Tag: non-governmental organisation

Hope Rising Homes Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), has donated a tricycle popularly called keke maruwa to a father of six, Mr. Peter Emmanuel.

The Nation had reported that the Foundation had donated a two-bedroom, fully furnished accommodation in Ikola Ipaja, area of Lagos State to the family last year, with the headline, ‘Foundation lifts family of eight out of poverty’. The Foundation, for over a year also provided the family with food stuffs and cash every month.

The tricycle was donated by President and Chief Executive Officer of Autobahn Technique Limited, Mr. Alban Okonkwo.

According to the President/Founder of the foundation, Titilayo Abaniwonda-Lawal, represented at the event by the Nigerian representative of the foundation, Mrs Hekmot Alakija, the gesture was in fulfilment of all promises made to the family, including monthly feeding, monthly allowance, children’s education and accommodation.

“Donating this keke maruwa to the father is our way of empowering the family,” she said.

She advised the family not to take the opportunity for granted, but to use it wisely.

“I urge the family to have an account soon and start keeping money there, so that in the next one or two years, they will be empowered to be able to continue with the accommodation we are paying on their behalf.

“At the beginning of the programme, we promised to pay the accommodation for about two or three years and having empowered them, we would stop paying for the rent, so that we can start with other projects. We cannot place our empowerment on only one family; we have to reach out to others. The keke maruwa we have provided for the family is meant to empower the father of the home to take good care of his family.

“Hope Rising Homes Foundation is a home that cares for vulnerable children, the less-privileged people and the motherless children in the society. About a year ago, we began to care for families and it is the Emmanuel’s family that we started with.

“We earlier provided them with a fully furnished accommodation because the family was homeless after their house was demolished by the state government in Elegushi area of the state.

“Even though the Foundation caters for children, the Emmanuel family stood out because we could not help the children without helping the family. After thorough search for accommodation, we were able to get the family a two-bedroom apartment and we fully furnished the house.

“We also got school for the children, who were then school dropouts. They are now schooling at St Andrew’s Primary School in Ipaja and all expenses such as school fees, uniforms, school bags, socks and note books, among others are being paid by the Foundation,” she said.

She added that the Foundation had to empower the father of the home, because the family cannot continue to rely on the foundation every month.

“We asked Mr Emmanuel what he loves to do, he told us he could drive, so we decided to get him keke maruwa and here we are with the presentation today. The Foundation is not about tribe or relations, but we are about helping the less-privileged individuals in the society. With the keke maruwa, he can make income for the family, pay his children’s school fees and their house rent without relying on the Foundation,” she said.

Responding, Mr Emmanuel said the Foundation surprised him and his family with the donation of the keke maruwa, the free fully-furnished accommodation, the children’s schooling, monthly food stuffs and salary, among others.

“What they have done for my family is unbelievable; whoever I tell about what they have done for me would follow me to my house before they believe. I appreciate them for all, more so now that they have empowered me. I can now be a man; work, feed my family and I would not rely on them forever.

“They have sowed a seed into my life and I can never forget their good deeds. God will reward them for what they have done for my family. Since we got to the apartment they gave us four months ago, we do not need to buy water, because the water here is good. The sickness that always troubles my children has been a thing of the past, my children no longer fall sick, we are all looking fresh, good, and healthy.

“They have come to help someone they do not know, they use their sweat to take care of a total stranger like me. I am grateful. I thank Mrs Abaniwonda-Lawal, because she did for me what I am yet to believe. I have no family to recue me from my problems; I thank God for the good works this Foundation has done for me. I should have gone back to the village when I had no accommodation for my family, but they came to my aid. All my children are now going to school,” he said.

His wife, Blessing, described Mrs Alakija and Mrs Abaniwonda-Lawal as angels who are Godsend.

“They came into my life, carried my battle of poverty and now I have overcome poverty. This Foundation took my problems away. God will bless them all.

“My husband, our children and I are now alright since the Foundation came into our lives. We are looking good; we are just getting lighter with our rubbing cream. We are happy, we are enjoying, our lives have changed for good and we are grateful,” she said.

No fewer than 50 women have been empowered by the Female Future Initiative (FFI), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital penultimate week.

The empowerment programme, according to the founder of the NGO, Ayinde Adepitan, was aimed at alleviating the suffering of women who she said are always at the receiving end in times of crisis. Targeted at the young women, the foundation seeks, among other things, women/girl child empowerment, basic girl child education and psychological support.

