MNCH Documentary highlights needless death of Nigerian mothers, Devcoms

Development Communications Network recently organized a documentary screening on maternal and child health. The gathering which was an interactive session between the media and key civil society organisations in Lagos State aimed at previewing an innovative approach to public education on the needless deaths of women in pregnancy and childbirth. Success Damian reports.

Previewing Maternal Newborn Child Health (MNCH) documentary which held at Devcoms office in Surulere, Lagos was an eye opener for the public to be aware of the numerous challenges militating against adequate healthcare for pregnant mothers in Nigeria.

Bolaji Adepegba, a Consultant to Devecoms on Training and Communication, said that the documentary screened was about the needless death of pregnant women in Nigeria.

Put together by some civil society organisations in Nigeria, the campaign against maternal and child death was done through Not Again Campaign.

Adepegba stated that “The essence of the campaign was to step up the advocacy against the death of mothers in Nigeria titled Not Again because Nigeria is posting a very high statistics as far as the death of pregnant mothers  are concerned, so we want to highlight some of the issues involved. It exposes some of the lapses, lapses on the side of the population, especially our health seeking habits, lapses on the side of the system which has to do with how much resources is deployed.”

He said part of the challenges discovered during the documentary include Poverty which makes it difficult for people to access health facilities. He also said Ignorance also make people not to know what they are supposed to do, “We also have bad governance, and that is why we had to bring the experiences of women who had near fatal experiences, so that they could tell the world about their experiences,” Adepegba stated.

“So from what they are saying you could see where they themselves went wrong and where the system went wrong, so it helps everybody to know the way to go so that our women need not to die needlessly.

Speaking on the way forward, Adepegba reiterated that “The way forward is for the Population to know what to do, go seek help as early as possible, and for the government to fashion ways through which people can access some of this facilities, at minimum cost and you could see that we highlighted the issue of health insurance. The whole process of health insurance is that we will not all be seek at the same time, but we will all be paying periodically our premiums, so there is so there is going to be a pool of resources, to help those that fall sick at intervals and when it is my turn to fall sick, other people will take care of my health bills. And I don’t see this as rocket science, it can be as everybody paying as little as N100 every month depending on the level of care that you hope to seek.

“On every body’s part we all have a role to play either as health seekers, health care providers, and that is the reason we put together this documentary,” Adepegba said.

Akiloluwa Akinpelumi, Head of programmes, Development Communications Network said the video for not again campaign against the death of women and children, is to show the reality of what an everyday woman faces when it comes to child bearing, and their experiences when they go for antenatal cares. “And also to show to us that our public hospitals, a lot of times you find out that facilities are not available.

He said with the documentary, as stakeholders, individuals, organisations, need to continue to push for the end to the endless death of women and children, because whether we like it or not these are leaders who are going to take over from whoever is the leader right now, because they are also a generation to be reckoned with and so, if we preserve their lives, we never can tell this is the next set of generation that will turn the nation for good.”

Feed the Future Today introduces Financial Literacy to public schools

Ohamara Obiageri:

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Feed the Future Today, has introduced Financial Literacy to pupils of selected public schools in Lagos, even as it donated rain coats to save the children from rain.

Founder & President of the group, Adetola Okanlawon spoke to the media at Ogba Public Primary School on Thursday during this year’s Feed the Children ‘Rain Coat Drive’

He said the NGO which is in its 10^th year that was upgraded to a Foundation two years ago, adding that the project for this year was introduction of financial literacy and rain coats to three school which include Ogba Public Primary School, Opebi Primary School and Bola Memorial.

In his word “This year marks the 10th year of existence of the NGO, but it was registered as a foundation in 2016,” Okanlawon stated.

Speaking on the core focus of the group he said “The Foundation is basically focused on introducing financial literacy to public schools, and we collaborated with Sterling Bank and other companies like Bakers World, Zinox and others.

“We also use this opportunity to protect the children, from the season, it is rainy season, so we are introducing financial literacy and we are protecting the children,” said Okanlawon.

Okanlawon put the total cost of the rain coat giving out this year at N2.5 million “In total we are giving out over 1500, Ogba Public Primary School we gave them 700; Opebi Primary School 400 plus, and Bola Memorial is about 300 plus. We have over 2500 raincoats and a raincoat, so we are talking of over N2.5m.”

