September 8, 2024

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General News

Protest: NGO urges youths to embrace dialogue

Dr Babatunde Kayode, Executive Director, Restore Hope for the Boy Child Initiative, during a news briefing in Abuja.

 

By Eneh Awodi/ Princess Alabi

Restore Hope for the Boy Child Initiative, an NGO, has called on Nigerian youths to embrace dialogue and reconsider participating in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for Aug. 1 to Aug.10.

Dr Babatunde Kayode, Executive Director of the organisation, made the call while briefing newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.

Kayode warned that youths’ participation in the protest might not only lead to chaos, but possibly jeopardise their future and lead to other consequences that could spell disaster for the nation.

“We understand the frustrations and anger among our youths, especially the boy child who might feel neglected and marginalised by the system.

“We, however, cannot allow our grievances to be hijacked by violence and destruction.

“Our young ones must reconsider participating in the protests, which we fear may put their safety and future, at risk, as we can see in the devastating unrest in Libya, Rwanda and Kenya.

“We cannot afford to let our emotions get the better of us; we must find a way to express our grievances without putting our lives and livelihoods at risk.”

Kayode also urged government to take concrete steps to address the economic hardship, while urging them to take immediate steps to foil any attempt to disrupt peace in the country and promote development in the process.

“They must engage the youth in skill promotion and entrepreneurship, cut corruption, reduce bloated governance, promote local products, lead with integrity, and create jobs for a better future.

“The government should invite the organisers of the protest or their leaders and those concerned for a positive dialogue.

“This will give room for the youth to speak their minds on the major issues as well as give room for government to provide solutions to the challenges.”

He further urged young people to rather, explore alternative and constructive channels to express their concerns and grievances, instead of allow unhealthy manipulations from negative quarters.

Also speaking, Mrs Mariam Gbadebo, Executive Director of MAG Foundation, another NGO, advocated for a peaceful and strategic demonstration that could achieve positive goals without causing destruction.

“Protests can be exploited and lead to chaos, abuse, and loss of lives, we need peaceful and strategic demonstrations that will promote progress and not cause destruction or regrets.

“Let’s rethink critically about our approach and ensure we are achieving our goals without causing any harm whatsoever,” she said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

L-R: Head of Laboratory Unit, Wuse District Hospital Abuja, Mr Okafor Anayo; Blood Bank Manager, Wuse District Hospital Abuja, Ms Ijeoma Irouno and the Chairman, De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola, during the association visit to hospitals to commemorate 2024 World Blood Donor Day in Abuja on Friday.
General News

NGO urges Nigerians to donate blood to save lives

By Sarafina Christopher

De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), a humanitarian organisation, has urged Nigerians to donate blood in order to save lives.

The Chairman, DNKI, Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola, made this call on Friday at the Wuse District Hospital, Abuja, during the organisation’s visit to hospitals to commemorate 2024 World Blood Donor Day.

According to Otepola, blood is God given; hence the need to reach out to others who do not have; who cannot pay and donate freely from what God has freely given.

He said that blood donation was what the organisation did on a yearly basis.

“This time, we chose Wuse hospital because we looked around; we have been to Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi, Abuja six times; we have been to Maitama and Gwarinpa.

“So, we decided to go somewhere new this time; we decided to go to where our impacts will be further felt; where we have not gone before,” he said.

He advised that Nigerians should make use of the opportunity to turn out and donate blood to save lives and help humanity.

In his response, Dr Oluseyi Asaolu, Medical Director, Wuse District Hospital, said that blood was life and the act of donating it reduced the rate of death.

“Blood is very crucial to human life; everybody needs blood; when you make that intervention to donate blood, it becomes a saving moment for someone in need.

“It is a beautiful initiative when the world does a blood donation day; we are happy that this has been sustained even up till now.

“There is a need to donate blood; there is nothing you are doing with the blood just storing it there and the good thing is that if you donate blood, the body has a way of replenishing it, so it is a win-win for everybody.

“We really want to appreciate DNKI that considered Wuse District Hospital, for bringing people to donate and support what we are doing here,’’ he said.

Asaolu said that Wuse District Hospital had one of the best blood donation and blood transfusion services.

He said that the hospital maintained the services and screened blood properly before administering to the patient.

Mr Ogbobe Mathew, a member DNKI, said rendering humanitarian services to people in need was the organisation’s culture and what it did every year.

“When the organisation came up with the blood donation thing, we discussed it knowing that giving our blood will save lives

“You never can tell whose life the blood is going to be safe.

