Revival, restoration for worshippers at the SCOAN's mountain

A Three-day spiritual revival for Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) members ended at the weekend with crowd of members across Nigeria converging at its Prayer Mountain located at Agodo, Egbe Ikotun in Lagos.

According to a release, though meant primarily for Nigerian audience, crowd of foreign visitors still besieged the Mountain in somber penitence of faith and high expectations.

The intensive program which also ran through the nights was of marathon prayers and fasting as directed by the Holy Spirit for those who have the grace to participate.

For the three days, the SCOAN Prayer Mountain was turned into a "Wailing Wall" reminiscence of the "Waling Wall" in Jerusalem where faithful adherents pay 24/7 to God. 

Thousands of worshippers in enthusiasm, ecstasy, walking, crying, rolling, and moving around in different ways of the spiritual resort as conducive for individual's ability to pour out their hearts and supplications to God in a serene, cool, composed, calm and collected atmospheric conditions where nature and the spirit of man comingle. 

SCOAN's leader, Pastor Evelyn Joshua in welcoming and congratulating the participants stated tersely: "we are not in this Mountain on our own, we are here today and for the three days at God's command for our revival. Heaven is aware that you are here and because the heaven is aware of your presence, your case is settled. This is the day the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it. His word says 'come' and you have come. We are therefore here to fulfill all righteousness, it's done"! 

The program was not without moments of singing and dancing daily to praise, thank and glorify the name of the Lord. Several people also received deliverance, healing with outstanding testimonies. 

The event also witnessed an enduring biblical interactive rigorius teaching with the theme: OBEDIENCE TO GOD in which the biblical prophet Jonah was thoroughly dissected for worshippers to learn that God's will is adamantine;  you must unconditionally be obedience to God's instructions because you cannot hide from Him. 

The revival which also brings restoration was a huge success as people joyously in high spirits filed out of the Mountain singing and praising 'God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob and God of TB Joshua in Jesus name for His great and marvelous deeds in their lives. 

Undoubtedly the revival has rejuvenated and invigorated the SCOAN's spiritual slogan, 'Emmanuel': God is really with them as the church is waxing stronger with the demonstrations of God's practical raw powers on the Mountain.

 

Easter Message: Let’s be our brother’s keeper, eschew violence---Honourable Umenzekwe …Consoles the military, Nigerians over Okuama killings

Hon (Chief) Modestus Umenzekwe, Patron, Catholic Women’s Organization (CWO) Awka and Ekwulobia dioceses; Fmr Vice Chairman, St. Joseph’s Parish Council, Pioneer Chairman, Parish Development Committee of the same church and a staunch member of Catholic Men’s Organization (CMO), in his Easter Message, has called on Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper, eschew violence and killings; he also consoled the military and Nigerians over Okuama killings in Delta State. Excerpt:

How do you think Nigerians can apply the teachings of Easter in their daily lives and as a nation?

Easter period, or call it Easter or lenting season, is a period Christians all over the world, remember the sufferings of our lord, Jesus Christ, who willingly accepted death on the Cross to liberate mankind. It is a special period when we seek in a special way the face of God by appealing to him through penance to make sure our various sins are obliterated so that our reunion with God almighty would be perfect.

It is also a period of forgiveness because he who goes to equity must go with clean hands; it is also a period of alms giving, because as you help the needy, the needy will pray for you, as you give out, God equally remembers you. You see that word, ‘God bless you’, every human being should find a genuine way of attracting that word from a fellow human being, not when you kill to make money, or do odd things, you expect that, no, it must be very genuine. So when you give out to the needy especially to the downtrodden, they would tell you God bless you. It is just like in the Catholic Church, the dismissal blessings after mass is very significant, the same thing when somebody dies, in Catholic Church and burial mass is being celebrated, the most important part of that burial mass is, they call it liberation prayer for the dead, it comes almost at the end of the mass when the dead is prayed for especially for his total sin while on earth to be blotted out by God almighty. So Easter period is the most significant period in the Christendom and nobody should joke with it.

Narrowing it down to Nigeria as you asked, my advice or message to Nigerians both Christians and Moslems alike, good a thing, the Moslems are equally doing penance this period, let us be our brother’s keeper, let us eschew all these killings, let us seek the face of God, let us reunite as one country under one God. And above all, let us support and pray for our leaders, more especially, the President of this country and his team who are facing serious challenges trying to reposition the country.

This is not a period to be attacking them, saying all sorts of things, this is a special period to pray for Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and his team and indeed all the leaders, for God to give them the special wisdom, understanding and what it takes to reposition this country for the good of all Nigerians. Going further we should use this period to pray for all the diseased members of our families because in the grave there is no power, it is the living that can talk to God to repose the soul of the dead and more especially the 17 slain military heroes at Okuama Community in Delta State.  I want to thank the President, for being physically present at the National Cemetery, Abuja, I watched it on television, it was heartbreaking, and I want to thank the military authority for acting within the rule of their engagement despite the fact that they were badly wounded, the will of God must prevail.

