The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NGO

  • NGO gives out cars at promotion

    A multi-level marketing company, Touching Lives International (TLI), which was inaugurated this year in Lagos, has begun to touch the lives of the less-privileged persons in a positive manner.

    The organisation is a platform through which public-spirited individuals offer humanitarian services to the less-privileged. A token of members’ registration fees is used to cater for the needs of the poor.

    The company, which was founded in the Philippines and was inaugurated in Nigeria on July 8 this year, operates as a non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    Recently, two star prize winners emerged after attaining a certain promotional level. They received SUV cars each as their prizes. They also received cheque of three thousand dollars each.

    Narrating how they achieved the feat with N7, 000, Eleogo Adejoh said she qualified for the car eight days after enrollment. She was able to meet her target with the help of her team and down lines.

    The down lines are those who were introduced to the marketing plan. A total of 115 items were given them, such as washing machines, television sets, laptops, iPad and generating sets.

    Miss Adejoh added that the one- off token of N7, 000 donated to charity fetched her car and an opportunity to nominate and empower two widows each, with one thousand dollars in Naira equivalent. If she gets to the next stage, she will nominate two children for scholarships which TLI will shoulder the responsibility on her behalf.

    Another beneficiary, Mrs. Agatha Ekpo, a graduate of Accountancy, who resigned from her banking profession to take up career with TLI full time, recalled how she began multi-level marketing in 2009. She also qualified for the SUV seven days after the product was launched.

    She said: “I encourage Nigerians to embrace multi-level marketing, because it is the fastest way to break out of poverty.”

    Other programmes by the company include free skill acquisition to learn soap and bead making for its members.

    Country Manager of TLI, Mr. Moses Durolola said the company achieved the great number of recipients due to its compensation plan that can’t be compared to any other in the industry.

    “We have a user-friendly matrix that allows members to realise their dreams; because it is a life that is empowered that can touch the lives of the less-privileged. Our prices are competitive because as they bring more members, they are making more money,” he said.

    He revealed that at the end of this month, another set of awards would come up, where beneficiaries will triple the number of July recipients.

  • NGO proposes training to stem migration

    An Italy-based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) Assoc Centro Servizi Immigrati Marche (ACSIM) has expressed readiness to partner with Abia and federal government to train youths.

    It said the training would enable the youths achieve self-sufficiency and dissuade them from migrating to Europe in search of the proverbial golden fleece.

    Speaking with newsmen in Umuahia, the president of ACSIM Dr Daniel Amanze, said the NGO is willing to train youths on professional skills that would fetch them jobs.

    Amanze, a lawyer said, the training will empower youths in skills such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT), agriculture, public administration and environmental care.

    He said that most of the youths would also be trained in the area of waste management.

    According to him: “They will recycle wastes into energy instead of looking for where to dump them, especially now that we have epileptic power supply in the country.”

    He explained that the recent rave in migration to Europe may lead to criminal activities.

    According to him: “If we succeed, it could be a way of attracting those displaced youths out of the country to re- enter the country and be meaningful to themselves.

  • NGO provides academic materials for Ekiti pupils

    Students of Ado Grammar School and pupils of Ado Grammar Nursery and Primary School both in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital had cause to smile as Ado Metropolitan Lions Club showered them with materials to boost their academic career.

    Under the club’s “Back to School Initiative for Youth Empowerment”, notebooks, mathematical sets and other writing materials were distributed to them to the delight of the students.

    Members of the Ado-Ekiti Metropolitan Lions Club 404B2 led by their president, Lion Oyedeji Olajubu, said the gesture was the beginning of packages for the education sector to provide an environment conducive to learning.

    The President, who pointed out that the club was propelled to give out to the poor and needy in the society in its usual manner to demonstrate love, and service to humanity as a way of life, urged the students and the pupils to exemplify same.

    Olajubu also advised the pupils and students to imbibe the spirit of giving and sacrifice for one another, saying giving and sharing is the greatest thing in life. He stated that the gesture was to express love to and share with others, adding that “love is also essential”, without love it would be difficult to share or give out.

    He said: “The Lions is a Club that serves. We are not saying that you’re poor; we just want to contribute to your education by sharing some writing materials to you for use when you resume school. We don’t have to be so rich before we give to others.

