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Tag: NGO

  • NGO fetes widows, facilitates employment for youths

    NGO fetes widows, facilitates employment for youths

    The Comrade Chinedu Ogah Foundation (CCOF), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has said it facilitated employments for 710 youths across different tribes and political divides since its inception in 2006.

    The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the foundation, Comrade Chinedu Ogah revealed this at Item-Amagu in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State while distributing welfare packages to over 3, 000 widows and other less-privileged people in the community.

    The items distributed were wrappers, maggi, salt, onions; tablets of bathing soap, bowls and cash among others.

    According to Ogah, the foundation, within the year under review, ensured the employment of 120 youths into federal parastatals.

    Ogah, who is also the National Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbanjo Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria called on well-meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to use their wealth to enhance the well-being of the poor in the society.

    “The widows, youths and other less-privileged people are my security and defence. What my foundation is doing now is an opportunity we have from God and that is why we are extending it to others. In this community, 15 people have gone for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) this year. Today’s event is an annual one meant to take care of some less-privileged people.

    “From January last year till now, 120 youths have been given jobs at federal parastatals and from the inception of this foundation till now, 710 people have been given jobs. This year, we have given out scholarships to the handicapped in the 13 local government areas while widows in Ikwo are equally taken care of,” Ogah said.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige explained that the gesture of the foundation was in tandem with the policies of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) of the Federal Government.

    Represented by the State Coordinator of NDE, Mr. Marcel, the Minister said the Federal Government was working assiduously to ensure the speedy employment of youths across the country, even as he urged public-spirited individuals to partner government towards the improvement of the living standards of Nigerians.

    Also, the Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, Dr. Kelechi Igwe who was represented by Mr. Festus Okoha advised the foundation not to relent in its objective of caring for the less-privileged people in the society as the state government has equally set machinery in place for the well-being of all residents of the state.

     

  • NGOs educate Delta community leaders, others on budgeting process

    A non-governmental organisation, The Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE-Africa) and its partner, National Endowment for Democracy (NED) U.S.A, have held a one-day stakeholders meeting in Asaba-the Delta State capital.

    The conference as part of LITE-Africa’s Strengthening Citizens’ Voice for Change (SCV4C) project was for state policy makers, local government officials, civil society organizations, community leaders and the media on strengthening citizen’s participation in the Delta State budget.

    The meeting drew over 30 leaders from government, legislators, State Ministries of Budget and Economic Planning, local government and civil society groups and the media.

    It aims at bringing Delta State’s legislators and citizens together to understand the complexity and multi-sectorial nature of public budget.

    It also aims to identify opportunities for existing citizens’ participation in the Delta State budget, and understand existing efforts by the Delta State government towards inclusive budgeting.

    The meeting in a communiqué observed improvement on budgetary transparency and accountability by facilitating public access to the 2016 budget of Delta State and initiating the early presentation of the 2017 budget to the Delta State House of Assembly.

    It said early presentation of the State’s 2017 budget provided ample opportunity for citizens to engage with it and deployment of resources in the State.

    It urged the Delta State government to give prioritized attention to participatory budget process at all levels of government, adding that low citizen’s awareness   and non-participation in budgetary process impacts negatively on the socio-economic development of the communities.

    It noted as minimal, citizens’ involvement in project identification and selection process, adding that this often results in lack of ownership by citizens.

    The communiqué further observed the project sustainability is not given needed priority by government agencies in designing projects in the State.

    It decried the low effort to capture the needs of persons with disability, despite the existence of a State steering committee on persons with disability (PWD).

    It recommended improved feedback mechanism between the agencies of government, development partners and communities to strengthen transparency and accountability to ensure quality service delivery.

    It recommended a bottom-up approach to open and transparent all inclusive and participatory budgeting, especially at the formative stage.

    It advocates for budgetary projects to address the socio-economic needs of vulnerable groups, especially women, youth, persons with disability (PWD) in communities.

    It urges communities to protect government projects and ensure they support government project execution and monitoring.

