears over what she can afford. Most times, she gives out to her inconvenience, just to ensure the person does not cry anymo

    “I know almsgiving runs in our family. I am a civil servant (primary school teacher), but I also have an NGO I run, (DOCAS) which takes care of widows in my community.”

    Also, the Nollywood Twins Chidinma Aneke and Chidiebere who came to add colour to the event lacked words to express what they saw. They called for support to the fledgling NGO the celebrant has floated, Nice-Esther Alamieyesiegha Initiative to carry out her charity outreach.

    They called on the privileged members of the society to learn to give to the poor and the downtrodden to attract more blessings from God.

    ”We have our own NGO (Aneke Twin Foundation), which we run also, so when we talk on this, I’m coming from a perspective of somebody that knows and understands what it takes to put up a programme like this.

    “Honestly, we lack words to express what we have seen today. It is not easy for somebody to put together a programme to reach out to the indigent ones. We are overwhelmed and we pray that God should bless, increase and protect her.

    Chidinma remarked: “One thing I noticed about her kind of giving is that she gives cheerfully from her heart.  You could visibly notice the passion to give on her face; some other person may venture into it because they admire someone that does it; they may actually be seen giving but when you watch closely, you will notice that he or she was not actually doing it from the heart. The reason is simple, the person is not naturally a giver.

    “But for Chief Mrs. Alamieyeseigha, I could notice the joy, cheerfulness, zeal and yet deep desire to give more, on her face. I watched her as the event and distribution lasted; I read them all.

    “I wish to use this opportunity to call on good-spirited Nigerians, and the international organisations of goodwill to reach out to her for partnership; the way she is going, if she gets sponsors, she will go places.”

    his homily at the thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral in Port Harcourt earlier, Rev. Fr. Bartholomew Uzoma praised the philanthropist for her choice of celebrating with the hardly-remembered of the society, with a view of putting a smile on their faces.

    Fr. Uzoma said the gesture has fulfilled the scripture in Luke which states: “Jesus said, when I was naked you clothed me, thirsty you gave me water to drink, in prison you visited me…” He said Mrs. Alamieyeseigha has by this action demonstrated love, kindness and care for the orphans and less privileged in the society and prayed for God’s continued protection for her and her family.

    He advised corporate organisations and people of goodwill to emulate Alamieyeseiegha by extending their hands of fellowship, love, kindness and care to the needy in the society, especially the widows and orphans.

    On the donations to the orphanages, Alamieyesiegha said: “I learnt they have very serious and urgent need that has to do with their residence, I invited some friends here with the view of seeing how we could raise some funds for them to address the need promptly and I am happy they responded and we were able to raise the sum of N1million, which we later distributed among the three orphanages present.

    “The children from Ajibola Orphanage Foundation were also here, and needed some fund for their school needs, including their school fees.

    “Apart from the funds for the children, we also donated some food items, (bags of rice, cartons of Indomie noodles, beverages, toiletries, among other things.

    “On the widows, we’ve always given them pieces of cloth. As widows, some of them may not always have enough to take care of their family and also change the clothes as often as they want or wish but with this routine intervention, at least they will have something to change with.

    “So in that respect, they were given wrappers, there was also a medical team that was providing free medical tests, on blood sugar and High blood pressure for all participants.

  • All for the needy

    All for the needy

    The sixth annual convention of the Ambassadors of Christ International Ministries was not just a gathering of pious men and women; it was an avenue to touch lives. The programme did not only cater for the spiritual needs of the people but also their material needs.

    The theme of the convention was “Open Heaven 2013” and, indeed, for many, the heavens literally opened. The church took the convention beyond the walls of the auditorium. It held a one-day free medical care for members and others. The convention began with a night of music and drama, put together by the youth of the church. It featured dramas and several sessions of praise and worship.

    The night ended with the edifying words from the General Overseer, Pastor Akinola Ajayi, who challenged the youth to rise and take their rightful place in the society, and be a success.

    Moving on to the next phase, the church organised a one-day free medical care session. Consultancy to test, drug prescription and drug dispensation were offered. Qualified doctors and pharmacists attended to the endless flow of patients.

    In attendance was also the Vice-Chairman of Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area, Mrs Opeyemi Akindele. She praised the effort of the church saying it is a good example for other religious groups to emulate. According to her, doing this will reduce the burden of the government and save lives.

    The grand finale was held on Sunday. All was set for the ceremony that took the planning committee one year of preparation.

    With no regard for the proverbial African time, the service started on time with guests arriving shortly before the service commenced.

    The guest speaker, Bishop Olabisi Bankole of the Triumphant Word Christian Global Ministry also arrived on time. When it was time for the word, Bishop Olabisi delivered his message in a blend of humour and stories. He narrated his life ordeal, how he rose from grass to grace.

    He said: “When the heaven of a man is opened, he does not labour, he begins to enjoy favour. For me when I was growing up, poverty was a friend, but when my heavens opened, I ceased to struggle.”

    This edifying message lifted so many spirits; it moved some to tears and others it gave hope of a better tomorrow.

    Chairman of the planning committee, Deacon Emmanuel Orororo, thanked God for the success of the convention.

    Pastor Ajayi also gave all glory to God for the success of the convention and particularly for the lives that were touched and saved.

    He said: “Nothing compares to the joy of seeing men saved, and turned to God, that is our greatest commission.”