You can see Nigerians are commending the President for the posthumous honour and for the palliatives, so to say, he has read out to be given to the families: housing and all that. What touched me most is that they are giving scholarship even to the ones in the womb; that shows that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a seasoned, trained and trusted leader. So I console the military and the entire Nigerians, and I pray for the repose of the souls of those gallant soldiers.

Your Easter message to Anambra State, your state, especially your Governor, Professor Charles Soludo

Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo is my Governor and I respect him so much. I want to wish him well. I wish him to do more, he has just celebrated two years in office, but then in wishing him well, I want to passionately appeal to him, as a serious stakeholder in Nigeria in nation-building and in my town, Achina Community, to please, no matter the situation, no matter what it takes, to come to our aid. He has started the road, but to complete it, now that the rain is already at our door step.

By the road I mean Achina-Onneh-Agbudu-Ogboji-Orumba Road. There is a place we call Ugwunganga at Achina; that hill has in the past taken about three lives.

If the road is not done before rainy season sets in, I am telling you my community will be cut off. It will go back to the time I used to say that I can't get to my house unless I use caterpillar as my private vehicle. So while wishing him well, while wishing him success, while thanking him for all he has done, I want to appeal to him to please remember my community, Achina in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. He has started the job, let him finish it before the rainy season, if he does that, God will continue to bless him. Remember my word ‘God bless you’ try to attract it to yourself by doing something good.

Your Easter message to Nigerians

Yes, I think I have touched it at the beginning of this interview. My Easter message, first of all, let us glorify God for giving us a country like Nigeria, let us not run it down for whatever reason, maybe in the course of our political struggle, one way or the other; we go outside there and keep running the country down, wherever you are, you are talking bad about the country and you are a Nigerian. Then how do you intend to participate in rebuilding it if it is damaged? Let us channel our criticisms to the particular individuals or organizations that committed those problems, don't generalize, don't condemn the country. God gave us that position, the giant of Africa; it cannot be taken away from us. I am yet to see a country that is stronger than Nigeria in Africa, but you see us comparing Nigeria with other small countries in Africa, it doesn’t follow.

So my message to Nigerians is that, please, let's project the image of the country as Nigerians because we have no other country than Nigeria, then engage our leaders constructively, then calm down and support good government policies. 

Any good leader does not run down his family. Even when others are running the family down, he will try to protect the family while using those criticisms to work. But in this country somebody will be in America, London and will be saying Nigeria is useless, Nigeria is this, Nigeria is that, and Nigeria is his country or her country, I don’t understand that kind of politics. People start giving lectures here and there, running the country down,  I don’t think it is healthy, but then let our leaders listen to the voice of the people, let our leaders at various levels, the presidency, the town unions, down to the kindred, listen to the voice of the people and make changes where necessary.

I believe one day, and it won’t be long, we will be out of the wood, the watchword there is prayer and patience; everything will fall in line.
 

 

 

 

 

 

The UN-CSW 68 Session: Positive impacts of collaboration between Nurses Across The borders, DESOPADEC

The 68th annual Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), is the UN’s largest annual gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment. Ideally, this year’s edition which commenced on 11^th of March will come to an end on 22 of March.

The theme of this year’s meeting is “Accelerating the achievement of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing with a gender perspective”.

Indeed the international community is at a crucial crossroad for gender equality, bearing in mind that globally 10.3 per cent of women live in extreme poverty today, and they are poorer than men. Progress towards ending poverty needs to be 26 times faster to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

Unarguably, accelerated progress requires investment. Data from 48 developing economies shows that an additional $360 billion is needed per year to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment across key global goals, including ending poverty and hunger.

Solutions to end women’s poverty are widely recognized: investing in policies and programmes that address gender inequalities and boosting women’s agency and leadership. Such investments yield enormous dividends as over 100 million women and girls could be lifted out of poverty if governments prioritized education and family planning, fair and equal wages, and expanded social benefits. Almost 300 million jobs could be created by 2035 through investments in care services. Closing gender gaps in employment could boost Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita by 20 per cent across all regions.

At CSW68, governments, civil society organizations, experts and activists from across the world are already brainstorming to agree on actions and investments that can end women’s poverty and advance gender equality.

Therefore the role of Nurses Across the Borders in networking and attracting wide range of international attention and assistance to local communities, states and Nigeria, through conventions like this has become phenomenal.

But most important is her collaboration with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). There is no doubt that Delta State and indeed Nigeria have a lot to gain from the numerous investments and intervention opportunities likely to emanate from a conference like this and also tapping from the numerous collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring an end to gender disparity.

Nurses Across The Borders (NAB), is international charitable non-government, not-for-profit organization, which has continued to provide hope and a future to those ravaged by the HIV/AIDS scourge; it is also involved in the provision of relief materials and cash to those affected by both natural and human disaster, not forgetting capacity building for both healthcare and healthcare consumers.