    The meeting urges the full implementation of the Medium-Term Development Plan (2016-2019) which encapsulates the five-point SMART agenda of the Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s administration.

  • NGO demands release of leader

    A group, Imo Bilie Initiative for Social Justice (IBIN),w has demanded the release of its detained national coordinator, Obidinma Aku.

    Aku is being detained at the Owerri prison for an alleged Facebook criticism of Imo State deputy governor, Eze Madumere.

    The group has petitioned the Federal Government, Human Rights Commission, All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, the Department of State Services (DSS) and civil society groups among others, seeking their intervention.

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator of the group, Aduradu Okey, in a statement, said the activist hosts the popular Mandate Monitor radio talk show on MyRadio 100.9Fm Owerri.

    He said Aku was arrested last November and charged with public incitement and defamation at a magistrates’ court after being detained for four days.

    The group is, therefore, seeking unconditional release of its national coordinator.

    It said the government’s action was intended to intimidate him and a ploy to stop the hosting of the month’s maiden edition of the Imo Good Governance lecture.

    The FCT coordinator said the group had been constructive in its criticisms of the government’s policies.

    The group, he said, demanded details of the N26.8 billion bailout fund received from the Federal Government, and details of the 27 general hospitals claimed to have been constructed by the government, among others.

    The DSS, the group said, invited the activist who responded promptly. It wondered why the DSS would resort to what it described as unlawful manner of arrest.

    The group alleged that those who came forward as Aku’s surety were threatened, adding that a traditional ruler who had already signed withdrew after his staff of office was threatened.

     

  • NGO fetes widows, doles out jobs

    A nongovernmental organisation, the Comrade Chinedu Ogah Foundation, says it has given out employment to 710 youths across different tribes and political party divide since the organisation came on board in 2006.

    The Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Foundation, Comrade Chinedu Ogah, stated this at Item-Amagu in Ikwo local government area of the state while distributing welfare packages to over 3000 widows and less privileged in the community.

    Ogah who is also the National Coordinator of Buhari/Osinbanjo Initiative for Demonstrating Change in Nigeria called on well meaning Nigerians and philanthropists to extend their wealth to the betterment of the less-privileged in society.

    In his remarks, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, explained that the gesture of the Foundation was in tandem with the policies of the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, of the federal government.

