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OOA Foundation Partners Petrolex Investment, Empowers 245 Persons in Ibefun
It was a delightful Saturday morning on December 7, 2019 at the Ibefun International College in Ogun State when Petrolex Impact Investment Network (PIIN), in collaboration with the Oladiran Olusegun Adebutu Foundation (OOAF), in characteristic manner brought succour, hope, joy and a reason to live, to the over 300 children with special needs under its care, women, entrepreneurs, farmers, youths in the community in its empowerment drive.
After the opening prayer by nine-year-old Daniel Victor, the event was swung open by compere Dayo Benjamins-Laniyi who ensured the atmosphere stayed charged throughout the duration of the program.
Delivering the keynote address, wife of the speaker of the National House of Assembly, Salamatu Gbajiagbamila, commended the efforts of the OOAF in its generous approach to transform society, especially children with special needs, and also commended the entrepreneurial initiative of the foundation to reduce poverty, saying it was a wake-up call for meaningful citizens to “pool resources to tackle poverty in Nigeria.”
Delivering her speech, wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun thanked the chairman of the OOAF for the laudable initiative behind the foundation, saying that the task of developing the community required joint efforts without which it would be difficult to move forward and assured that the development of the 300 children with special needs by the foundation as well as the empowerment of farmers, women, entrepreneurs etc will surely have positive ripple effects.
Speaking further, she averred that the Ogun State government was also not relenting in revamping communities in the state and reiterated the resolve of the government to end poverty by the year 2030.
An empowerment agent herself, Mrs. Abiodun said, “I have committed myself to this cause and appeal to all in considering greater investment in people”, and called for all to join forces in tandem with the slogan of the OOAF to “leave no child behind”.
CEO of the foundation, Kemi Sokenu espousing the vision of the foundation, said “it takes a generous unselfish investment to impact lives” and appreciated Petrolex in effecting real change not just in the country but also in the continent. She also thanked the Kabiyesi of Ibefun who according to her had been a strong guiding force, and took time to enumerate some of the achievements of the foundation.
One of the laudable achievements of the foundation has been in its partnership with ‘Hospitals for Humanity’ through which 11 children so far have been given open heart surgeries in Nigeria.
Speaking on the feat, Dr Segun Ajayi who flew in from Atlanta Georgia for the program enumerated the ideals of ‘Hospitals for Humanity’-a non-profit medical caregiver working in association with organizations like the OOAF to bring relief and succor to lives the world over.
A mother of one of the children who had benefited from a heart surgery, Mrs. Latifa in a rather emotional rendition expressed gratitude to the OOAF, disclosing that, “when all hope was lost and I didn’t know what to do or where to turn, OOAF came to the rescue”.
On the empowerment drive, there were 245 beneficiaries of the Petrolex Impact Investment (PIIN) initiative in partnership with OOAF, as motorcycles, deep freezers, generators, water pumping machines, hair dryers, barbing equipment sets, farming equipments and other items were handed over by the wife of the governor on behalf of OOAF.
She also unveiled the Caroline Oladunni Adebutu Serenity Center, an orphanage that will be doled out in phases, after which she visited the OVC daycamp with her entourage.
Partners of OOAF in the community were also recognized and awarded certificates by the chairman of OOAF, Olusegun Adebutu.
Other activities of the day included free medical services given to members of the community.
Dignitaries at the event included former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, who was represented, the LG Educational Secretary, Rev. John Patrick Ngoyi, the Kabiyesi of Ibefun, HRH Oba Gideon Adetoye among others.
With Poverty Alleviation at the forefront of its intervention, OOA Foundation’s goal is to give a voice, hope, and hardship relief to vulnerable members of host communities through programmes that rapidly scale up and impact positively in the short, medium and long term in order to eradicate poverty, educate children and build prosperous communities.
Since 2014, OOA Foundation has been involved in philanthropic initiatives ranging from educational support, health support, nutritional support, psychosocial support, recreational support, shelter and provision of clean water. It has a mandate to give the vulnerable members of its host communities a voice, hope and relief.
With a vision to reduce poverty among vulnerable children and women in its communities, the founder is passionately living it out, with his principle, according to him being, “In life, you need to embrace your humanity, you can’t go through life thinking it’s all about you. There are people that have the right to be happy, and you have the ability to help them through that journey”.
The Foundation has implemented programs that support OVC across 6 Local Government Areas (Abeokuta South, Abeokuta North, Odogbolu, Imeko Afon, Ikenne and Yewa) in Ogun State, Nigeria through its Care and Support Intervention Program. The project site includes, Ilaro, OwodeYewa, Oke-Ilewo, Iperu, Ikenne, Ibefun, Kuto, Lafenwa, Olomore, Imeko, and Odogbolu.
To date, the program has reached over 300 OVC with improved access to Education, primary health care, nutrition, recreation, psychosocial support and clean water & sanitation, trained numerous service providers and caregivers by equipping them with the skills and knowledge needed in providing appropriate integrated care for the OVCs across the 6 LGA in Ogun State.
The activities of the Oladunni Olusegun Adebutu Foundation are spread throughout the country.
Impeached Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, has described the corruption allegations against him as “fictitious and unsubstantiated”.
Speaking during a welcome rally at his residence in GRA, Ikeja on Saturday, Obasa maintained that he was not afraid of being impeached but emphasised that due process was not followed.
The former Speaker alleged that his removal was orchestrated while he was away, and accused the state commissioner of police of aiding the process.
He claimed security agents, led by the police commissioner, invaded the assembly complex and his homes in Agege and Ikeja, locking his family indoors with over 200 officers present.
Obasa dismissed allegations of misappropriation.
He mocked claims that a gate construction had cost N16 billion, saying, “Is it the wall of Jericho?”