“We tend to render humanitarian service like helping people in need in order to make the society a better place,” he said.(NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Hajiya Hadiza Umar, donating food and cash items to a beneficiary
General News

FCT residents laud NGO for food items, cash donation

By Sylvester Thompson

Residents of Nyanya community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have commended the Hajiya Hadiza Foundation for giving them food items, clothes and cash, for the Eid El–kabir celebration.

One of the beneficiaries, Mrs Comfort Ibiang, a widow, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja, said she was surprised at the gifts she received from the foundation.

“I am surprised for a woman to do what she is doing. You can see we are all happy.

“We are widows and less privileged and for her to come to our aid, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, I am so grateful,” Ibiang said.

Ibiang, who appreciated the efforts of the founder of the foundation, called on the government and stakeholders to also assist them.

Mr Iyke Vincent, another beneficiary, said he was highly impressed and excited by the opportunity the occasion offered him and other less privileged people of the community.

“I never knew something like this can come up at a time like this considering the economic challenges of the nation and the situation of things.

“People are really hungry and for somebody to come at a time like this and alleviate our burden, no matter how little, is commendable.

“People in the Nyanya community are truly happy and we are celebrating her from the depths of our hearts,” Vincent said.

Earlier, Amb. Hajiya Hadiza Umar, the founder of the NGO, told NAN that giving back to the society was what gave her joy.

“Today is one of my happiest days because it’s what I love to do to put smiles on people’s faces,” she said.

She explained that her foundation was non-profit, committed to making a positive impact and to inspire hope for all Nigeria widows, orphans, less privileged and vulnerable people.

She said her vision was to create a society where women were empowered, children educated and persons with disabilities valued and everyone having equal opportunities to thrive.

Hadiza said that the funding of her project was purely from her purse as a business woman, with no international sponsorship or donations.

On his part, Mr James Thomas, Chairman of Karu Local Government Area, said he was proud to offer support to the foundation with laudable objectives.

He said the foundation did well considering the reality of things, where people found it difficult to feed.

“The beneficiaries today shall never forget how the foundation has impacted their lives,” he said.

The Chairman said he was happy that the people expressed joy and delight. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Abiemwense Moru

Health

NGO calls for collaboration to address menstrual hygiene management

By Safia Abdulrahman
A Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), Wonder Woman, has called for increased collaboration by stakeholders to address menstrual hygiene issues among secondary school students in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The group’s Vice President, Anne Dirkling, made the call during sensitisation workshop at the Federal Government Girls’ College Bwari, FCT, on Monday.

She said it is normal to sensitise young girls to understand menstrual health hygiene and to normalise as a natural growth pattern for the female.

She acknowledged the struggles of girls and women in Nigeria who faced period stigma in society, which is why the NGO came up with the sensitisation workshop.

She added that the project in support of the French Embassy in Nigeria provided a platform for girls to learn about puberty and adolescence in a safe, open environment.

“We have containers across the town for people to drop plastic waste, and in exchange, we distribute reusable sanitary pads and soaps,” she said.

According to her, plastic is not used to make pads but to gather, sell to bottle recycling companies, and use the funds to purchase menstrual hygiene kits for vulnerable girls and women in society.

“The Plastic Pads Project is conducted in partnership with other parts and Bwari Area Council by placing containers around town to collect recyclable waste.

“The proceeds are used to provide sanitary hygiene kits, reusable pads, and soap to girls in the community,” Dirkling said.

She emphasised the importance of normalising menstruation where girls could openly discuss and understand menstrual health, noting that “this would be possible by encouraging conversations and providing necessary products.

“The initiative aims to empower girls, reduce school absenteeism, and ensure they remain confident and focused on their education.”

The NGO Programme manager, Mr Kumbet Longdi, said the aim of the workshop is
to inspire girls to take action for a period-friendly environment, thereby encouraging them to gather plastic waste in exchange for sanitary pads.

One of the students, Blessing Efeoghene, who came overall best in the questions and answers session, commended the NGO for the initiative, saying “we will ensure that more plastic waste are gathered
and deposited in the container given to us by the NGO.”

Thr News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that during the programme, a container was launched at the school, and 170 menstrual hygiene kits were distributed to the students.

The group explored various aspects of menstruation, societal perceptions, and the importance of menstrual health and hygiene through educative sessions and games with the students.