It also seeks collaboration with other governmental and non-governmental organisations; private and public bodies towards women advancement through effective training.

In a chat with Southwest Report, Adepitan stated that the idea of bringing the NGO to the grass- roots was to contribute to the development of the state and its people, noting that the initiative would be more meaningful to those who needed it.

The objective, according to her, is to ensure sustainable life among women, especially those in the rural areas. The foundation, she added, pursues its goals through employability and entrepreneurship scheme/programmes, sexual reproduction and health right (SRHR) awareness, basic education, family and psychological support, financial literacy and advocacy.

According to her, it is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that empowers women and train them to be useful to themselves and the society. The foundation works hard to disprove the impression that women’s careers only end up in the kitchen.

“We don’t want them to be dependent of men. The Female Future Initiative was established to meet the needs of women in the society”, Adepitan said.

Continuing, she said: “The NGO wants to empower the women, train them not just for training sake, because after the training, they will be empowered. The women numbering over 50, including female students who are currently being trained on batik (Kampala) making, soap making and bead making, among others have the opportunity to be admitted into a batik school where they would further train and get more knowledge on what they are doing.”

She said batik is a kind of tie and dye that could be used for cloths, bed spreads, pillows, belts, bags, and in schools for cultural day activities.

“Batik is like kampala or adire. It is like tie and dye on which you add some designs. Kampala is not as common as ankara. After some months, the NGO would sponsor some beneficiaries based on its financial capacity.

“There is also training for children between the ages of five and 10 on minor baking such as sausage or cake.

“Different sections of the female initiative include education which aims at empowering those in school, make-up section, ankara section that would empower the ladies so that they would be self-sufficient. The kitchen is not only meant for women, they can go places. We need to change the world, and the world has to change from here”, she said.

On the idea of establishing the NGO, Adepitan said as a little child she always had the passion for the helpless.

“As a child even though I didn’t have the money, I always felt for people when they were hungry; I felt their pains. So, even as a little child, I said I have to do something to change lives, I don’t have the money to empower a life but I knew I could begin in a small way. I always want to give life a meaning.

She expressed the hope that the NGO would soon be a major global player in humanitarian matters. In the next five years, she said, it would have touched many more lives. It is also expected that the trainees would be foundation members of the FFI as they would take up the task of training and impacting on lives of other women in all states of the federation.

Meanwhile, she urged government at all levels, public-spirited individuals and organisations to support initiatives that would advance women development.

“It would be of tremendous help if the government can empower women. The foundation needs funds to run the affairs of the organisation. We really need the government to help us in empowering these people”, she said.

Omotayo Olufemi, one of the trainers said the NGO would make the beneficiaries to be self-sufficient. He added that when they are empowered they would be able to contribute to the nation’s economy. He, however, urged government at all levels to support small businesses by putting in place enabling environment to ensure that businesses thrive.

“The idea is just to empower the women, we see them as catalysts to economic development, and once women are developed, the nation is on the way to economic advancement”, he said.

He expressed his happiness over the enthusiasm demonstrated by the women, which, he said, indicated their readiness to learn and do something good for themselves.

One of the beneficiaries, Mercy Emem expressed optimism that the training would help her become self-reliant, even as she said the current economic situation in the country should motivate one to be self-sufficient irrespective of one’s academic background.

Emem, a level three student in the Department of Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic said she would deploy the knowledge she gained at the training to open her own business.

She said: “As a student, I have decided to practise what I have learnt when I go back to school in order to support myself. I understand the process and I hope to continue with it. I can combine what I learnt with my academic work.”

Micbeth Empowerment Foundation (MEF), a non-profit, non-governmental organisation (NGO) is changing lives of students in Ayede-Ekiti in Ekiti State with its annual inter-school debate competition. Students who excelled at the maiden edition last year bagged scholarship while this year’s debate lived up to its billing.

There was excitement in Ayede-Ekiti, a town located in Oye Local Government Area of Ekiti State. Micbeth Empowerment Foundation (MEF), a non-governmental organisation, staged its second inter-school debate.

The competition, which took place at the modern hall of St. Peter’s Anglican Church, was between two secondary schools, Ayede Grammar School and Government Science College.

The debate, which made its debut last year, was organised by MEF to promote understanding of English language in secondary schools.

Debate is seen as a weapon to improve the knowledge of students in English language since it remains the language of instruction in public schools while books used by students are also written in English.

The Foundation, which has Otunba Dipo Daramola as President, also hopes to promote hard work, fair play and community service while laying a solid foundation for the future of the students that can only be made possible through quality education.

