The Nation Newspaper

Tag: NGO

  • NGO pays WASSCE fees for 50 indigent students

    In its bid to enhance education of  youths in Edda land, a non-governmental organisation, Edda Volunteers’ Initiative (EVI) in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, has paid the fees for the May/June 2016 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) for 50 indigent students of the area to the tune of about N5 million.

    The NGO issued the cheques of N90, 000 each to the benefiting students who are from 12 secondary schools in the area.

    The schools include: Amaiyi Comprehensive Secondary School, Ettiti Technical Secondary School, Community Secondary School Ekeje, Ebunwana Girls Secondary School, Community Secondary School Nguzu, Oso Technical Secondary school.

    Others are: Item Secondary School, Secondary Technical School Nguzu, Government Secondary School Owutu, Comprehensive School Libolo, Ekoli Girls High school, and Umunna Comprehensive Secondary School Oguma.

    Issuing the cheques, Dr. Nnanna Onuoha, founder of the NGO, said the gesture was to promote education in the area.

    He noted that he has always been inspired to assist the downtrodden especially the youth and the elderly.

    Onuoha, an engineer based in Abuja, promised to make the gesture an annual event, adding that subsequent editions of the programme would be extended to other parts of the state.

    He expressed delight with the compulsory free education policy of the state and urged the youth to avail themselves of the opportunity to improve their lives and brighten their future.

    However, Onuoha lamented the suffering Edda candidates encountered in their quest to write the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in distant centres, and promised to attract a centre to Afikpo South.

    Traditional Ruler of Ebunwana Community, Ezeogo Charles Azuenya advised the beneficiaries to take their studies seriously and excel in their various examinations to reciprocate the NGO’s kind gesture.

    He warned them against examination malpractice.

     

  • NGO establishes skills acquisition, diabetic care centres

    The Centre for Edo Delta Development Initiative is renewing its effort to tackle diabetes, as well as provide skills training programmes for the people of the Niger Delta.

    Speaking in an interview with Niger Delta Report, Nosasu Omoregbee Edigin, explained that the initiative has been in existence since 2012 but was crystallised to be Centre for Edo Delta Development initiative and registered as a nongovernmental organization in 2014 by the founding Grandbeacons led by Chief Sam Igbe, who is the Iyase (Prime Minister) of Benin Kingdom.

    He said: “Our aim is to eradicate poverty and tackle the debilitating effects of diabetes on the inhabitants of the Edo and Delta states.

    “The initiative is also involved in human capital development of the inhabitants in these states through periodic empowerment training programmes. The initiative has successfully empowered over 5,000 persons in seven local government areas in Edo state in Plaster of Paris (POP) ceiling board design and moulding, liquid soap, sanitizer, insecticide, air freshener making and mobile fish farming. A percentage of the beneficiaries are funded by the initiative to enable them kick-start the new business the initiative has empowered them with.

    “There is also a special focus on the physically challenged persons to make them self-employed and positively useful to the society.

    “On the eradication of diabetes, the initiative reaches out to the nooks and crannies of Edo and Delta states region with well-planned networks of diabetes awareness campaign programmes through testing and dispensing of free drugs to sufferers. We have successfully done diabetic testing for over 10,000 persons and commenced treatment for over 1,000 persons diagnosed by our medical personnel during our awareness campaign programmes.”

    On the modus operandi of the initiative, Edigin explained that CEDDI Head Office is located at the Unity Bank Towers on Mission road, Benin City, Edo state, while its Publicity Office at Urubi street, Iyaro, Shop 30, Ero Shopping Mall Benin city-Edo state and he Delta Publicity office is at Jakpa road, Effurun.

    “We are opening our skills acquisition and diabetic care centre at 15 Sapele road, opposite Federal High Court, Benin City.

    “The initiatives grand structure is led by Chief Sam Igbe, who is called the General Grandbeacon. Other grandbeacons are Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi and yours truly. The initiative is structured to also have body of Partners, body of Financial Supporters, body of Voluntary Supporters, Executives and Beneficiaries.

    “The body of Grand beacons with the Initiative Coordinator gave birth to the initiative and is responsible for the formulation and preparation of the policy action of the initiative stating its style, aims and objectives. They also establish the initiatives body ethics and supports the initiative with funds to kick-start the agreed programmes by their body.

    “The body of  partners are persons or bodies that annually support the initiative with funds, while the body of Financial Supporters are persons or bodies that have supported the initiatives programmes with funds but are not annual financial supporters. We also have the body of Voluntary Supporters, who are persons that offer their voluntary physical support to the initiatives aims and goals and the body of Executives are workers of the initiative,” he added,

    Meanwhile, Edigin dispelled rumour that the body was formed to further the governorship ambition of one of its leaders, Engr Chris Ogiemwonyi, stressing that nothing could be farther from the truth.