NAN reports that menstruation, or period, is normal vaginal bleeding that occurs as part of a woman’s monthly cycle, indicating the absence of pregnancy. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

From left: Chairman, De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola; International President of DNKI, Chief Chidi Anokwu; Convener/Director of Northern Liaison, DNKI, Comrade Jegede Femi-Daniels; and the Chairman, National Advisory Council of DNKI, Mr Oliver Ityobegh, during the DNKI’s Northern Directorate 2024 Children’s Day celebration at Government Secondary School (GSS) Kantoma in Suleja, Niger State on Monday
Education

Children’s Day: NGO tasks government on increased investment in education

By Sarafina Christopher

De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), an international humanitarian organisation, has urged government at all levels to invest more in education in order to groom children to become responsible citizens.

Chidi Anokwu, International President, DNKI, made this advocacy at the Northern Directorate 2024 Children’s Day celebration held at the Government Secondary School (GSS), Kantoma in Suleja, Niger.

According to him, the future of a nation depends on the type of training its children receive.

“Children are the future of tomorrow; without the children, we have no hope; without the children, there is no future for this nation; the children are our hope and they are very important to us.

“Government should do more on education; Nigeria as a country is lacking behind and we should actually improve our facilities and education funding.

“We are not there yet; we need to do more,”Anokwu said.

On his part, Oliver Ityobegh, Chairman, National Advisory Council (NAC), DNKI, said that the major objectives of the organisation were to render service to humanity and raise men and women of honour.

He said that in the area of the children, the organisation worldwide provided scholarship, textbooks and amenities in schools in all its branches globally.

“It is important that we provide easy way for the children to learn and encourage parents to send their children to school.

“Let us set good examples and encourage our young ones to look up to us and see that it pays to serve.

“We want them to grow up and become responsible citizens to the country and to their families,” he said.

Ityobegh also appealed to government to make education accessible and attainable for all.

The Chairman, DNKI, Abuja Chapter, Mr Kolawole Otepola, said that the Northern part of Nigeria was classified as an educational disadvantage area; hence, the need to give back to the society to nurture children into responsible adults.

“We still have other programmes for the north; like the security agencies, we have plans for them; it is not just on education alone,” he said.

Otepola said DNKI would in December, organise a programme to give patrol vehicles to Nigerian Police to boost security in the north.

Convener/Director, Northern Liaison, DNKI, Jegede Femi-Daniels, said the organisation aimed to eradicate high rate of illiteracy in the north.

DNKI is an NGO that conducts humanitarian services with the aim of giving back the society. (NAN)(www.nannews.com.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

General News

Boys particularly vulnerable, insecure during violent conflicts — NGO

By Martha Agas

An NGO, Restore Hope for the Boy-Child Initiative, has said that boys are particularly vulnerable and subjected to torture during violent conflicts and other insecurity situations.

The Executive Director of the organisation, Dr Babatunde Kayode, said this at a news conference on Thursday in Abuja to mark the International Day of the Boy-Child.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the day is celebrated annually on May 16 to advocate for the well-being of the boy-child, and the need to feel happy, healthy and valued in families and communities.

The observance day was founded by Dr Jerome Teelucksingh, a university lecturer from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to highlight the unique challenges and pressure faced by boys.

The 2024 theme of the international day is “Boys Health and Well-Being.”

The NGO director, who said that boys also face sexual abuse, added that such incidences were hardly reported because of the pressure on the boy-child to show masculinity.

Kayode said “societal expectations of male strength and emotional resilience often result in a culture of silence among male children, even in the face of danger.

“The suppressed pain can lead to psychological problems and trauma.”

He noted that the growing incidence of single parenthood had also created a void in mentorship and positive role models for boys.

According to him, boys from a young age carry the burden of being providers, shaping their choices and often diverting them from pursuing their passions to meet financial expectations from family and society.

He said that the situation could lead to rise in toxic masculinity, mental and physical challenges, ritual killings and involvement of boys in internet fraud and violent conflicts.

An awareness walk organised by the Restore Hope for the Boy-Child Initiative, to mark the On Day of the boy-child on Thursday in Abuja.

He added that the situation could also lead to an alarming rate of school dropouts and drug abuse among boys.

He said a study had found that teachers had observed low attention spans and declining educational performance among primary and secondary school-age boys.

He said that addressing the situation required concerted efforts from critical stakeholders, noting that “addressing these issues require collective efforts of parents, schools, society, government and private individuals to find holistic solution.”

Kayode, who pointed out that issues of the girl-child were given more attention, added that

bringing boy-child issues to the fore would lead to a healthy society.

“Our mission is to bring to the fore, the emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing of male children, just like the girls,” he said.

He explained that the NGO’s activities aligned with the Child Rights Act and would involve conducting needs assessments to identify the most pressing requirements of the boy-child.

The organisation conducted an advocacy walk around Garki in Abuja to create awareness for  the boy- child.