Nurses Across the Borders has played incredibly commendable roles in climate change mitigation strategies. Last December at the UNFCCC COP 28 in Dubai, DESOPADEC actually co-hosted the side event with NAB and also signed an MOU with the group in the areas of developing and promoting mitigation and adaptation strategies against climate change and helping to build the capacities of the oil communities healthcare workers.

It has also shown capacity in the critical area of fight against gender inequalities.

DESOPADEC, an interventionist agency set up by Government of Delta State, Nigeria with the aim of providing development to the communities suffering from oil exploration and pollution and the adverse effects of climate change disasters has also collaborated with NAB to co-host the Side Event organized by Nurses Across The Borders, at the ongoing CSW 68 Session in United States of America.

In 2023, the Chairman of DESOPADEC, Chief (Barrister) John Obukowho Nani, received an award as a Global Climate Change Advocate presented to him by Nurses Across the Borders International in faraway United Arab Emirates at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change-UNFCCC COP 28 Conference, in recognition of his unflinching environmental sustainability activities in the state even from his days as the Commissioner of Environment. Whilst he was Commissioner in Delta State, Nani was also able to lay the solid foundation for the climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in the state.

Chief (Barrister) Nani, Chairman, who has done so much for Nurses Across The Borders, was unavoidably absent at the year’s side event in The US due to the crisis in Okuoma, Delta State which emanated from the killing of soldiers by locals and the consequent reprisal attacks by soldiers.

Nani, a critical thinker and thorough bred administrator showed class in helping the government of Delta State paddle its way out of the storm when flooding orchestrated by climate change raged the state. He ensured that the state entered into collaboration with Nurses Across the Borders which have the international connection to attract global assistance to making flooding and negative impacts of oil exploration in Delta State a thing of the past.

Indeed the big vacuum created by his absence at the event was felt by all and sundry, many have indeed longed for his invaluable contributions in such a gathering. 

While speaking at this year’s CWS, President/CEO, Nurses Across The Borders, Pastor Peters Omoragbon, maintained that there is an urgent need to increase efforts to ensure social protection that explicitly promotes gender equality.

Omoragbon who is also the Director for International Liaison Nigerians Charitable Association UK and Chairman Health Committee, Nigerians in Diaspora Organization-UK South: said “Social protection systems that do not address gender inequalities risk exacerbating the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination women and girls face. There is, therefore, an urgent need to increase our efforts to ensure social protection that explicitly promotes gender equality. This event will explore these issues, which include women's health, girls and young women, financing for women's rights, and gender equality and governance, among others.”

He enumerated various areas in which women are discriminated against, which include but are not limited to occupational segregation, leadership, and salary, among others, adding that women face a lot of challenges to secure decent work, including sexual harassment, and bias, saying “Large percentage of women in health workforce face bias and discrimination.

He enumerated the role and the numerous interventions by Nurses Across the Borders saying “As a civil society, ours is not only to advocate for the voiceless in the society, but also engage the community in awareness creation on emerging issues that impact sustainable development but equally collaborate with governments and agencies of governments and international organizations like the United Nations to provide and fund the enabling environment for correcting the social imbalance in society, among other interventions.

In her vote of Thanks, Evang. Helen Peters, appreciated profusely, the Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, First Lady of Osun State Nigeria and wife of the Executive Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, saying “Your keynote address and your commitment to women struggle will be rewarded by the impacts on the Osun State women by the present government in Osun under your influence. 

Mrs Omoragbon did not forget the contributions of the DSOPADEC saying “To our Partners-Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission under the able leadership of Olorogun (Barrister) John Nani who was the Chairman of today’s occasion but unavoidably absent, we say a big thank you for continuing to identify with and nurturing the partnership between Nurses Across the Borders and DESOPADEC.”

She also thanked the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Affairs, Osun State, Hon. Ayobola Awolowo; the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Abimbola Babatude and the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oladele, among other dignitaries.

 

 

The UN-CSW 68 Session: Omoragbon, Osun First Lady, condemn social protection systems not supporting gender equalities

Pastor Peters Omoragbon, the Executive President/CEO, Nurses Across The Borders, and the First Lady of Osun State, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, have condemned social protection systems that do not address gender inequalities, saying that they risk exacerbating the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination women and girls face.

Both personalities took the stance at a Side Event organized by Nurses Across The Borders, in Collaboration with The UN Women NGO Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) 68 Session and the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission with the Osun State Government. 

The side event titled ‘Gender Inequality, a Risk to Social Protective Systems for Women’ was held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York on Monday, March 18, 2024.

Omoragbon maintained that there is an urgent need to increase efforts to ensure social protection that explicitly promotes gender equality.

Omoragbon who is the Director for International Liaison Nigerians Charitable Association UK and Chairman Health Committee , Nigerians in In Diaspora Organization-UK South:*  said “Social protection systems that do not address gender inequalities risk exacerbating the multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination women and girls face. There is, therefore, an urgent need to increase our efforts to ensure social protection that explicitly promotes gender equality. This event will explore these issues, which include women's health, girls and young women, financing for women's rights, and gender equality and governance, among others.” 