    “I encourage you to be part of the club by becoming Alpha Leos. There are three Ts that are required of you to be a Lion, your Time, Talent and Treasure. If you are ready to sacrifice these three, you are qualified to be a lion.

    “The Junior Lion’s Club, called Alpha Leo Club, is organised in junior schools with a view to helping fellow students who are not from rich homes. Don’t look at what we brought, but at yourselves and be willing to serve.

    “Tell others that service is the greatest thing to do, and it takes true love to serve. Ensure that you also share what we are giving to your friends.”

    Olajubu also unfolded the club’s plan to carry out some capital projects in support of education and to create better scenery.

    He added: “We will be building a three-room hall for the nursery and primary school Ado-Ekiti. One of the rooms would be for their library while the other two would be an extension of their classrooms. We are also going to assist a pupil who is visually impaired. His name is Salau Tijani.

    “Our other programmes this year include environmental projects and helping those who are visually challenged. Last year, we assisted in environmental sanitation. We will decide on what to do on environment this year.

    “We are also going to be helping a lot of people who have visual challenges. We will distribute materials to aid them and also help is treatment if possible.”

    Lion Idowu Adeojo, a popular medical practitioner said: “We are Lions that have a strong heart to help others. Lions Club is all over the world.

    “We promise that you will be seeing us more as the present President like your school. I pray that you would one day be like us and even be greater than us.

    A pupil of the Ado Nursery and Primary School, Praise Daramola, who spoke on behalf of the pupils, said that was the first time they are receiving such materials from any non-governmental organisation (NGO).

    Daramola said: “On behalf of the students, we appreciate the club for this gesture. It will go a long way in helping us in our studies. This is the first in the history of the school and we greatly appreciate it.”

    Some other officials of the club who joined the President during the humanitarian service included Lion Victory Edafe, Lion Folorunsho Alade, Lion Ayodeji Adeyemi, Lion Yeye Olunfunke Olajubu and Lion Rotimi Ojomoyela.

  • NGO donates mattresses to prison inmates

    NGO donates mattresses to prison inmates

    Trustees of the African Ultimate Human Development Trust, a non-governmental and non-profit organisation, paid a visit to the inmates of the Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, Apapa Lagos.

    The trustees, led by Chief Seun Alli (President) and Chief Adesina Alli (Vice-President) included Sir Festus Olu Coker (Treasurer), Mrs. Taiwo Akinsiku (Secretary), Mr. Feyisayo Alli (PRO) and Mr. Femi Omoniyi (Legal Adviser). They donated a large number of mattresses and blankets for the comfort of the inmates.

    In his appreciation speech, Mr. Seye Oduntan, the Deputy Comptroller of Prisons in charge of Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, referred to the gifts as an answered prayer. He remarked that it was as if the prison’s authority requested the items from the visitors. He called on all good- spirited individuals and organisations to donate materials for skill acquisition and books for the prison’s library as some inmates are undergraduates of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    Mr Oduntan also said the facility was in dire need of functional vehicles to convey the inmates to and from various courts within Lagos State for quick dispensation of justice. He appealed to the public to assist the government.

  • NGO teaches ethical leadership to pupils

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO), The Future Builders, has taught pupils to imbibe the tenets of ethical leadership to check bad governance in the country.

    The pupils, from over 10 schools, were enlightened in a lecture with the theme: “Ethical Leadership and the challenges of good Government in Nigeria,” organised by the NGO at the Afromedia town hall, Ajangbadi, Lagos State.

    One of the speakers, Mr Azeez Fatai Akinbode, said leadership without direction and ethics is worthless.

    He advised the pupils to imbibe the culture of laying personal examples, unlike Nigerian leaders.

    Listing the features of good governance, Akinbode said: “It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law, which is the ethics of any society.”

    He added: “For you to become a good leader, you must posses certain characteristics, which include devoting your time and energy to leading the process of value creation that empowers leaders to incorporate and be explicit about their own values and ethics.”

    He advised them to manage their time wisely, have a to-do list, avoid time wasters, learn to say no, eat well, be focused, determine their learning style, read to understand and test themselves as preparations for success.

    The second speaker, Mr Olalekan Hakeem, dvised the pupils to be hard working, as preparation precedes success.

    He said: “I have observed that a lot of students are really distracted today either by their phones or what they watch on TV and other avenues. We need to reduce those things so that they can give education and their books more time because it is this book that will make them become great in future.”

