News
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.
News
After Calling CAN ‘Conflict Entrepreneurs’, Police Make U-turn, Confirm Mass Abduction of Kaduna Churchgoers
Bare 24 hours after denying reports of the abduction of worshippers from three churches in Kurmin Wali community, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the police have reversed their position, admitting that the attack “did occur” and many people were kidnapped.
The police admitted the incident in a Tuesday night statement issued by their spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin. This followed a public condemnation of the police’s initial stance.
Recall that terrorists, loosely referred to as “bandits,” invaded the area on Sunday, 18 January, kidnapping over 160 worshippers.
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) told this newspaper that 172 people were initially abducted but nine escaped and the remaining were marched into a nearby forest.
The statement signed by its spokesperson, Reuben Buhari, listed the affected churches to include the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Albarka Cherubim and Seraphim 1 and Haske Cherubim and Seraphim 2.
Both the Kaduna State government and the police disagreed with CAN, challenging it to present evidence that there was an abduction.
Addressing reporters on Monday after a security meeting with state authorities, the police commissioner in Kaduna, Muhammad Rabiu, described the incident as a “falsehood which is being peddled by conflict entrepreneurs who want to cause chaos in Kaduna State.”
Also the chairperson of Kajuru Local Government, Dauda Madaki, denied the attack, citing local authorities in the area.
But in the Tuesday night statement, the police said their new position on the incident followed subsequent verification from operational units and intelligence sources.
The Police said efforts were underway to “safely” rescue the victims and restore normalcy to the area.
The Police said the incident generated widespread fear and anxiety, leading the Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, to convene a meeting of the State Security Council at the Government House in Kaduna.
During the meeting, some individuals from the affected local government reportedly disputed earlier reports of the abduction, describing them as false, a development the police said created uncertainty and necessitated further verification.
According to the statement, the abduction had earlier been confirmed by the police, but the conflicting accounts led security agencies to exercise caution before making “conclusive” public statements.
The police explained that comments made by the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna were aimed at preventing “unnecessary panic” while investigations were ongoing.
The remarks, the police added, were not a denial but a response pending confirmation of details, such as the identities and number of those affected.
According to the statement, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the deployment of additional operational and intelligence assets to the area.
The Police said the response includes the deployment of tactical units, intensified patrols, and targeted search-and-rescue operations.
The Police appealed to the public and the media to rely on official communications for verified information, warning that sensational reporting could “jeopardise ongoing operations or heighten public anxiety.”
Premium Times
The Nigerian Army has dismissed as false and misleading an online report alleging threats of mutiny by soldiers over salaries and allowances, describing the claim as sensational and detrimental to national security.
The acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, said there has been no threat of mutiny within the Nigerian Army.
Anele said that such conduct is alien to its ethos, discipline and professionalism.
She said mutiny is a grave offence under military law and incompatible with the loyalty of Nigerian Army personnel to the Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Anele explained that the report relied on anonymous and unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels, which did not reflect the views or disposition of officers and soldiers who were trained to address grievances through established military procedures.
Anele clarified that promotion increments is only one component of military pay and should not be misrepresented as total earnings.
According to her, military remuneration includes consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational, field and hardship allowances, as well as other entitlements that vary based on deployment, qualifications and responsibilities.
She said the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, is implementing structured welfare reforms, including periodic reviews of salaries and allowances, enhanced operational incentives, improved accommodation, medical care and insurance packages for troops and their families.
The army spokesperson added that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, had, since assuming office, initiated constructive engagements with relevant authorities on troop welfare, with positive outcomes already emerging.
Anele reaffirmed that the Federal government, under President Bola Tinubu, remains committed to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces amid evolving security challenges.
She urged the public to disregard unfounded reports and rely on official communication channels for accurate information on the Nigerian Army.
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
To survive, everyone must work irrespective of creed or cadre. Work defines an individual, and sets them apart.
Working as a human being is however, relative. A student’s main work is to read and pass examination. A parent’s main work is to train their children. An employee’s main work is do the job they have been paid to do. A pastor’s job is to preach the gospel of Christ in addition to leading people to God. An athlete’s main work is to train and compete at global events in addition to winning laurels. The list is endless.
It’s the job every living being does that attracts opportunities to them, and so, staying docile and expecting opportunities to come your way is another way of encouraging poverty, lack and want in your life. In fact, docile people derive a certain level of joy from begging. Some even love freebies, free lunch and introduction for job opportunities just because they think they have the connection to make it work without them necessarily doing the corresponding work or have the requisite skill.
I personally believe it’s only lazy minds, who think that way. Life doesn’t work that way. I have since discovered that the more work one does the more doors and opportunities that come his way.
Speaking from experience, I have observed that some of the opportunities and favours I am currently receiving and enjoying are consequences of the foundation I laid many years ago. One might be wondering how that works. Let me explain a little, the day you sow a seed is not the day you will reap the fruits. Let me be more direct, as an author, it wasn’t an easy feat writing, researching, editing, doing the layout, publishing and printing the manuscript. It was lots of work, and I didn’t know my book would connect me to resourceful persons today.
In addition, the book generated royalties that humbled me to say the least. The moral of this analysis lies in the fact that when I was spending hours doing the work, I didn’t know it would attract the kind of global attention and news interviews that came to me. Now, you see why it’s good to work. Even the Bible states in Luke 10:7, that every laborer deserves fair compensation.
Did you know that if anyone wants to bless you, they will bless you with the work you do. That’s why the book of life states; God will bless the works of your hands. Nobody likes to give out free money. They like their money to work for them. It’s sad and very unfortunate to see people who pray for opportunities, favours, and blessings without doing any work. These lesser minds think money and opportunities will fall from heaven; they fail to realize that it is their work that heaven is waiting to use to bless them.
Did you know that there are things which God has enabled us to do for ourselves, and there are things we need to depend on Him to assist us. Let me explain further; if all your prayer requests are things men can provide, why are you really praying? Isn’t prayer meant for things you can’t do yourself? You pray to pass an exam that your friend read to pass. You pray to get a job that your friend got on merit. You appeal to God for a car that your friend worked for. It looks as if you are abusing prayer, and you want God to give you the things He has equipped you to provide for yourself. It is high time we understood that prayer is not the solution to laziness.
My late dad, Chief Lazarus Ukazu, advised my siblings and I to always work. As a matter of fact, each time he feels we are oversleeping, he’ll wake us up and say we have many years to sleep in the grave when we die, but as we are alive, we must work.
This instructive advice has been one of the best inspirational lessons I have received in my life. That advice made me feel like setting another goal each time I accomplish a major feat.
The importance of working cannot be overemphasized. The difference between high achievers and docile people is the work they do. While high achievers are very intentional with their life, docile people live by chance. While high achievers are determined to break records, and set new records, docile people are always comfortable living in their comfort zone.
In our contemporary society, we literally have no reason to fail because there’s the availability technology and social media to boost the work we do. It’s easy for one to know what we represent by just surfing the internet. So, imagine when frivolities are seen on your page, it will greatly affect you. Then contrast it with when good information is seen of you on the internet. Like I always say, why be local when we can be global?
Did you know that working is like taking a risk, the more work and risk someone engages in, the more opportunities and experience come their way.
In summary, if you are asked, what’s your work or what project are you working on, what will be your response?
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 and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