He enumerated various areas in which women are discriminated against, which include but are not limited to occupational segregation, leadership, and salary, among others. 

Speaking on what women faced to secure decent work, he said women face discrimination, sexual harassment, and bias, saying “Large percentage of women in health workforce face bias and discrimination.

Female health workers face the burden of sexual harassment causing harm, ill health, attrition, loss morale, and stress.” He added that Male health workers are more likely to be organised in trade unions than females, while Frontline female health workers in conflict/emergencies/remote areas face violence, injury & death.”

In leadership, he said women are 70% global health workforce but hold only 25% senior roles. “Gender leadership gaps driven by stereotypes, discrimination, power imbalance, privileges. Women’s disadvantage intersects with/multiplied by other identities e g, race, class. 

Global health is weakened by the loss of female talent, ideas, and knowledge. Women leaders often expand health agenda strengthening health for all.”

Omoragbon revealed that the gendered leadership gap in health is a barrier to reaching the Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs and Universal Health Coverage-UHC.

Speaking further on gender disparity, he stated that Gender Pay Gaps (GPG) in health is about 26% higher than average for other sectors, adding that most of GPG in health is unexplained by observable factors e g education, Occupational segregation, women in lower status/paid roles, drives GPG.

He added that equal pay laws and collective bargaining are absent in many countries, adding that GPG leads to lifetime economic disadvantages for women.

He enumerated the role and the numerous interventions by Nurses Across the Borders saying “As a civil society, ours is not only to advocate for the voiceless in the society, but also engage the community in awareness creation on emerging issues that impact sustainable development but equally collaborate with governments and agencies of governments and international organizations like the United Nations to provide and fund the enabling environment for correcting the social imbalance in society. 

“To this end, Nurses Across the Borders is collaborating Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK-an Association of Nigerian Nurses/Midwives that do not only provide healthcare services to the Nigerian Communities in the UK but equally work with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Government in strengthening the healthcare delivery services in Nigeria. Nurses Across The Borders is also in partnership with the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC). This is an interventionist agency set up by the Delta State Government with the aim of providing development to the communities suffering from oil exploration and pollution and the adverse effects of climate change disasters.”

The group, in conjunction with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organization UK South, supports Homeland Development through self sponsored initiatives with " A Week Nigeria" every July that include Medical Mission, and community projects. The same collaboration exists between Nurses Across the Borders and the Nigerian Nurses Charitable Association UK in providing capacity Building for Healthcare workers in Nigeria.

The group is also collaborating with the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Centre for Sustainable Development, Warri Delta State; the World Continuing Education Alliance as a social impact technology with a mission to provide easy access to education and information that nurses, midwives, doctors, and other healthcare professionals need; and the Federal Ministry of Health, with which the body entered into a collaboration since 2022 and has almost concluded the signing of an MOU.

In her speech, Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Guest Speaker, said that “Gender inequality remains a stark reality in our society, despite significant advancements in women's rights and empowerment. It manifests in various forms, from unequal pay and limited access to education and healthcare to gender-based violence and discrimination in the workplace. These systemic disparities not only undermine the fundamental rights of women but also pose a serious threat to our social protective system.”

She said that women make up a significant portion of the workforce, contributing their skills, talents, and dedication to the growth and prosperity of the nations. “However, due to gender inequality, many women face barriers to accessing essential social protections such as fair wages, maternity leave, healthcare benefits, and pension rights. This not only perpetuates economic disparities but also hinders women's ability to secure their well-being and that of their families. 

She stated that as First Lady of Osun State, she is committed to gender equality advocacy. “I am committed to advocating for gender equality and empowering women to break down barriers and achieve their full potential. It is imperative that we work together to dismantle the structures that perpetuate gender inequality, promote equal opportunities for all, and ensure that our social protective system is truly inclusive and supportive of women's rights,” Chief (Mrs) Adeleke said.

In her vote of Thanks, Evang. Helen Peters, appreciated profusely, the Special Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker, First Lady of Osun State Nigeria and wife of the Executive Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Titilola Adeleke, saying “Your keynote address and your commitment to women struggle will be rewarded by the impacts on the Osun State women by the present government in Osun under your influence.

Mrs Omoragbon did not forget the contributions of the DSOPADEC saying “To our Partners-Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission under the able leadership of Olorogun (Barrister) John Nani who was the Chairman of today’s occasion but unavoidably absent, we say a big thank you for continuing to identify with and nurturing the partnership between Nurses Across the Borders and DESOPADEC.”

She also thanked the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and Social Affairs, Osun State, Hon. Ayobola Awolowo; the Permanent Secretary, Barrister Abimbola Babatude and the Director of Women Affairs, Mrs. Oluyemisi Oladele, among other dignitaries.

 

Testimonies of a satisfied user as TCI, Primary Health Centre, Mushin, engage in Family Planning Outreach

The role of family planning in people’s lives can no longer be over emphasized, hence ensuring access to family planning is not only a matter of human rights, but can also play a key role in protecting the health of mothers and children.