    He maintained that Ogiemwonyi had been involved in the initiative long before he aspired to become the Governor of Edo state, adding, “The initiative was created to serve the people of Edo and Delta state region with a core mission to eradicate extreme poverty.”

     

     

  • NGO holds programme for polio

    NGO holds programme for polio

    A non-governmental organisation, Restraint Initiative held a walk, tagged: Walk Beyond Freedom.

    According to Executive Director, Ms Anongiah Abei, the initiative is aimed at promoting the well being and improve the quality of life of polio survivors to enable them lead a life of dignity.  The train was held at 647b Olutoyin Eleoramo Street, Omole Phase 2, Lagos.

    The organisation, which was founded by Dr Dapo Oshoniyi and Ms Abei, is holding a full-fledged campaign calling for care for people affected by polio. The patient also held a lecture entitled: Enabling Survivors through Rehabilitation as part of the Christmas season’s celebration.

    The lecture was delivered by the Coordinator of Polio Rescue, Olugbenga J. Kuye. The organisation also donating wheelchairs, crutches and other supportive aids to identified beneficiaries at the end of the lecture.

  • NGO gives sanitary materials to patients

    NGO gives sanitary materials to patients

    Concerned about the plight of patients in the General Hospital, Kontagora, the Sani Bello Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has distributed sanitary materials, toiletries and fruits to over 100 patients.

    The distribution was part of the foundation’s contributions to commemorate the 48th birthday of the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.

    Materials distributed included detergents, soaps, disinfectants, tissue papers and fruits such as orange, bananas and pineapples, among others.

    The materials were received by the management of the hospital that commended the gesture of the NGO. It urged other organisations to emulate the gesture in order to touch the lives of the needy.

    Speaking after the exercise, the Director-General Sani Bello Foundation, Mr. Zakari Ikani said the distribution was part of the organisation social services to the community.

    “This is the character of the Sani Bello Foundation. This year, we decided to celebrate the 48th birthday of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello with the patients in Kontagora General Hospital. We want to touch the lives of the patients on this special day. I believe we have succeeded in doing so. We intend to do more for the less-privileged persons in the state,” Ikani said.

    The Sani Bello Foundation, which was founded by Colonel Sani Bello (rtd) in 2012, has been in the vanguard of youth and women empowerment in Niger State.

  • NGO reaches out to the indigent in Ajegunle

    A non-governmental organisation, the Charity Ball, has donated foodstuff, clothes and other materials to indigent people in Ajegunle, Lagos.

    The organisation also gave out writing materials, toothpaste, toothbrush, hygiene packs and school sandals to women and children on Oyegunle Street.

    The convener, Olorunfunmi Adebanjo, said the gesture was borne out of her zeal to help the less privileged.

    “I had an idea about reaching out to the poor and I thought why not make Christmas/New Year happy for the less privileged? So I selected a street in Ajegunle called Oyegunle Street and we distributed as much food that can conveniently feed a family of four about four times. The event was mostly for women and children. I am especially grateful to my friends, Okechuku Ofili, author of How Stupidity Saved My Life; Eric Obuh, founder of Ghetto Love Project, and the President’s photographer, Bayo Omoboriowo for their immense support,” she said.

    The philanthropist said she got support from friends and on social media to raise funds for the project.

    She said: “I have been doing charity for a while now but this is the major step I have taken ever since I started and as from next year, I am thinking of having a proper structure and platform, where people can give out to less privileged. I believe that each person should start from little he can do, it is not compulsory to start big. It only gets big if you start from somewhere. I didn’t start big and I don’t think I am big yet. This was possible because there were others who were willing to help.”

    Omoboriowo said he supports the project because of the impact it can make to help the less privileged.

    “This is a very good initiative that if well supported would go big My advice to the people out there is that when you have, give the little you have out,” he said.

    A beneficiary, Mary Michael, said the programme indeed brought succour to the residents.

    “They have helped a lot of people today; because most of us have not eaten since last night. When I heard about the programme from my friends, I came immediately to this place just to make it in time to collect the food they were sharing. We will be able to eat for about four days. I pray that the person organising the programme will never lack in their endeavours,” she said.

    Folashade Saka, another benefactor said: “I feel good today because they have satisfied our needs. Most of us don’t even have the money to buy books or pen to take to school. We have the necessary equipment now because of the charity programme that was held here. I am so happy and thankful to the organiser.”