Students who performed brilliantly at last year’s debate were awarded scholarships and they were presented at this year’s competition to motivate other students.

The Chairman/Chief Executive of MicCom Group, Prince Tunde Ponnle, who was present at the maiden Ayede interschool debate, also attended this year’s edition. Also on hand to witness the show was the Anglican Archdeacon in charge of Ayede Archdeaconry, the Venerable Sam Aranuwa.

As early as 11: 00 a.m., the hall had been filled to capacity by students of the two schools, their teachers, educationists, parents, senior citizens and other indigenes of the town.

In her welcome address, the Micbeth Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mrs Yetunde Daramola, said the target of the project was to ensure a brighter future for students of Ayede.

She further explained that MEF aims at establishing programmes that would raise the value placed on education in the community and also promote community service among the youth.

Mrs. Daramola expressed delight that four students in the two secondary schools in Ayede are on full scholarship courtesy of the Foundation.

She revealed that two students of Ayede Grammar School who were victorious at last year’s debate were rewarded with medals and N25, 000 to assist them to pay their education bills.

Their teachers, who served as their mentors, were also presented with cash while the winning school received a trophy and donation of library materials worth N100, 000, Junior Encyclopaedia and a standing fan.

Mrs. Daramola explained that MEF funded the awards 100 per cent last year while friends are being reached out for their support to fund school projects.

She said: “Today, we gather here at the invitation of MEF to witness the second edition of the debate competition between two secondary schools in Ayede Ekiti.

“Prior to today, internal selection process had been conducted in both schools and the teams are made up of two students and two teachers who mentored them.

“All contributors to the school projects will be treated as joint partners and will get full account of how their contributions are expended.

“Total amount available shall be expended for the two schools at the ratio of 1:3 for consolation and winning school respectively.

“At this point, MEF would like to indicate that as a follow-up to consultation with other stakeholders in the Ayede community, there will be a slight change in the process next year.

“We will be deciding next year’s topic at this event while schools will be encouraged to form teams of two students with two teachers as mentors with all the current SS1 students.

“A team of two teachers may mentor multiple teams of students; the list to be submitted ahead to organisers by January 31, 2018.

“The team representing the schools will be drawn on the day of the event. This is designed to give each student equal opportunity.”

Mrs. Daramola expressed gratitude to some individuals and organisations for their contributions to the success of the Ayede inter-school debate.

Those who contributed to the success of the inter-school debate included the Ekiti State government, for sending representatives to the competition; the Attah of Ayede, Oba Mumini Adebayo Orisagbemi; members of the MEF Board of Trustees, for their constant advice and support.

Others are MEF Executive Secretary, Mr. Adebayo Ogunlola; International Breweries Plc, for its continued support.

In a chat with our reporter on the essence of the programme, Mrs. Daramola said: “If we train our children and invest more in their education, this country shall be great.

“We can help our children in various ways; it is not only in money but in efforts, love and care for them. If we want positive change in our country, we need to show love to the younger generations and assist them to fulfil their dreams.”

Before the debate began, four students who performed well at the maiden edition last year and bagged scholarship awards were introduced to the audience amid loud ovation.

They are Olajide Samuel and Yaya Pelumi, both of Government Science School and Adubiaro Deborah and Komolafe Adeola, both of Ayede Grammar School.

Serving as judges at the debate are Prof. Wale Olajide of the Department of Philosophy, Ekiti State University (EKSU) and Dr. Lara Owoeye of the Department of Linguistics of the same university. Mr. Kunle Ibitoye served as the timekeeper.

In his remarks before the debate began, Olajide praised the foundation for the project and commended the philanthropic spirit of Mrs Daramola.

He said: “This project is praiseworthy; we have somebody (Otunba Daramola) who grew up in this community and now spending his resources to ensure bright future for our future generation.

“I want you participants and beneficiaries of this programme to count yourself lucky because statistics show that 45 million Nigerians are illiterate.”

Olajide, however, reeled off guidelines for participation and indices that will attract marks for debaters which included language, expression, diction; understanding of the topic, the logic and arrangement of argument, presentation of materials, appearance and composure.

Government Science College argued in favour of the topic of the debate which was “Boarding System is Better than Day System” while Ayede Grammar School argued against the topic.”

Ayede Grammar School was represented by Oni Temitope and Owolabi Adeleke while Samuel Oreofe and Akeredolu Patricia represented Government Science College.

The competitors exhibited their dexterity and understanding of the topic and were applauded by the audience.