  • Why healthy children make good scholars, by NGO

    Why healthy children make good scholars, by NGO

    Parents have been urged to pay attention to what their children eat. A non-govermental organisation (NGO), Passion for Healthy Kids Initiative (PHKI), made the call at a banquet and health event, tagged: PHKI Mini-Kitchen and Health Fair, which it organised was the second edition of such event. It was part of its end–of– year activities.
    The NGO brought together health and education experts to provide food and health care for over 200 school children and their parents at Ogombo Primary School, Ajah, Lagos.
    According to the NGO, as a result of the recession, less than two per cent of school age children consistently ate well and right last year. It called for strategic action to curb the trend. “Some of these children are undernourished and need our help as parents and government to become healthy, because it is only healthy kids that can learn better,” it said.
    At the event, the children began the day with exercises. They were led by Aunty Ify, who took them through some aerobics. The fair also featured mouth and hand washing exercises, education and health chats by experts, balanced breakfast, and dental and eye check-up for children, sugar and blood pressure check-up for parents. The children and their parents also went home with freebies in form of PHKI starter packs, including T-shirts, books, noodles, toothbrushes, drinks (for children), and vegetable oils and small bags of rice for parents.
    Balanced breakfast, in the words of PHKI Co-coordinator, Mrs Edirin Metseagharun, is an essential requirement for child’s healthy growth. She is also passionate about healthy living, which underscored why the event was held to address child undernourishment/obesity and teach children and parents healthy lifestyle.
    She said: “Helping children eat right and be active everyday means they have a better shot at being successful in school and in life. But children’s health and their ability to learn continue to be in jeopardy. The facts are alarming and should encourage all of us to take action.
    “Our target is to reach out to one thousand (1000) children, by providing them with healthy food products as starter packs. The mini-kitchen series started in 2015 and in this second edition, we have added dental and health care, along with education and health chats for children and their parents. The parents need to be sensitised on how to provide balanced diet for their wards, recession or no recession.”
    Director of Educational Special Duties, Eti-Osa Local Government Authority, Mr Biola Olugbenga, urged parents to pay attention to their roles in the development of their wards, adding that child’s education begins from home. While harping on the importance of fruits in the diet, he called for public-private partnerships, collaborative efforts by every stakeholder would lead to a healthy future for children.
    “Parents should be ready to teach their children the importance and truth about healthy living. It is not the quantity of the food that makes a diet balanced, but the quality of the diet.
    “We need more of this in our schools so that our children and their parent can actually get the awareness that is required for them. We need this kind of initiative across the state and country. But to replicate it would require the support of other NGOs and corporate organisations. If other stakeholders will do the needful by bringing out money to support the government and initiatives as this, we would surely get there,” Mr Olugbenga said.
    Founder, Asman Dental Clinic, Dr Naboya Maria, encouraged children and parents to pay attention to their teeth. She observed that most of the children teeth are in bad shape as a result of unhealthy lifestyles. She said: “Maintaining good dental health is not all about money. It begins with you brushing twice and day, and changing your brushes three times in a year. Our mouth is the gateway to our body, keep it clean.”
    For Dr Denis Kalu of Citadel Optical Clinic an optometrist, food containing Vitamin A is a must for healthy eyesight. He advised parents and children to “mix their diets with protein (beans) and fruits”, while admonishing them “not to skip meals, especially breakfast”. “We saw a lot of cases that had to do with nutrition, which is why I commend this NGO for this initiative of bring doctors to care for the eye and teeth of the children from this area is a plus,” he said.
    The event was sponsored by Beloxxi, UAC, Grand Cereals and Oil Ltd, Shoprite, Fortis, Asman Dental Clinic and Citadel Optical Clinic.

  • NGO trains students on leadership

    A NON-GOVERNMENTAL Organisation (NGO), Rise Networks, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation has trained 20 students on leadership and politics. The week-long training was held at Definite Destiny Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos.

    Participants were selected from the Lagos State University (LASU), Federal Polytechnic, Offa (OFFA POLY), Federal Polytechnic, Oko (OKO POLY), University of Ibadan (UI), University of Ilorin (UNILORIN), University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Bayero University, Kano (BUK), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Kaduna State University (KADSU), University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and University of Benin (UNIBEN), among others.

    The group’s Programme Coordinator, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji,  said the training was informed by the need to motivate the youth to be patriotic, productive and responsible.

    She said: “Rise Networks is well known for its campaigns to engender patriotism. This partnership reflects our belief in the potential of the youth to soar and excel in their chosen fields when given the opportunity. This informs this training here today.

    “The participants are potential entrepreneurs, business leaders and the hope for a better tomorrow. We believe if future leaders must be ready to lead the country, there is need to equip them with good traits and values to prepare them for the task.”

    A participant from UNILORIN, Lukman Shobowale, said the training changed his views about leadership, stating that saying he learnt how the nation’s diversity could be explored to promote development.

    He said: “We came from different parts of the country to discuss how we can turn our challenges to success story. I have changed views about politics and leadership. I believe we can achieve development despite our diversity in culture and language.”

    Another participant from UNILAG, Etinosa Osaro, said: “I have become a new human being after undergoing the training. I used to have rigid opinion about leadership, but now, I have become a leader who will use knowledge to change my country. I appreciate Rise Networks for this opportunity.”

    Regina Umeh, a participant from LASU, said: “I learnt the rudiments of good governance and leadership. A good leader must always consider his people in decision making. A leader must never be biased in making decisions that will benefit his people.”