  • NGO, ExxonMobil calls for legislation to curb VVF

    The Executive Director of an Uyo-based non-governmental organisation (NGO),  Community Partners for Development (CPD), Dr Nsekpong Udoh, working with the support of ExxonMobil,  has called for legislation to forestall incidence of Visco-Vaginal Fistula (VVF) disease.

    Udoh made the call in Uyo while speaking at the awareness seminar for representatives of women groups in Akwa Ibom recently.

    Dr. Nsekpong said that apart from creating awareness on the disease, government should ensure that child marriages were discouraged through enactment of law to punish offenders.

    She lamented that a lot of people living with VVF have been stigmatized and some divorced due to their health condition.

    “For long term solution, sensitization and legislation is needed because if there is a correct legislation about early marriages, teenage pregnancy would stop.

    “When a child is pregnant, they make sure such child goes through proper care and legislation in place,” she said.

    She decried that much had not been done by government in creating awareness on the disease as it was being done in HIV and other illnesses.

    She tasked the women groups to take the sensitization campaign to the rural areas, market places and even the church to check the control of the disease.

    Udoh noted that a lot of women in the rural areas were still suffering from VVF ignorantly without going to the hospital for treatment.

    The director said that her NGO had taken the sensitisation to all the three senatorial districts in Akwa Ibom to create awareness and prevent incidence of VVF in the state.

    She appealed to the state government to expand the VVF centre in Mbribit Itam near Uyo, adding that the centre had been overstretched being the only centre in the state.

    The State Director of Reproductive Health, Mrs Comfort Akpan, said that the public health directorate was committed to reducing the number of girls and women suffering from this VVF.

    Akpan, who was represented by Mrs Grace Okon, Family Planning Officer, State Ministry of Health, said that sensitization and awareness creation was the key to reducing the disease.

    She lamented statistics had shown that Nigeria had a higher burden of VVF than other countries of the world.

    She advised Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) to refer first pregnancy to the hospital for proper ante natal care to prevent the occurrence of the VVF.

    The representative of the Public and Government Affairs Department, ExxonMobil, Mr Eyo Bassey, commended the initiative of the NGO for organising the awareness seminar.

    Bassey said that as a good corporate citizen, ExxonMobil, would always support initiatives that would bring succour to the masses especially children and women on our society.

     

  • NGO advocates interest-free loans

    NGO advocates interest-free loans

    Citinet, a non–governmental organisation (NGO) committed to social and economic development of individuals has held its annual leadership and economic summit at The Best Western plus Hotel, Opebi, Lagos.

    Its team of speakers, including the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Adegbule who was represented spoke on “Delivering Leadership Growth Promises.”

    After exhaustive discussion of the topic, ways forward were suggested in a communiqué released at the end of the meeting.

    The communiqué commended efforts of the Lagos State Government in critical sectors which were taken as the benchmark through which the entire country is judged and growth projected. The Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by the corporate world in Nigeria is necessary – to give back to the people.

    It agreed that the activities of the government taskforces should be monitored, even as it observed that as laudable as the intensions were, some of the  officers are overzealous particularly the police.

    The discussants also advised the Federal Government to consider creating the state police which should be supported by the State Assembly and National Assembly.

    President Muhammadu Buhari was commended on his choice of his cabinet, but advised him to rebuild infrastructure, enact laws and regulations that would facilitate access to interest-free and collateral–free loans to encourage entrepreneurship.

    They also agreed that Iyaloja as manager of vital economic institution, market should ensure commodity associations do not force hardship on common people by their arbitrary hike in prices.

    It said government should consider the plight of the widows and their children just as they maintained that orphans should be fully supported for scholarships and employment.

    It was also agreed that the military should be involved in the protection of pipelines, particularly those in their neighbourhood.

    A major highlight of the ceremony was honouring of some individuals who have distinguished   themselves in their chosen careers.

  • NGO calls for quick action against female bombers

    NGO calls for quick action against female bombers

    A Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO), Girl-Child Rights Awareness Initiative in Africa, has called for urgent action against female suicide bombers in Nigeria.

    The group made the call on Tuesday in Osogbo through its Executive Director, Mrs Tope Awe, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Awe, who was reacting to the latest suicide bombings in Madagali, Adamawa and Maiduguri, the Borno capital, said that the situation required quick action to save the girl-child.

    According to her, the challenges facing the girl-child in the Northern part of the country is enormous to the extent that any other one like the present suicide bombing can be catastrophic.