No wonder, The Challenge Initiative (TCI), a global platform that supports local governments in urban areas to scale up high impact interventions has partnered the Mushin Local Government Primary Health Centre in her efforts to sensitise the communities within her jurisdiction on the need for family planning.  

This month’s edition of the outreach which took place at the Ileepo Market in Mushin, on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, saw the TCI sponsored Mobilisers and the Primary Health Centre officials go round the entire market campaigning, sensitizing and preaching the message of Family Planning to the community people.

A health officer who wished to speak on condition of anonymity explained what the health outreach was all about “We are out here to mobilise people so that they can come and do family planning; all our mobilisers are sent out so that they would mobilise the people in the community in this Ileepo Market. They mobilise people for us to tell them more about family planning and to tell them that we have different types of family planning that they can do, the nurse is here to tell them the various types of family planning that is available so that they know the one to go for”

She also stated that there were items to give out to the people, “We have various items, they include the male condom, the female condom, and we show them how to use them, most people in the community do not know how to use the female condom, so we have to open one and show them, to practicalise on how to use it.”

“We also have other methods, like the billings method, the sayana method, the sayana press, we give it to them depending on their body weight after checking them by the nurse or when they have had conversations, depending on the one they go for,” she further stated.

Speaking on how receptive the people are to their message of family planning, she said, “Actually it is a normal thing due to the present economic situation, we are all in the community and we all know what is going on. So when we go there to mobilise them, the first thing they will ask is, is it food, is it meat? So we face a lot of challenges, but at least we are able to mobilise a reasonable number of them that are willing, because you can’t force them, and once they come and we talk to them we are good to go.”

 Asked if they are actually coming to the health centre, she said “They are coming, you know in the facility most people come voluntarily and when they come like that we are eager to accept them, but in the community we need to talk to them, counsel them before they can even accept. It is all about spacing your children, some would tell you, it would not allow them to give birth, they just complain that it has side effects, they listen to outsiders rather than listen to the health officers, but if we wait for them at the health centres for them to come, I doubt, things would be going wrong.”

Ojogbowale Surat, one of the TCI Assisted Mobilisers for Family Planning in her response stated that they have covered the entire Ileepo Mushin Market.  “Here is Mushin Market, they sell foodstuff, provisions, the number of traders and customers in this market is uncountable; we have gone round the market in this outreach. The streets covered by the market include, Onumorokun Street, Post Office, Agege Motor Road, Mumuni Street, Dada Iyalode, Koran, Abiodun, Ile Ladega, and so on and so forth, preaching the message of family planning. We have met many people and urged them to come and take family planning even men; we have given them condoms, both men and women and they are responding. We tell them to come to our stand and collect all these items, and also come to the health centre and take any of the family planning of their choice anytime they have chance.

Another Mobiliser Mrs. Oluwatoyin Shanu, “We do this from time to time, apart from this outreach, individually on our own we still talk to the people, taking the message of family planning to the people for them to know what they need to do at any giving point in time to be able to space their family and raise the number of children they want.”

Adebise Abojaiye, a satisfied user who deals in Onions business at Papajawo, Olomowewe section of the market, stated that family planning is the best thing that would happen to any woman of child bearing age, adding that after three children she has been on family planning even with the consent of her husband. Not only did she do the implant for three years, she has also embarked on three months version until such a time she and her husband are ready to have more children. But most significant is the fact that she has not seen any side effect since she started family planning.

Speaking on the type of family planning she received Abojaiye said, “I did the implant, it was inserted into my hand for three years, from February, 2021 to February, 2024.”

She admitted that she achieved the purpose for which she did the family planning. “I have not had children since I did it, even though I still want to have children, so when I removed the one of implant, I did another one which is in injection form, that is for here months, and it will expire by May, then I will collect another one.”

More revealing is that she has three children already “I already have three children before I embarked on family planning.”

She disclosed that she still wanted to have another child, but her husband said he was not ready yet. “I wanted to have it this year but my husband said I should do the one of one year, till next year.”

She advised her fellow women to ignore all rumours and side talks and do family planning “I am telling my fellow women to do family planning, there is no side effect and I don’t have big tommy, my stature is okay, nobody knows that I did it and I encourage other women who need it to go and do family planning. There is no cause for alarm.  I see my menstruation on time, if it does not come, I am not even scared at all.”

The outreach also coincided with the an event at the Mushin Local Government where the LGA in collaboration with the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board had what they called Step Down Training for Ward Health Committee Members which took place at the Mushin Local Government Headquarters.

 As explained by Reverend Bola Nuga and Morakinyo Olaolu Sola, representing Lagos Civil Society Participation for Development (LACSOP) an NGO working for the advancement of the people of Lagos and which also partners with Lagos State Primary Health Board, said the trainees are expected to go the wards where they reside to find out and report to the primary health centres what is going on in the communities for prompt action in order to avert problems, they are required also to sensitise the people in their wards on the need for family planning and beginning antenatal early to avoid child and maternal mortality.