The Founder disclosed that the organization is partnering with Government, “Because we always get approval from the government before we can do such things.”

On the challenges facing the group, Okanlawon said “The challenges the Foundation was facing include finance, Finance is pretty stiff; we constantly need the people to be supportive of anything that we do, so we are giving school bags, uniforms and things like that. We cannot do it alone, Okanlawon said.

He also hinted of introducing scholarship programme in the future, saying “We have not started a scholarship programme, but may in the future.”

Jonathan Alaba a pupil of Ogba Public Primary School who received a book and rain coat expressed his joy saying, “I won a raincoat and a book from sterling bank. I feel happy. Thank you Sterling for giving me a raincoat and a book, God bless you, I am going to work to make my parents happy.”

Time for unity is now, Ozonweke urges Ndigbo as Igbo Day 2018 holds

Ohamara Obiageri:

Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter, Chief Everest Ozonweke, has urged the Igbos to live as one at this critical period in the life of the nation.

Ozonweke was speaking to Journalists at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos while announcing preparation for the 2018 Igbo Day/Cultural Festival scheduled for November 3, 2018 at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

He said that this year's Igbo Day/Cultural Festival with the theme ‘Progress of the Igbo Nation (Oganiru Ndigbo)’ would among other issues showcase the rich Igbo cultural heritage which as passed unto present generation of Igbos by their forefathers.

According to Ozonweke, also known as Onowo of Badagry, “Igbo Day and Cultural Festival is a Thanksgiving day for the Igbo all over the world and a celebration for surviving the civil war, having been marked for extinction.”

Speaking further, Ozonweke, stated that “If there's a time for Ndigbo to be united and co-exist in harmony, it's now; if there is a time for Ndigbo to speak with one voice, that time is now, and we must do everything possible to make sure that the achievements made so far by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Solomon Ogbonna and his executive, are sustained and improved upon.”

The Chairman Standing Committee of Culture Event, His Royal Highness Ubochi C. Ubochi said that the 2018 Igbo Day and Cultural Festival is a must attend to every son and daughter of Ndigbo in Lagos.

He also urge the friends of Ndigbo and various host communities in Lagos State to be part of the auspicious event.

Joan Agha Foundation empowers women, youths with technology, grants

Ohamara Obiageri:

Joan Agha Foundation (JAF) has restated commitment to empower women with cheap and affordable technologies for small scale entrepreneurship with ultimate aim of industrializing the nation.

This was the revelation at Joan Agha Foundation 6^th Annual Lecture for Women Entrepreneurs themed ‘Women Entrepreneurs: Catalyst for Development’ which was held at Oriental Hotel in Lagos recently.

Joan Agha, the Founder and President the Foundation who stated that the motive behind the Foundation was to impact lives especially women and the youyh, added that the foundation has granted scholarships to 39 brilliant indigent students from primary to tertiary institutions, having also empowered 64 women with loans without interests.

“Three years ago we gave out grants of N100,000 each to four youth entrepreneurs, last year we gave a million and this year we have done N1.1million,” Agha disclose.

Agha relying on National Bureau of Statistics, said Nigerian women constitute 70% of the informal economy, and one-third of Nigeria’s formal small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). She added that despite the influx of women entrepreneurs, not much has been recorded due to limited access to finance, markets and entrepreneurial skills.

She said the essence of the annual lecture was to continually create a platform and unique opportunity for women entrepreneurs, to ensure that they are equipped to conceptualize, initial and operate successful enterprises which will develop into future big businesses.

Professor Gloria Elemo, Director General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIIRO) who was the keynote Speaker stated that the challenge for the women was on how to start their own businesses.

While decrying the issue of recession and unemployment, Elemo said women have the key to industrialization of the nation, adding that FIIRO on their part have introduced simple technologies that have very high potentials of growth which will help to economically empower the women and families. “Women you know actually serve as stronghold and background of any family structure, so they need to be empowered, they need to be informed."

Speaking on how women could solve the problem of funding their businesses Elemo said, “There are many programs of Government that can give you quick access to funds. You have the bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture, special program by CBN, Microfinance Houses, so when you come, our success is that you are able to establish, so we try as much as possible to link you to the relevant institutions,” Elemo said.