Destiny Tada, a student who spoke on behalf of the boy-child, said he is happy about the renewed attention to boys through the celebration of  the day, and expressed hope for a better future.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

From left (sitting): Head of School, I-Scholars International Academy Gwarinpa, Hajiya Jalilah Balogun-Biniyo; Chief Executive Officer, DUMENA Education/Convener of Classrooms of the Future, Mr Kingsley Ezejiaku; Business Manager, Microsoft Azure, Mr Chuks Okpaka and other participants during the DUMENA Education workshop on ‘Classrooms of the Future with the theme: Global Trend in Tech Education’, in Abuja on Tuesday
Education

NGO seeks introduction of digital literacy into school curriculum

By Aderogba George

Mr Kingsley Ezejiaku, Chief Executive Officer, Dumena Education, has urged school owners to introduce and integrate digital literacy courses into their school curricula to enable children to learn technology with ease.

Ezejiaku made this advocacy on Tuesday in Abuja at the Classroom of the Future Workshop, with the theme “Global Trend in Tech Education.”

The workshop was organised by Dumena Education.

Digital literacy is an individual’s ability to find, evaluate, and communicate information using typing or digital media platforms.

Ezejiaku said that Dumena Education is a platform that creates concepts to make it easy for children in primary and secondary schools to learn technology.

“I think it is time we begin to have digital literacy in our curriculum in both primary and secondary schools.

So, this workshop is designed to show schools how they will be able to integrate technology and digital literacy into their curriculum.’’

According to him, children learning mathematics, English and Physics can also learn how to build websites, programmes and robotics from their classroom.

Ezejiaku said that digital literacy helped children learn to build things at a very young age and provide digital solutions to problems that were peculiar to the people.

He said the initiative was aligned the “National Digital Literacy Framework” that was unveiled by National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) in July, 2023.

He said that organisation’s goal was to see that children were learning how to build websites as part of their programmess.

He said that the workshop would be replicated across the 36 states of the nation and FCT.

“I think the government needs to identify organisations like ours who are already aligning with their policies and provide support to organisations that are on ground to implement government policies and directions,” he said.

On her part, Mrs Ngozi Amanfo, Head of School, Oaks and Acorns Montessori School, Abuja, said the programme was a good one because it enabled teachers to follow up with what the children were studying about technology in schools and at home.

“In the world that we are in, it is difficult to follow up with what the children are doing in their ICT, robotics classes, coding classes.

“So with the programme, I think it will be really interesting to follow through with the children both at home and in school,’’ she said.

She further expressed that the programme would help build the children to create technology innovations that could be used to solve problems in future.

Director of Bankys Private School, Olusola Bankole, said this programme was a very fascinating one; coming from Nigeria and structured to help children dive into digital literacy (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo

Dr Segun Adebayo, Director of Operations, CEFSAR
Agriculture

Group insists on thorough stakeholders’ engagement on GMOs safety

By Chijioke Okoronkwo

The Centre for Food Safety and Agricultural Research (CEFSAR), an NGO, says there is need for a thorough stakeholders’ engagement on the safety of genetically engineered crops, categorised as Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs).

Dr Segun Adebayo, Director of Operations, CEFSAR, made this advocacy on Thursday in Abuja, at a news conference.

Adebayo said such ‘no holds barred’ engagement would create a balance of knowledge and give people the opportunity to choose what they consumed.

He said that CEFSAR was not representing or marketing any product but concerned about the health of Nigerians.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that Dr Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, had at a recent forum, said that biotechnology solutions would be guided by scientific evidence, ethical deployment, safe application and freedom of choice.

Adebayo, however, argued that rising cases of childhood cancer, juvenile diabetes, autism and developmental delays among children must be interrogated.

“What are the issues with GMOs? Why must we be very careful with it?

“First, it is unnatural; it is not organic; it has been tampered with genetically.

“If new instructions have been inputted into these GMOs, the first question is who wrote the new instructions and what are the new instructions? Hereditary traits and co are traits that pass through our genes.

“The marketers of GMOs, the seed sellers are the ones that wrote the instructions,” he said.

Adeabyo further said that it was instructive to note that most GMOs seeds were sterile and could not be replanted.

According to him, the sellers of GMOs may give stringent conditions before subsequent release or supply of seeds which will lead to loss of food sovereignty.

“You plant these GMOs into the ground; it has produced corn; they can say that for the first generation, the yield will produce; then by second generation, you have nothing.

“They can say, if you plant this, you are getting nothing; so you must always come back to us to get your seeds; imagine a food system that is dependent on buying seeds from the seed sellers 100 per cent?