    A pupil of Mc Martins International College, Ijanikin, Seun Aderogba said she has learnt the importance of leadership and how it affects the people.

    Segun Odesogun of Anglican Primary School, Badagry, said he was determined to be known as a good and compassionate leader in future.

    Schools in attendance were: Iman College Ojo, Sheffyville Private School Ojo, Funak College Ojo, Mc Martins International College Ijanikin, Gumi School Ojo, Absolute Success College, Glory Ville College Ojo, The Sublime School Ojo, Blessed Winners College and  Anglican Primary School Badagry.

     

  • NGO provides free medicare for residents

    Residents of Adalemo in Ado/Odo-Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State were excited when a foundation, Charity Tour with Ay4God offered free medical services to them.

    The non-governmental organisation (NGO), also donated foods, clothes and shoes, among other materials to children .

    According to the Coordinator, Mr. Stephen Ayodele Abadariki, the event whose theme was “Greatest Love” was to give back to the community.

    He said it is not until one has the whole world before one could show love to others, adding that nothing is small or big to assist the needy.

    He challenged religious and political leaders to assist the less-privilege persons.

    He said: “Most churches nowadays are only after offerings and tithes without minding how the members live and eat and whether or not their children attend schools. He also said majority of the schools owned by churches charge higher school fees, thereby making it difficult for the member’s children to attend.”

    This, he said, does not portray a good society.

    Mr Abadariki urged government to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.

    “I am convinced that the rich have an obligation to give back to the society,” Mr Abadarigi said.

     

  • NGO takes women empowerment centre stage

    NGO takes women empowerment centre stage

    A non-governmental organisation (NGO)), CHAMP Xceptional Women Network, a platform commited to women empowerment, has stepped up efforts at training women on how to start their businesses and market their products. Daniel Essiet reports.

    THE Founder of CHAMP Xceptional Women Network, the platform committed to women empowerment, Mr. Abiola Salami, believes that entrepreneurs are the backbone of the economy and that they can  influence economic change within their  areas  and communities.

    He has, therefore, been leading empowerment programmes  for  entrepreneurs especially women eager for tips on how to start and market their products or business.

    He said: “Our primary targets are women between 18 and 40  who seek to live, learn and lead everyday like champions.We have received amazing testimonials from women above 40, who have received value from our programmes and products over the years.”

    Salami said, for instance, that a testimony from a well-educated woman in her 70s, who attended one of the organisation’s programmes was encouraging. “I rediscover myself and renew my confidence anytime I attend your programmes,” he quoted the woman as saying.

    Salami explained that the goal of the Non-governmental Organisation (NGO) was to be a hub for learning about entrepreneurship. He said the NGO was  partnering with government officials, community leaders and organisations on strategies that support entrepreneurship.

    His organisation offers trainings and connects people who successfully support entrepreneurs.And as rural entrepreneurship continues to be a focus for the government, Salami believes  that the country  needs programmes  that support ,grow and  meet the needs of  start-ups and   entrepreneurs.

    He  said he wants Nigerians to begin to see that there are  opportunities for people who want to start growing their businesses and  entrepreneurs to know they are not alone. He noted that the number of new businesses set up have increased  significantly.

    Salami also noted that the  existing talents across the  sectors are potential pool that can be tapped into for innovative ideas. He said relevant government agencies need to consider programmes to develop, such talents with the necessary training and schemes to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship.

    He said in 2013, his organisation  established the Women Making A Difference Awards, which is a yearly recognition and appreciation award for young and top women who have made sterling contributions to their families, industries and communities.

    “We reward excellence, consistency, uniqueness, competence and exceptional acts that can serve as inspiration to other young and top women. Some of the top women who we have recognised over the past three years include Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Dr.Mo Abudu, Mrs Uchenna Erobu, Mrs Amina Oyagbola, Prof. Remi Sonaya, Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori and Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” Salami said.

    Some of the young women the organisation has recognised include Maureen Iyasele, Adebola Deji-Kurunmi, Rita Ezenwa-Okoro, Kemi Ajumobi, Adesewa Josh and Tolulope Otunoluwa.

    Salami said he is determined to  provide women  with information on income opportunities  to improve their standard of living; finding markets for their produce and to help them  in developing their skills in value-added production, business management and marketing through training.

    He is also keen to attract more  younger women to serve as examples to other women of what can be achieved with limited capital resources, but strong determination and hard work.