  • UN agency, NGO seal agreement on clean-up project in Niger Delta

    UN agency, NGO seal agreement on clean-up project in Niger Delta

    A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Foundation for Youth Development (FYD) and the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) have signed a Memorandum of Agreement ( MoA) to implement environmental clean-up project to be financed by the Global Environmental Facility-Small Grant Program (GEF-SGP).

    The Memorandum of Agreement is meant to support community environmental initiatives that will a lso enhance livelihood.

     A statement by FYD Project Director, Mr. Ugo Amadioha, noted that the project will entail the “Reclamation of Oil Spill Degraded Farm Lands through Sustainable Agro forestry in Etekwuru-Egbema, Abacheke-Egbema and Ugada-Egbema Communities of Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area in Imo State.

     The statement also said that FYD had already commenced preparations for the pilot project which is scheduled to officially kick off in January 2017.

    It said that upon successful implementation, FYD will maintain management oversight of the project, while the benefiting community and Local Community Based Organization (CBO) partner would take over day to day operation, and project ownership.

    The project highlights include: Establishment of economic tree planting nursery that will utilize three hectares of community donated land to plant economic trees including cassava, plantains and pineapples.

    It noted that additional seedling will also be provided to disadvantaged community members to cultivate individual farms.

    Installation of Off-grid Solar Photovoltaic (PV) powered borehole for community farm irrigation and local community water supply. Construction of a community waste collection/processing centre; Transplant of economic trees on three hectares of communal land for poverty alleviation and sustainable land management and Reforestation oil spill degraded farm land, will also be handled.

    It said that the project will also feature the installation of off-grid Solar Photovoltaics (PV) powered borehole for irrigation, and reforestation of oil spill degraded farm lands will support the following GEF-SGP Thematic/Focal Areas: Land Degradation, Sustainable Forest Management and Climate Change.

    It said that the present intervention is part of community outreach program of FYD to empower Nigerian youths (women and men) at the community/grassroots level to proactively participate in environmental remediation for sustainable development and poverty alleviation.

    It noted that given the wide spread of land degradation in the Niger Delta region due to oil spills, this pilot project presents a unique opportunity for the reclamation and restoration of the very important, but fragile ecosystems of the Niger Delta region.

    It said that FYD strongly believes that lessons learned from this pilot projectwill be applicable to other parts of Nigeria, especially within the Niger Delta region.

  • Police faults report of NGO on Rivers re-run election

    Police faults report of NGO on Rivers re-run election

    The Police have faulted a report by a Non-Governmental Organisation, CLEEN Foundation on the rerun election held at the weekend in Rivers State.
     
    The Foundation in a report claimed that the election was marred by irregularities, large scale violence, professional misconduct and open bias by security operatives and electoral personnel.
     
    The police while condemning the report described the report as lurid, fraught with inaccuracies and lacking in substance.
     
    In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by the Force Spokesman, Don Awunah, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has also set up a high powered investigation team to unravel the circumstances surrounding the death of one police officer, DSP Mohammed Alkali and others who are missing.
     
     According to the statement: “The report released by an NGO, CLEEN Foundation that the elections were ‘marred by irregularities, large scale violence, professional misconduct and open bias by security operatives and electoral personnel’ is in its entirety lurid, fraught with inaccuracies and lacking in substance.”
     
    “It is a disservice to the evolving Nigerian democracy and sacrifice of the security personnel for the CLEEN Foundation report to assert that, there were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS.
     
    “It is also saddening for the CLEEN Foundation report to attribute the death of a police officer, DSP Mohammed in the course of duty to what the report termed “unwarranted use of force and shooting.” It is a brazen display of insensitivity to the fallen officer and disrespect to the family.
     
    “Undoubtedly, there were some infractions of law in the course of the elections where the police and other security agencies rose to the occasion and ensured the electoral process prevailed accordingly”.
     
     The IGP has however assured Nigerians that the enthronement of credible electoral process remains one of his priorities.
     