He said: “I am not afraid of being removed, after all, it is not my father’s chieftaincy title. I am representing my people and they have returned me six times. If you want to do anything, do it well.
“They did the removal all because I was out of the country. Lagos is a special place, we cannot denigrate the state.
The former Speaker cited the case of the former speaker, Rt. Hon Jokotola Pelumi.
He said when Pelumi was removed, he was in the assembly and “we did not invite policemen.
“When my sister, former deputy speaker of the House, Hon. Adefunmilayo Tejuosho was removed, we did not invite the police.”
Obasa said an innocent person should not be discredited, and there must be proof of allegations showing exactly what he has done.
“The Lagos State House of Assembly is above common standard of excellence.
“I appreciate the members of the governance advisory council and Governor Babajide Olusola Aanwo-Olu of the state. He is my brother and he always calls me his younger brother.”
Obasa was impeached on January 13 by more than two-thirds of the 40-member legislative house over alleged misconduct and sundry offences.
His Deputy, Mojisola Meranda, was immediately elected the new speaker, becoming the first female to take charge of the legislative body in the State.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has confirmed that 38 persons, including seven crew members, were injured when a United Airlines plane made an emergency landing in Lagos on Friday morning.
The Boeing 787-8 flight with 245 passengers was en route to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), in the United States, from the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, when it developed problems midair and was forced to return to the airport.
There were also 11 crew members – eight attendants and three pilots – on the plane.
The FAAN Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Obiageli Orah, who confirmed the incident through a statement, said all passengers and crew disembarked safely.
She, however, said four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries.
According to her, 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
The statement read: “The United Airlines Boeing 787-800 departed Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, at 11:59pm on Thursday, but made air return and landed safely at 3.22am on Friday.
“On board were 245 adults and 11 crew members.
“The team of Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Medical, and Aviation Security were already at the gate when the aeroplane parked for deboarding at D31 without incident, and the door was opened at 3:37am.
“While all passengers and crew disembarked safely, four passengers and two crew members sustained serious injuries, and an additional 27 passengers and five crew members had minor injuries.
“The rescue team responded swiftly and effectively, having been on alert and standby.
“Aviation medical ambulances transported the injured passengers, some to the MMA Clinic and others to the headquarters clinic.”
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
There’s no doubt that human beings by nature are insatiable. When we get one opportunity, we always look for another. When we attain one height, we always look for another accomplishment. Isn’t it true that the end of one mountain is the beginning of another.
However, I don’t think it’s selfish for anyone to dare to succeed.
Being ambitious doesn’t make one an opportunist or disloyal. It all depends on one’s perception or outlook to life. It’s just natural for one to dream big. It’s only ugly when the process one chooses to achieve his desires becomes dirty and nasty.
According to a former Nigerian presidential candidate and seasoned Economist, Mr. Peter Obi, “if you must be referred to as “Your Excellency”, then the process through which you arrived in office must be excellent”.
If you desire to be reckoned with on the journey of existence, you must be legitimately hungry for success. One’s hunger for success will facilitate the drive to accomplish great tasks despite daunting obstacles posing as challenges.
When one has this mindset, one will not be bothered by the noise which serves as obstacles and challenges along the way. Negative and weak minds are always concerned on why something won’t work. They tend to focus their energy and reasons on the obstacles facing them. But great and productive minds always focus their energy on the reasons why it will work. This is the spirit of an insatiable mind who is a goal- getter.
It’s instructive to note that we can’t please everyone. According to Bill Cosby, a famous actor, “I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.” Isn’t it true that when you talk, people will still talk about you, when you don’t talk, people will talk about you, so whether you talk or not, people will still judge you, so, do what’s best for you. There’s nothing you can do to please human beings. Your best option is to live your best life.
To understand how the insatiable nature of man works, one must be oneself. You don’t have to “please” anyone. Be yourself, and don’t try to be like anyone just to curry favour. It’s important to note that when you are yourself, the people that matter will come through for you, and the people that don’t matter will gradually find the bearing in another space because those that truly care don’t bother and those that bother don’t really matter in the grand scheme of things.
Life has truly taught me to focus on the important things of life as opposed to the mundane things. It’s truly sad to see people spending more time on the little things of life, and spending little time on the important things of life. That’s just a misplaced priority.
When you are yourself, the best people can do is to copy or imitate your style. They can never imitate your creativity nor can take your originality from you.
We live in a world or society where people don’t generally care or show empathy. Most people tend to live around themselves, their family, and close associates. They generally find it hard to lift a finger to assist others for reasons best known to them. Rev. Fr. Ejike Mbaka once said, “we live in a wicked generation”, re-echoing the voices of a lot of people of the world. Some people in authority just have criminal expertise in amassing wealth of opportunities meant for the citizens without thinking of the citizens they are meant to serve.
It’s worthy of note that not everyone will like you nor support your work, but when you find people who truly care about you; please hold them tight. This is because despite having family members you have shown love and compassion, they might not still appreciate you even if you lay your life for them, they will still find something to say. Again, this is the insatiable nature of man.
It’s okay for everyone not to like you, normalize living your life for God, yourself, family and those that care about you. If everyone likes you, you have a problem.
Did you know that you can get a new family from friends, strangers, and acquaintances? These sets of people might appreciate you more than your own family members. They might not demand or under appreciate you like your family members and close friends or associates. Any little support you give them will be highly appreciated. Their focus is to see you do better.
In conclusion, as you desire to succeed in life, never give in to failure until you have made your last attempt, and never make your last attempt until you succeed. This literally means whatever you desire, dream it, think it, say it, and believe you can achieve it. This principle is generally applicable to relationships, businesses, family, personal and professional development.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design Your and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