    To improve information sharing and promote networking, his organisation holds sessions to discuss the key challenges and new opportunities to enhance women’s led businesses.

  • NGO presents book on Oyo communities

    NGO presents book on Oyo communities

    TO promote good governance and growth, a non-governmental organisation, Information Aid Network, has presented a book on Oyo communities.

    The project, Village Book, is designed to provide data for investors in agriculture, culture and tourism and education.

    The book, which covers communities such as Isale Togun, Oke Otun and Maya in Ibarapa East Local Government Area of the state, was launched recently.

    The presentation brought together community heads (Bales), local government chairman and other stakeholders.

    The Village Book details women rights and other vital areas in rural development. From this, the communities have brought to the fore areas of needs for development, which they have started working on to improve the lives and standards of their people through community efforts.

    The initiative is supported by Action Aid, Information Aid network. Media support was offered bya  voluntary partner Cowry Arts Foundation.

  • NGO to address blood shortage

    A Pentecostal church, High Life Church, has launched a non-governmental organisation (NGO), LifeBlood Nigeria, to address the gap in the quantity of blood supplied in the country.

    According to the church, a research by LifeBlood shows that Nigeria collects only 38 percent of the required blood each year.

    The Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS), Dr Modupe Olaiya, who was represented by Dr Samuel Alori, launched the NGO in Lagos on June 14,  the World Blood Donor (WBD) Day.

    Olaiya said blood transfusion was an essential component of healthcare, adding: “To achieve safe and adequate supply of blood, donation must be voluntary and regular. In line with the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations, blood donations must come from voluntary donors and all blood donations should be screened for infections prior to use.”

    Olaiya listed some of the enduring challenges in blood transfusion in Nigeria to include sub-optimal recruitment and retention of voluntary; non-remunerated blood donors due to wrong cultural belief and lack of awareness surrounding the issue as well as the dependence on family replacement and commercial blood donors.

    She said Lagos State Government established the LSBTC in June 2004 to regulate blood transfusion services in the state under the supervision of the state’s Ministry of Health.

    The vision, according to her, was to have a state where only safe blood is transfused in all appropriate health facilities; the mission was to provide safe blood through the recruitment of voluntary blood donors, the screening of every unit of blood for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs), and the efficient processing of blood for all who require it.

    She said all blood transfused in public and private hospitals in Lagos must carry the logo of the LSBTC to show that the blood has been screened for TTIs.

    She commended LifeBlood Nigeria initiative and praised High Life Church for an excellent start with voluntary blood donation.

    The executive secretary also commended the global nature of the campaign, saying that LifeBlood’s goals were achievable.

    Pastor Carlton Williams of High Life Church enjoined the congregation and well-wishers to change the world, saying that the understanding of the church’s role in society must change.

    According to Pastor Williams, “The era of mere doctrinal purity is past. The time of limiting our expression of Christ to just understanding the plan of God for an individual’s life is past. This is the day when nations are impacted by the structures of the kingdom through you and me.”

    He continued: “The church is going to get into spaces that we are not known for. The church must shine with potent sustainable solutions that save lives and solve problems in education, business, media, arts and entertainment, government and all manifestations of religious life.”

    Also at the event was Mrs. Tosin Osofisan, the Donor Care Manager of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Abeokuta Centre.

  • NGO fetes pupils

    A non-governmental organisation, Service and Service International, treated some public and private school pupils to a funfair children’s party at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos

    The party, which held at the SWAN Secretariat in the stadium precint, featured activities such as dance, writing, poem recitation, fashion and parade, which were keenly competed by the pupils.

    Obele Community High School, Surulere won the fashion parade and the drama competition, while Sommset College, Surulere won the singing competition.

    Keceed Private School, Egbeda won the dancing competition while Gbaja Senior High School won the spoken words competition.

    Coordinator of the NGO, Chinwe Odibe, said the programme, which is the third in its series, was organised to showcase the pupils’ creativity and help them unwind.

    She said: “We want them to be in a fun-filled environment as it is a day set aside to celebrate children nationally so we want to ensure that we make the day a memorable one for them.”

    Attah Clement, a pupil of Gbaja Senior High School said he was happy to be part of the event.

    “I am very happy that the organisers organised these event for us. They made us happy by celebrating us in this Special way,” he said.

    The winners were rewarded with school bags, accessories and books.