 

 

Transition of an icon, James Nnaji, and testimonies of his kinsmen

There is no other way to describe death than to just say that Death is a necessary end, and will come when it will come, according to Caesar in a Shakespearian play that incidentally bears the name Julius Caesar. For Caesar Death is inescapable; there is no use worrying about it. That is just the advice.

Also that iconic Play writer, his protagonist, Macbeth, in a play that also bears the same name says that ‘Life is but a walking shadow, a power player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more. It is merely saying that just like an actor who plays a role on the stage for only a moment before they’re forgotten, life is fleeting and brief.

Yes all the world is a stage, and all men and women merely players. That is just the simplest summary of what death is, and also carries such wealthy advice to people who have lost someone dear to them. There is no other way to look at death otherwise we run the risk of asking God why.

We are mere mortals and we have no powers over our very life, naked we come, naked we must go one day. When we were created, we didn’t know, when we are going, the same, therefore we must see the world as a market place, in the end all men must go back to their creator to give account of their life.

However, many die, and the testimonies of their kinsmen bore witnesses for them before God, and they are already seated by the hands of God almighty, because according to the popular cliché, vox populi vox dei, meaning, the voice of man is the voice of God.

The death of Mr James Onyekachukwu Nnaji, Chairman/CEO of Janaby Intl Limited, domiciled in Benin City, Edo State, a man that was widely known as a business mogul dealing in all brands of Motor Tyre, be it Michelin, Dunlop, an importer of all known tyres from across the world, yet humility and philanthropy were his middle names.

News of his demise was devastating not just to the public but also including yours sincerely whose university education he sponsored without asking a dime in return. How are the mighty fallen? This very rare gem was lowered to mother earth on the 15^th of February, 2024, after just 67 years sojourn on earth; we missed him, his family missed him, both nuclear and extended friends, business partners and well-wishers, must miss this enterprising unique homo- sapiens. This man that did not lack any ingredient of creation, possessing all the qualities of a good man, has left this world. His death has indeed taught many a million dollar lesson that this world is just vanity upon vanity and all is vanity. There is nothing in this life. Nonetheless his greatest joy while departing this world as he smiled; was the same smile he put on the faces of the less-privileged, the widows and the downtrodden.

Of course, there was nobody in Osina community, and indeed Ideato nation, as a whole that would deny effect of his philanthropy either through direct contact or by donations he made to the church or town unions for the development of the community. He made so many millionaires especially business partners who benefitted from his unquantifiable magnanimity especially those who came to him with truth, for he detested dishonesty. If you had come to him in all sincerity, you would become a rich man just by knowing him and doing business with him. In all this Mr. James Nnaji refused chieftaincy titles that were placed at his feet on a platter of gold; that is the kind of man he was, he was neither flamboyant nor boastful.

According to Elder Anthony Igwe, one of his kinsmen, James was just a friend in need, who was not just a childhood friend but also a helper. He narrated his experience with the late James Nnaji. “Our relationship was a childhood relationship, because we grew together, we were brothers, we were friends. And my own relationship with him was peculiar, because the same day, the same vehicle we boarded to Enugu to serve our master in the early 70s. We were there, 71, 72, 73, before they left Enugu for Benin, then myself, I left Enugu for Maiduguri. And since that day till his demise, we were working together, both businesswise, relationship, and every other thing.

“The most important thing that made the relationship different from all the people I know, he is the only one among our people who recognized my ministry, Adoni Ministry, Awka, and he sponsored it. He is the only one among the people of Osina, among Umuotuasi kindred people, so he believed in my God, which means he believed in what I am doing. He believed in me and I believed in him. So we were brothers and we were friends, and it was just like a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Speaking further he said “I thank God for is life, he was a very quiet and a man that moved very slowly till he reached where he was determined to go; and God blessed him and established him. Not that he was old, but God made him, you know, in life, not that you live 100 years is the issue, it is not the matter, but the little years, how did you impact life? He used the little years he lived on earth and what God gave him to impact life. I appreciate God for him and I pray that God will give him rest in his bosom in Jesus name, amen.”

Elder Anthony also advised the family in this way, “My advice to the family is to start from where he stopped. He has run his race; he has handed over the baton to them to continue from where he stopped, they should not allow anything to stand between them. He had a principle, he had what he believed, they should not allow those things to die in their hands. My advice is God first, let them key into God. Like I told you, only me and him, maybe his wife and family knew he sponsored my ministry, Adoni. Therefore I ask the children, the family to hold unto what he believed, he believed in God, and he died in God.”

Chief Innocent Chinyereugo Ihionu Oguaghamba, Chief of  Ihumuogbo, the Onowu, the Traditional Prime Minister of Osina Ancient Kingdom, was passionate about what he said about the late James Nnaji. “We are descendants of Chinaga. James Onyekachukwu was a man in every sense of the word in whatever that is good. He disliked trouble; his own father was a good man also who detested trouble. The death of James is simply the will of God. He was still young, just that in our world today, you hear 30 years, the other day, a 21 years young man was buried, we don’t pray for such death.”