     

     

  • I’d rather help the needy than flaunt a pet project – Ogun First Lady Olufunso Amosun

    I’d rather help the needy than flaunt a pet project – Ogun First Lady Olufunso Amosun

    Ogun State First Lady and wife of Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, was recently honoured at the City People Awards for Excellence. But unlike many other first ladies who flaunt their pet projects, she was honoured as the Best First Lady in the South-West on account of her charity work. The holder of a master’s degree in Guidance and Counselling from the University of Lagos told MERCY MICHAEL that her weakness consists in not being able to ignore the needy and the vulnerable whereever she finds them.

     

    What would you say has earned you the recent award as the Best First Lady in the South-West? Did the award come as a surprise?

    I reach out to the vulnerable in the society generally. I have assisted them in my own little ways. I have a weakness for helping them wherever possible. I am of the view that a little care for the needy in our society can make a huge difference. One of my first major outings as the wife of the governor of Ogun State was the flagging off ceremony of the 2011 Maternal Neonatal and Child Health Week in Abeokuta where I charged mothers to always ensure that their children were well fed with nourishing foods in order to reduce infant mortality. I believe that if children are adequately fed with nourishing foods, they will gain the needed immunity against the diseases that are responsible for child mortality.

    You also flagged off the school-based de-worming exercise, which was organised in collaboration with Emzor Pharmaceuticals Limited in 2011. Tell us about it.

    The exercise was conducted for primary school pupils across the 20 local government areas of the state to reduce worm infection among children. My office as the wife of the Ogun State Governor has also initiated many significant programmes aimed at supporting the present administration in its mission to rebuild the state, such as the education standard in schools in Ogun State. In a bid to wake up the motivation in the students and complement the free education scheme and free text books distributed to students in the state by my husband’s administration, I felt that a reward system of some sort could assist in motivating the students to strive to do better.

    As a guidance counsellor by profession, I decided to seek sponsorship to support a motivating programme for SS3 students. In our campaign to make life more comfortable for the less-privileged in February 2012, the UPLIFT Foundation collaborated with Tulsi Chanrai Foundation and Enpee Group to organise a free eye campaign for over 4,000 people from the 20 local government areas of the state. An event such as this became particularly necessary with my observance over the years. I mean, it is painful to see people go blind simply because of cataract, a disease that could have been cured easily through medical treatment. Ignorance has cost a lot of less- privileged people their sights, and that breaks my heart.

    After the free eye camp, we also carried out free surgeries where necessary. Through our programmes, we are giving a sense of belonging to aged people in the state. During my husband’s birthday in 2012, for example, instead of felicitations, we invited over 1,000 aged persons to join him in celebrating his day. We gave them health tips at the event, including free medical screening. Realising that this was just one day in the lives of these people, on my birthday last year, 100 of these indigent aged citizens were identified and have now been put on a monthly plan to receive essential commodities and a monthly stipend to assist them in their daily lives. We also have other programmes for the people of Ogun State, which time will not allow me to mention.

    What does this award mean to you?

    I feel it is a very reputable one. I had never attended any. I was called out from the blue and told that the work that I had been doing had qualified me for the award; which suggests that they had actually done their homework and were not just giving awards frivolously.

    Would you say you really deserve this award?

    I would like to believe so, to the glory of God. I had never gone personally to receive any award. But when this one came, stating all the work that I had done, I knew I had to be here myself because this award is obviously being given on the basis of merit.

    What is the nature of your own pet project?

    I don’t have a pet project. Unlike other governors’ wives who have pet projects, I only reach out to anybody that I can help in the society.

    What about your foundation, Understanding People’s Limiting & Inhibiting Factors Today (UPLIFT)?

    It had existed before my husband became a governor. The foundation’s activities are divided into six groups, namely, Uplifting the Widows, Uplifting Unemployed Graduates, Uplifting Women, Free Eye Camp, Uplifting the Aged and Uplifting SS3 Students. In the course of our work with widows, the foundation has supported indigent widows with business start-up items like salon starter kits, table top gas cookers, sewing machines and soft drinks business starter kits, to mention but a few.

    Furthermore, as a demonstration of our sensitivity to graduate mothers, the foundation provides emergency crèches so that they too could have the chance to take advantage of the programme. These graduates are taught skills like barbing, wireworks, millinery, fabric beading, small chops and pastry, event decoration, manicure and pedicure, shoe making, makeup and gele (headgear) tying, to mention but a few.

    We have also placed priority on the empowerment of women in the state. Therefore, we have distributed deep freezers, motorcycles, generators, sewing machines, grinding machines, among other items. at distributorship prices to be purchased by members of established cooperatives within the state. They are given the chance to spread the payment for these items over a 12-month interest-free period. Our Uplifting the Age programme gives a sense of belonging to elderly people in the state.

    How to do you manage the home front with the volume of work you do as the First Lady?

    Well, I guess it has become a part and parcel of me and a way of life because we are not new in politics. As you know, my husband had been a senator before he became a governor. So, it is just basically a way of life for me.

    You mostly appear in African attire. Why is it so?

    I am an indigene of Ogun State and a citizen of Nigeria. So, I am supposed to be an ambassador for African clothing. Besides, I love being comfortable and simple. So, I would not be caught wearing anything uncomfortable and vulgar.

    How has your free eye camp impacted on the people in the state?

    I would humbly say this has been of great benefit to thousands of indigent people in Ogun State. Eyesight is something that can be easily taken for granted, and that is why we have stepped up our awareness campaign to reduce loss of sight in the state. We are generally passionate about the health of the people in our state, especially the less-privileged.