Among other speakers at the event were Ambassador Ayoola Olukanni, Director General, the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACIMA); Mrs Ojini Olaghere, Managing Consultant, Rickela Consulting Limited, Guest Speaker; and Peter Bankole, Pioneer the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) of the Pan-Atlantic University, Guest Speaker.

PwC Nigeria Staff, Alumni donate N5m to less privileged through 5 for 5

Success Damian:

PwC Nigeria, a network of firms in 158 countries with over 250,000 people who are committed to delivering quality in assurance, advisory and tax services through the assistance of their Staff and Alumni has donated N5 million to less privileged Nigerians from their annual Walk for Charity held recently.

Held on October 28, the walk which was tagged “5for5” covered a distance of five kilometres and was aimed at raising funds for five selected charities. 

Each of the selected charity received a donation of one million naira from the firm. 

The benefitting charities this year include: Shelter for Abused Women and Children; Lady Atinuke Memorial Home; Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative; National Cancer Prevention Programme; Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.

  

The Charity Walk took off as early as 6.30am while staff and alumni gathered at the take-off point, adjourning the firm’s head office in Victoria Island with the Deputy Country Senior Partner, Tola Ogundipe leading the contingent, which included many of the firm’s partners, staff, alumni as well as the staff andinmates of the selected benefiting charities.

In his address after the Walk, Pedro Omontuemhen, Chief Operating Partner, PwC Nigeria said “Following the success and impact of the first edition last year, we decided to make the walk an annual event with a new set of five charities to benefit from the initiative this year. The nomination was done by our staff who alongside our alumni and partners, made voluntary donations to raise the funds for the five charities. This is one of the ways we show care and impact our community while being true to our purpose of building trust in society and solving important problems.”

In her speech prior to the walk, Obioma Ubah, Partner and Head of Corporate Responsibility, PwC Nigeria noted that the walk was a collaborative effort which provided an opportunity for staff and partners to network with the firm’s alumni, while promoting healthy living and give back to the community. She gave the list of this year’s beneficiaries to include Shelter for Abused Women and Children, Lady Atinuke Memorial Home, Street Child Care and Welfare Initiative, the National Cancer Prevention Programme and Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria.

  

The walk, which progressed in a carnival like manner with music and dancing featured dance aerobics, physical exercises and other entertaining activities.

  

ICFN Lagos Chapter will bring unity among Ideato people, Ide Ernest Eze

Inauguration of Ideato Committee of Friends of Nigeria (ICFN) Lagos Chapter took place on Sunday, October 14, at Bikel Event Centre, Ago Palace Way. Ide Ernest Eze (Orabugwueze) Chairman of the club in Lagos State and other members of the club spoke to OHAMARA OBIAGERI and she reports.

The inauguration of the Ideato Committee of Friends of Nigeria

(I.C.F.N.) Lagos Chapter, to the new members, was a dream come true as members of the club from various branches gathered at the venue for the confirmation of the existence of the club

in Lagos.

With the inauguration, the new members were now entitled to all the benefits due for ICFN members. They can now use their logo, paraphernalia, and signs for which the club is known.

Speaking to the gathering Ide Chief Ernest Eze thanked members, he also thanked the traditional rulers from the South East for taking the pains to attend the occasion.

In his word “Today is very unique and symbolic as it marks an event of inauguration and induction of new members and new branch of Ideato Committee of friends of Nigeria (I.C.F.N) here in Lagos State.

“The establishment of the branch of the club here in Lagos State will bring the people of Ideato North and South L.G.A together under one umbrella, serve as an engine room for the meeting of our people here in Lagos State,” Eze said.

Eze spoke further, “I thank God for bringing us together and giving us the wisdom and vision to embark on this journey which I think will benefit and unite our people in Lagos. I also use this medium to encourage all our people here in Lagos to register with the club as membership of the club is replete with good tidings.

“I also express my appreciation to the members for their tireless efforts to make the occasion successful. I will not fail to give kudos to the ten pioneer members who laid the foundation stone for today’s occasion and finally the organizing committee for their handwork to ensure the success of this occasion,” Eze stated.

Sir Osinachi Nnedu (Onwa na Isiokpo) was confirmed a Patron of the club and said his role in the club is advisory. “Any time they need something from us financially or morally we will be there for them.”