Speaking further he averred that it is not in the power of man to question God, “Now James, we cannot fight the spirit, while he was alive, he never called me to report somebody to me, he detested trouble, he was a taciturn, when he felt bad, he would simply tell you and if you disregarded his advice, he world just keep quiet, and in all these it would not stop him from helping you if there was need for that. Another unique character is that if he offered you any assistance, he wouldn’t like another person to hear about it otherwise, you have offended him. He was not boastful; those he helped in life are uncountable. Again he would tell you straight in your face if you were at fault, he was not afraid to say the truth, whether you were his elder, big or small, he would speak to your face that you were at fault. He would tell you that it is better to live in peace than having quarrels.

“I loved the life of the young man, I don’t know how to put it in English, but I will say it ‘He was a man of justice, a transparent personality, a philanthropist, a helper to those that are downtrodden, a friend to the poor and the widows, he didn’t carry his shoulders high as a rich man, no, he was so natural, he mixed up with his people. I don’t know, I want to talk like human being, I am not God, I don’t know whether because of his transparency, help he rendered to the helpless that made God to call him at this age, I don’t know. It is like God called him so that evil people would not contaminate him; maybe that was just what happened, he was just an epitome of an all-round man.”

Chief Oguaghamba who is also known as Ahunwaelotanna, advised the family of James Nnaji especially the first son that he must be a man and work to keep the legacies of his father. “You must not deviate from the manner your father lived on this earth, because he was a good man. As an elder in this Umuchinaga family, I bless him with same blessing which was also upon his father, if he abides by the lifestyle of his father, his blessings would come in million folds more than that of his father. That is my advice and my prayer for him, as well as my prayer for the younger ones. Anybody that enters the family to disorganise it, the spirit of our ancestors will destroy such person. Let the family continue with the peace which their father has established,” Chief Oguaghamba stated.

 

Omotosho family partners Rotary Club of Ikoyi, LSBTS to organize blood donation in memory of Susan Sidikat Omotosho

The family of Kamoru Omotosho, the Past District Governor, District 9110, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, has organized a blood donation drive in memory of their matriarch, Susan Omotosho.

The late Susan Omotosho, a Past President of Rotary Club of Ikoyi, who devoted her lifetime making sure that people donated blood in order to save lives, especially during emergencies, died three years ago, hence the family hosts the blood donation annually in commemoration of her passion while on earth.

This year’s edition of the blood donation which was conducted in partnership with the Rotary Club of Ikoyi and the Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service (LSBTS) took place at the blood donation bank set up by the Rotary Club of Ikoyi at the Police Hospital, Falomo in Ikoyi, on Saturday, March 9, 2024. 

The late Susan Sidikat Omotosho was indeed an eagle as she soared higher than her peers with a life full of passion for altruistic blood donation. Herself a nurse, she was the brain behind the establishment of the Blood Bank by the Rotary Club of Ikoyi at the Falomo Police Hospital in Lagos where it has been ascertained that over N100million worth of blood is currently stored.

Indeed the blood donation exercise has blossomed to becoming an annual ritual when members of the club gather at the blood donation bank, at the Police Hospital, Falomo, to pay tributes to the late Susan Omotosho.

As expected this year’s edition was an exemplification of the humaneness of Nigerians as they trooped out en mass to donate blood altruistically.

Funsho Omolara Gbogboade, current President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, while speaking to the media, disclosed that the blood bank and blood donation at the hospital stemmed from the passion of the late Amazon who gave her all for the sustenance of life and humanity. “We are here to first and foremost commemorate the life and time of our dear late Past President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, Susan Omotosho. This happened to be her passion, the blood donation and we have blood bank here, that we got global grant to establish, and she happened to be the one that drove it and it was a big Success. Today it is more than N100m worth of what we have in the blood bank here, then it was like N20m, now it is more than N100m, so we cannot but remember her on yearly basis, although we still do blood donation at club level, but for her remembrance, it is a yearly thing and we appreciate everyone that is here.”

Gbogboade who confirmed that by the end of the exercise about 40 people were expected to donate blood, encouraged her members and indeed the general public to imbibe the legacies of the late Susan Omotosho. “We all should imbibe the legacy Susan has left for us, legacy of promptness, legacy of team work, and legacy of loyalty and team support in whatever you believe in.”

Past District Governor, District 9110, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, Kamoru Omotosho, husband of the late Susan Omotosho averred that his late wife was instrumental to establishing the Falomo Police Hospital’s blood bank. “We did a lot of projects for the police hospital Falomo, and to sustain the memory of my wife who was instrumental to making that project happen, the blood donor centre was created for this hospital in Falomo. We think we can sustain her memory by arranging annual blood donation and we also partner with Lagos State Blood Transfusion Services, for this project."

On what he has missed about his late wife, Rotarian Omotosho said, “We lived together, we shared a lot of passion together, we do Rotary together, we were in the medical profession together, and because of that it is difficult not to keep remembering her, and I think the best way to do it is to do it in a way that would benefit other human beings.”