“So, the country looks towards the neo-colonialists and buys seeds from them; by so doing, we are setting ourselves up for something we know little about.

“What if the seed seller says there is no seed? What if the seed sellers say there is a law we want you to pass in your country? If you don’t pass that law, we will deny you seeds.’’

Adebayo listed two heavy agro-chemicals contained in GMOs for pests and weed control as glyphosate and atrazine.

According to him, glyphosate is one the world’s leading causes of cancer.

“You apply glyphosate to your farms; the weeds die; the GMOs have been modified so that the chemicals will not kill them; your maize, as vascular plants, will start sucking in glyphosate and you consume the corn and take in heavy agro-chemicals.

“The second dangerous chemical is atrazine, a pesticide. It a major chemical used in feminising males; it stimulates the production of progesterone and estrogen which are female hormones.

“Every cell in the human body grows; this time around it keeps growing and that is how cancer works.’’

The CEFSAR director of operations said there was a nexus between food security and national security.

He said there was need to query what informed to decision and choice of places attacked by bandits and why there were major farming regions and key food belts.

“Solve the problems that stop farmers from going to farm and our food security problem will be over; not through GMOs,’’ he said.

Adeabyo said that anything that affected food affected humanity.

According to him, there is need to educate the farmers, citizens, policy makers, among others who may have taken some decisions out of ignorance.

On his part, Amb. Chris Iyama, Executive Director, Centre for Youth Participation, Dialogue and Advocacy Africa (CYPA), said the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, NAFDAC, National Biosafety Management Agency and lawmakers must have an all-encompassing engagement on GMOs.

He said there was need for a proper public hearing to interrogate the issues.

Iyama said there would be a major rally on the streets of Abuja on May 6, to sensitise Nigerians on the dangers of GMOs. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Emmanuel Afonne

Dr Christopher Nwanoro, an Activist for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs)
Health

Nwanoro seeks free healthcare, assistive devices for PWDs

By Lucy Ogalue

Dr Christopher Nwanoro, an Activist for Persons Living with Disabilities (PLWDs), has appealed to the government to provide free healthcare and assistive devices to Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) to enable them to live normal lives.

Nwanoro, the President of National Disability Empowerment Forum (NADEF), a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), made the call when he appeared on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Forum in Abuja.

According to him, PWDs should be able to access free health insurance and education scholarships up to the university level, as many of them still need jobs.

He stressed the need to include PWDs in the affairs of the government to ensure inclusiveness to ensure they do not feel left out.

Nwanoro also appealed to organisations, communities and well-meaning Nigerians to help PWDs with assistive devices to enable them to live independent lives.

He added that to leverage on technology, there are gadgets that can help challenged persons manoeuvre their ways and attend to their needs with less stress.”

He encouraged PWDs to embrace a lifestyle of high self-esteem because they are humans too.

“We have so much to offer towards the development of the nation.

“Being blind does not stop the brain from working; having challenges with hands or legs cannot stop the brain from working and hearing impairment does not make one incapacitated.

“For a person like me, I passed through stress, thorns and thistles before I was able to get educated and become what I am today.

“So for others, they are not supposed to pass through the same rough way that I passed; government should provide for them,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

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Edited by Hadiza Mohammed-Aliyu

General News

Easter: NGO empowers 1,500 persons with disabilities in Abuja

By Rhoda Ojo

The Sir David Osunde Foundation, an NGO, has provided empowerment to over 1,500 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Abuja, aimed at mitigating the impacts of current economic challenges.

Mr Ikem Uchegbulam, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the foundation, made this announcement in Abuja, ahead of the 32nd special Easter Monday National Celebration, organised to honor PWDs.

Uchegbulam said that the beneficiaries were carefully selected from diverse regions across the country, without regard to their religious, ethnic, or social backgrounds, with the objective of enhancing their overall well-being.

He emphasised the profound struggles faced by many PWDs due to economic hardships, political instability, and security threats.

According to him, some even struggling to afford a single meal per day, feeling marginalised and neglected.

Uchegbulam outlined a range of support provided, including mobility aids such as wheelchairs, crutches, and assistive devices, as well as economic empowerment resources like sewing and grinding machines, tailored to meet the specific needs of each individual.

He said that the upcoming Easter celebration would serve as a platform for PWDs to showcase their talents across various fields, exhibiting handmade goods and products to guests.

He added that a special prayer session will be held during the celebration, focusing on advocating for peace and progress within the nation.

The Sir David Osunde Foundation’s commitment to empowering PWDs underscores its dedication to fostering inclusivity and resilience within the community. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

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