    Assessing the election, the police said: “There is no doubt that some disgruntled elements in the state attempted to foist violence and insecurity on the populace that are generally peace loving. Comparatively, the re-run election was a huge success in contrast to past elections in the state that were usually characterized by violence and wanton destruction of lives and property.
     
    “The IGP master plan on election security will continue to be improved upon for future elections in the county. This master plan will usher in credible, fair, free and acceptable elections in accordance with the principles of democratic policing and international best practices”.
  • NGOs tackle diabetes at farmers’ market

    NGOs tackle diabetes at farmers’ market

    Emcorp Healthcare Limited has partnered Diabetes Help Enlightenment Organisation (DHEO), a non-governmental organisation (NGO), to give free diabetes screening to farmers in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The outreach was held to commemorate the World Diabetes Day.

    The event featured awareness and a rally at the Farmers’ Market in Maitama Abuja. After the rally, the traders received free sugar level test and got professional advice on their medical condition. About 150 traders benefited from the screening, which included Body Mass Index (BMI) and blood pressure.

    Mr Emmanuel Egbroko, a corp member, said the campaign was necessary to draw attention to change in food composition because of urbanisation. He said people in urban areas were liable to suffer diabetes because of the kind of food they eat. To effectively battle the disease, Egbroko said early detection of the signs remained key to managing it.

    He said: “Diabetes is a silent killer, which can go unnoticed until complications arise. Screening is very important, especially in urban areas, where regular checkups are not people’s habit. We are using this programme to increase awareness about diabetes. This is why we embark on free screening and education.”

    Egboroko praised DHEO Director, Mrs Aisha Ali for collaborating with Emcorp to organise the event. He hailed volunteers, including Justin Nwadiaru, Alexander Evroh, Obazuaye Charles, Azino Usuemerai and Mine Nefertiti, who worked with the partners to ensure a hitch-free outreach.

    A beneficiary, Ms Margaret Paul, praised the organisers, saying:“I have been rescued from death by the organisers of the outreach. I was educated on how I could adjust my eating habits, so I don’t create unnecessary complications for myself. This is a good programme and I hope it is sustained, because it would help many people to properly manage their health.”

  • NGO takes anti-corruption campaign to pupils

    Secondary school pupils of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State have been taught how to kick corruption out of the country.

    About 10 schools had representatives at the Youth Development Centre, Agege where the pupils were inspired to shun acts of favouritism, bully, disobedience, cheating, among other vices under the slogan, Corruption: Not in my country.

    Akin-Fadeyi Foundation Director, organisers of the programme, Mr Akin Fadeyi, said pupils were targeted in the programme, which was sponsored by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) both of the European Union (EU), as a method of fighting corruption from the roots.

    He said corruption was an act that developed right from the young age, explaining that pupils were found guilty of examination malpractice, bullying, favouritism, indecent dressing, among others.

    Charging them, Mr Fadeyi said: “The children are the leaders of tomorrow. If you see someone going wrong, don’t ignore them, but reach out to them. Prefects, you are leaders. If you omit your friend’s name in noise makers’ list, you are corrupt and you will face the repercussions later in life. When you dress badly, you send a message to a rogue that you are available. Dressing badly is corruption, because you are corrupting somebody. If you get raped because you dressed badly, you are as guilty as the rapist. If you sag just to copy your idols, then you don’t have dignity. Nobody is rich. Don’t respect people because of what they have, but because of their dignity. Create self respect for yourself, face your academics, do the right thing and shun corruption.”

    Another speaker, Mr Dominion Esechie, appealed to the pupils to make the choice to fight corruption regardless of their age.

    He said shunning corruption was more about making choices pertaining to positive exertion of willpower, sowing good acts to reap good habits, listening to good conscience, storing quality information and gaining positive inspiration.

    He called for collective efforts in fighting corruption, noting that the nation’s leaders have failed in that regard.

    The organisation’s brand ambassador, Nollywood actor, Mr Jude Orhorha, also advised the pupils to shun bad company and be confident in themselves to stand for what is right.