Dr. Austin Irabor, Past President, Rotary Club of Ikoyi, also has warm memories of the late Susan Omotosho, “Mrs Omotosho to me is like the mother of Rotary. She was a mother, a trainer and a coach; she was a role model to me particularly. When I joined Rotary she was the one who organized the training for about three of us. She was somebody you can rely on in any aspect.”

His message to the blood donors, “We want to thank them immensely for the humanitarian job they are doing, and we pray God will meet them in whatever they are doing in their private businesses because it is not an easy exercise to donate blood. So we appreciate them and we encourage others to come forward and donate and join hand in building this blood bank to be able to serve the larger community.”

Muti Makoye, the step daughter of the late Rotarian Susan Omotosho stated that the late icon was selfless. “She gave her whole life to giving back to society, this blood bank was her own creation, she was a nurse, she knew the importance of donating blood, and importance of emergency, and making blood available. So we are are doing this in remembrance of her where we come together and then we donate our blood to ensure that during emergency people have blood.”

She also spoke on other ways the family has chosen to immortalize Susan Omotosho. “This is the major thing we are doing to immortalize her, we also go to her grave from time to time. However, this is the third year we are doing the annual blood donation, and then all the lovely things she liked we are trying to do, like this is her legacy, she is gone three years ago, but what she wanted is still being done.

She opined that even though the diseased is being celebrated, the people should also work to make sure they are remembered when they are no more. “We should also create our own legacy, selfless things, not only was she prompt, she influenced and ensured that Rotary Club of Ikoyi was known for promptness, and as we go home let's reflect, what are the characteristics we should like to be known for, the question I ask myself is am I dependable, can my dad, my mum depend on me, can my friends depend on me? My take in all these is what are the legacies are we going to leave behind,” Mrs Makoya queried.

On her part, Dr Bodunrin Osikomaiya, Executive Secretary, Lagos State Blood Transfusion Service, thanked the voluntary donors, saying that giving blood should be altruistic, coming from an unselfish mind, just to help without any need for gift or even thank you, adding that many give blood without understanding the essence of the exercise. “But most of the people even though they have the altruistic mind they don’t understand that without blood many people will not survive, so voluntary blood donation has moved from being altruistic to being  a necessity and that is what  PAG. Susan Omotosho preached when she was alive.”  

She said part of the advantages of donating blood is that it gives opportunity of free health check. “They check for HIV, Hepatitis, even their blood pressure, you see donors talking to us like in consultation; it is very important for our donors that these things are done, and so we do encourage you all, even though you have done your HMO, it is good for you to know your status. The second thing I want to say about voluntary blood donation, they have the opportunity to get blood without replacement, if they need real support during emergency, they would get this blood without donation, so it brings a lot of succor to their mind.”

Dr Osikomaiya who maintained that giving blood has no disadvantages, also gave tutorials to the blood donors or intending donors on how they can easily replace lost blood. ‘Giving blood has no disadvantages. Now that you are giving blood, I should have told you that you make sure you have good and healthy meal, but if you have given try to rest, when you give this blood, if you have any strenuous exercise, please just take it easy for a while, take a lot of water. The most important thing about giving blood is fluid, specifically water, after that non-alcoholic juice, so take a lot of water, take so much water so that you can replenish what you lost during the next few hours.”

She advised Rotary Club of Ikoyi to flaunt their blood donation activities having done so much in that regard. “Rotary Club of Ikoyi has done a lot but you are not showing off what you are doing, you only show off when you are doing free vaccination, cleaning the environment, let us show off blood donation, it is a thing of pride. Outside the country, international bodies that give blood, you see them with a lot of batches, I think Rotary Club can do such for us, there is much more we can do than just say, I donated blood, let’s flaunt it out and let people envy us.”  

Will Primate Ayodele’s prophecy on South Sudan election come to pass? (Video)

Although the government of South Sudan headed by Salva Kiir has disclosed its intention to hold a presidential election in December 2024, popular Nigerian prophet, Primate Elijah Ayodele revealed that the election date will be changed.

In a video which went viral, the prophet made it known in 2023 that he doesn’t see the election being held on the proposed date due to security issues that would threaten the election process.

The prophet who has sent several fulfilled prophetic messages to the country stated that the election will cause destabilization in the country and an imminent danger lies in wait if the election holds.

He also revealed that the country will come under international pressure once the date is shifted while reiterating that the election date isn’t realistic.

These were his words

‘The date for the South Sudan election will be changed, the election isn’t realistic because of insecurity in the country. If the nation goes ahead, the election will cause destabilization. Once the election date is shifted, the international community will begin to put pressure on the country. If the election is held, there will be danger. The election isn’t realistic.’’

WATCH VIDEO BELOW:

https://www.tiktok.com/@primateayodele/video/7281244139495099654

It’s nine months to the proposed presidential election, there is not much preparation for the election due to the crisis in the country. Will Primate Ayodele’s prophecy come to pass?