On corporate social responsibility and empowerment he said “The club can form a pressure group and pressure government to bring development to Ideato, they can also empower people through philanthropic gestures” Nnedu stated.

Ide Chukwudi Ochomma (Nwadiohamma 1 of Umualaoma) the National President of the club while delivering his keynote said Ideato committee of Friends of Nigeria is a non-political but social cultural organization formed in 1989 by those called League of Founders.

Further Ochomma said “Our logo is Ekuwunato, a tripod, which represents Mbanasa, Nwasbosi and Arondizuogu clans. In Ideato Committee of Friends, we believe in one indivisible great Ideato.

Our aims and objectives include love, peace, mutual understanding, friendship and progress, welfare of members and Ideato nation, formation of unbiased political front for Ideato nation.”

He said membership is open to every meaning adult son of Ideato who must satisfy the requirement for it's membership.

He concluded by saying “I therefore urge every son of Ideato resident in Lagos to identity with this great and unique club, lets join hands and build our nation (Ideato). My candid advice to the interim Lagos executive, is to centralize the meeting venue to enable them to fish member from all parts of Lagos. To my beloved brothers and friends in Lagos branch, as you are inducted today, I urge you to be a branch/members that will promote the good corporate image of our club/nation here in Lagos and beyond, please accept my Congrats.’

Youth Empowerment Foundation trains children on self-reliance

Youth Empowerment Foundation, an organization devoted to training the girl-child with various programmes ranging from Sports, Education, Environment, Health, and Secured livelihood, on September 25, organized a Quiz programme at Rita Lori Hotel, Surulere, Lagos, to test the children from 16 schools in Lagos based on what they have learnt from the tutors. SUCCESS NNAJI reports.

The quiz was meant for the children who have been selected and trained based on the foundations goals; it was also designed to inculcate in them the spirit of sportsmanship.

According to Tolulope Osoba, Progamme Manager Youth Empowerment Foundation in an interview with Newworldnewsng said “Youth Empowerment Foundation works with young people and we have three offices in Nigeria, Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja.

“We have a project called Goal that is being partnered by Standard Chartered Bank. So what we are doing today is having a quiz Competition for this girls over a period of 10 months, we pick these girls from public schools and then we train them on life skills on football and taekwondo,” Osoba said.

She went further to say “So today we are having a quiz competition among the 16 schools in Lagos, they compete among themselves, we try to let them understand that you can compete healthily amongst yourselves, and whoever wins or loses, you are still friends. We inculcate in them the spirit of sportsmanship, a spirit of if you don’t win today, you will win tomorrow.’

Osoba stated that Goal Project started in Nigeria since 2010, adding that it is a global project and that they are in about 25 countries of the world.

On expansion of the project to other parts of Nigeria she stated that it is one step at a time.

Osoba disclosed that the group is a member of Child Protection Network, “Because there is no way you work with children that you will not make sure we are compliant with the child protection rules and regulations, even for our partners they make sure we sign the child protection policy.”

Speaking on modalities for picking the girls for training and empowerment Osoba stated, “We normally pick the girls when they come into the JS1 and usually about age group of 10 to 16, but that is not all, when they move to senior class we don’t just leave them, what we have done is we have two programmes, you can see some of our big girls, those are the girls we started with in JS1 in 2010,  and now they are now big girls and they have become what we called the Goal Champions. So we train and retrain them so they now help to train these girls in schools on sports and life skills. We have also trained them on vocational skills, so some of them you are seeing are hair dressers, bead-makers, Ankara designers, so we don’t just leave them.”

On the reason for choosing only the girls, she said “It is a girl empowerment project, but because of the persistent demand with partners, ministry of education, ministry of youth and sports, so what we have done this year is to pilot a project for the boys.

She also explained reason behind choice of the girls, “Though the choice of the girls is key because they said, train the boy, you train an individual, but train a girl yoxu train a nation, because they are the ones to continue to give birth, raise children, so it is key that a woman understands herself, she is self-aware, understands issues around her, be intellectually sound, financially independent, a woman that is not empowered is also a problem.

At the end of the Quiz competition, Wesley Girls College, Oyingbo, Yaba came tops, while 1^st and 2^nd runners up were Surulere Junior  Secondary School and  Community Junior Secondary, Surulere respectively. All of them were handsomely rewarded.