Announcing the result, Olajide described the debate as keenly contested with both sides doing very well but quipped that one side must go home with the trophy.

Ayede Grammar School scored 77 points to emerge the winner, while Government Science College scored 60 points to place second.

The announcement of the result elicited massive jubilation from students of Ayede Grammar School and teachers.

The two representatives of the runner-up, received N10, 000 and a medal each for their effort while the two flag bearers of the winning school received N25,000 and a medal each and the giant trophy.

The topic for next year’s debate was also decided at the event. It is: “Should Schools Be Allowed to Use Corporal Punishment?”

Definitely, students and teachers in Ayede community will be looking forward to the 3rd Micbeth Empowerment Foundation Secondary School Debate next year.*The champions Owolabi Adeleke and Oni Temitope and their teachers with the trophy.

 

A non-partisan, non-governmental organisation (NGO) known as the League of Anambra Professionals in Lagos (LAP) has said Nigeria will be better if all citizens embrace the spirit of unity which is necessary towards achieving the much-needed socio-economic and political greatness.

The founding President of the association, Mr Ndi Onuekwusi stated this during the inauguration of the newly elected Central Executive Council at its Surulere, Lagos State secretariat. He also said every Nigerian, especially those indigenous to Anambra State, should be committed towards rebuilding the society through the harnessing of her rich intellectual and material resources.

The executives inaugurated at the occasion included the President, Mr. Chijioke Okoli (SAN); Vice-President, Chief Elizabeth Jibunoh; General Secretary, Mr. Ben Okafor; Assistant General Secretary, Mr. Joe Nwokedi, a lawyer and Financial Secretary, Mr. Magnus Ekwunife.

Others were Publicity Secretary, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, a lawyer; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kasie Abone; Treasurer, Ms. Stella Ozojiofor and Assistant Treasurer, Nkiru Ifekwem.

Ex-officio members are Mr. Willie Nzewi, Mr. Chike Nwegbe and Mr Katia Ekesi. They all are past presidents of the organisation.

Sir Nnamdi Nwigwe, Mr. Joe Anatune, Mr. K. O. P. Odidika and Mr. Obidi Alajuronye were co-opted into the executive by the President.

Performing the swearing-in ceremony, the founding President of the association, Mr Onuekwusi urged them to live up to the spirit of the organisation which is to rebuild Igbo land and help in the economic and social growth of their host state for the benefit of future generations.

Not to rebuild the society for its future generation, he added, would amount to an act of gross irresponsibility. “There will be no future without a functional Igbo land and Nigeria as a whole”, he added.

Speaking further Onuekwusi said: “We have come back to run the race we began. There may be some hiccups but we will keep on. The organisation is blessed with people who are intellectually sound. I believe that Okoli will succeed,” he said.

Continuing he said: “What is most critical is to understand the spirit of the organisation which is sacrifice.”

Onuekwusi, who reposed high confidence in Mr. Okoli’s leadership ability, said the task before him and his team requires a combination of strength of mind and character to succeed. He advised him not to be distracted but to deploy his enormous experience towards achieving the desired goals.

Earlier in his speech, the immediate past president, Mr. Nzewi described the seamless transition of power from his executive to Okoli’s team as ‘joyous’. Praising Onuekwusi for his contributions, Nzewi said looking at the organisation’s journey so far, it was clear it was divinely ordained as a platform to achieve the desired change not only in Igbo land but also in Lagos and Nigeria in general.

“There is something divine about LAP. Despite its challenges, it waxed stronger. It is very strong in the minds of the people. It has evolved over time,” he said.

Advising the executives, Nzewi urged them to bear in mind that serving people is a thankless job. “Thank you is from the Almighty.”

In his acceptance speech, Okoli said: “There is huge enthusiasm about what we can achieve. What is involved to achieve the objectives of the organisation is tremendous. It is because we are busy in our world that charlatans have taken us to where we find ourselves today. I hope to deploy my intellect to the running of the organisation.”

He implored his team to reinvent themselves in terms of the vision of the organisation to provide leadership as well show the light to society.

Speaking further he said: “Igbo society is in an existential threat. No society can sustain itself in a situation like this.”

Admitting that the task ahead is enormous, Okoli expressed confidence that with single mindedness, his team would surely succeed.

“The task ahead is difficult but if we succeed in moving the organisation to the next level, we will look back and be happy with ourselves. I believe with single mindedness, the sky will be our footstool. We won’t fail. In the unlikely event that we fail, it would not be for lack of trial,” he said.