    She explained that young girls in northern Nigeria over time had battled the menace of child-marriage and illiteracy, and now had to live as potential suicide bombers.

    The rights activist advocated proper and timely orientation of the girl-child “to galvanise them against the tricks of unscrupulous elements who take advantage of their naivety and innocence.

    “The latest challenge facing the girl-child in the north eastern part of the country is worrisome and disheartening; the innocence of our girls is being destroyed.

    “What is the fate of motherhood in an environment where young girls between the ages of 10 and 12 years carry Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) to kill innocent citizens?.

    “It is high time the National Orientation Agency (NOA) swings into action and collaborate with traditional institutions in those areas to sensitise vulnerable girls.

    “Obviously, the future of any nation depends on the quality of motherhood the nation possesses. Nigeria as a nation must strive to put a quick end to female suicide bombings.”

     

  • Dankwambo’s wife, NGO give Xmas gifts to IDPs

    Dankwambo’s wife, NGO give Xmas gifts to IDPs

    Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation (ROHEF), an Abuja-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), in partnership with the Office of the Wife of Gombe State Governor, Hajiya Adama Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo has extended love to the internally-displaced persons at the IDP Camp in Durumi, Abuja.

    Mrs. Dankwambo donated food items and drinks worth hundreds of thousands to the IDPs through ROHEF.

    Hajiya Dankwambo was represented by Mrs. Fatima and some of her staff from.

    In a speech read on her behalf by Fatima, Dankwambo promised to do more for the IDPs in the area of empowerment, as some of the people said they have acquired some skills but needed the basic requirements to begin.

    She re-assured them of government’s effort to ensure their return to their respective villages and also help them rebuild their lives.

    While receiving the guests on behalf of the entire IDPs, Secretary of the Camp, Mr Dogo appreciated them for coming to their aid.

    He thanked Mrs. Dankwambo, members of ROHEF and other public-spirited Nigerians for showing so much love to the IDPs.

    Similarly, the Deputy Managing Director of Intels Nigeria Limited; a leading company in Nigeria, Alhaji Adamu Abubakar, had partnered with ROHEF to give succour to the IDPs at new Kuchingoro, in Abuja.

    Adamu also donated food items worth hundreds of thousands of Naira through ROHEF to the IDPs.

    The Kuchingoro event also featured Santa Claus that gave out gifts to the children after a dancing competition.

    Speaking on the Christmas programme, the National Coordinator of ROHEF Christybelle Sylva-John said the outreach was in the spirit of the season.

    “As we know, Christmas season is a time to celebrate and show love. This outreach was carried out in the spirit of love, oneness and to also re-assure them that despite their challenges, there are public-spirited Nigerians who are standing by them.

    “The programme also aimed at complementing government’s efforts towards making life better for the IDPs as it cannot do it alone. As you know, there are over two million IDPs in the country currently as a result of the insurgency in the Northeast.

    Hence, it’s necessary for all hands to be on deck to militate against the looming humanitarian crisis.”

    Sylva-John also called on the government to empower the IDPs as mere hand-outs have limited impact on their lives.

    His words: “Like the aphorism goes; ‘give a man fish and you will feed him, but when you teach him how to fish, he will not only feed himself but will also feed others around him,’ hence it’s important to teach them a vocation.”

    The National Coordinator noted that the IDPs needed psychological and social support, rehabilitation and integration back into the society.

    She commended the government and the military in their efforts to bring the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents to an end.

  • 32 inmates regain freedom in Kontagora

    A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Sani Bello Foundation has secured the release of 32 inmates with civil cases from the Kontagora medium Prisons in Niger State.

    The step was taken in a bid to decongest the Kontagora Medium Prisons.

    The Director General of the foundation, Mr. Zakari Ikani who was at the prison to check the level of the inmates crimes discovered that some of them with civil cases had no means of meeting with their bail terms.

    He then asked for the permission of the Foundation’s Chairman, Colonel Sani Bello (rtd) and got the approval to pay for the bail of 32 inmates.

    Speaking to the ex-convicts after their release, Ikani urged them to be law abiding in the society to avoid future reoccurrence.

    He said that the foundation would rehabilitate the inmates and train them on various skills to enable them integrate into the society.

    The DG further stated that the foundation would continue to ensure that the youths in the state are adequately reoriented to become leaders in their given profession.

    The inmates were very happy to regain their freedom and pledged to be of good behavior in order to forestall a reoccurrence.

    The Foundation also donated items like grains, beverages, toiletries, blankets, bathing soaps, serving plates to the prisons for the upkeep of the remaining inmates in the prison, 250 uniforms were sewed for the inmates.