Metro
Spring of Joy Foundation Debuts, Conducts Free Medical Checkup, Shares Foodstuffs to 250 Widows
By Eric Elezuo
A Godsent not-for-profit organisation, the Spring of Joy Foundation for Widows, has unleashed wholesome kindness to humanity as it reached out to 250 widows with its milk of human kindness, in an event tagged Food Pantry and Free Medical Checkup for Widows.
Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation, founded by a quintessential and passionate professional, Mrs. Anastiasia Daniel, is an NGO committed to making a profound difference in the lives of widows, addressing their unique challenges, and ensuring they lead lives of dignity, independence, and purpose.
The Foundation is grounded in a deep sense of compassion, equality, and social justice, with the goal of creating a world where widows are not marginalized, but celebrated for their resilience and strength.
At the well organized event held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Christ Disciples Parish, Surulere, Lagos, which the Resident Pastor, Richard Umoren, graciously gave out for the occasion, the Foundation released diverse and assorted food items to deserving widows, as well as conducted free medical checkups to ascertain the state of their health, using the best of medical personnels, drawn from the Christian Medical and Dental Association, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) chapter.
Originally planned to cater for the welfare of a maximum of 100 widows, the Foundation ended up catering for 250 as women, who needed assistance continued to surge into the arena, and were well catered for.
In her address during the event, the Founder, Spring of Joy Widows Foundation, Mrs. Anastiasia Daniel, who spoke from her base in the United States of America, appreciated the women for turning out in their numbers, and revealed that help has come in the form of the Foundation, to cushion the effects and mitigate every challenge they have been going through.
“I’ll like you to know that you are not alone in this journey as we are here to walk alongside with you every step of the way,” Mrs Daniel assures the widows.
Below is the detailed speech of the Founder, Mrs. Daniel:
“My name is Anastasia Ndidiamaka Daniel, and I am the founder of Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation. I would like to send out a warm welcome to all the widows who have graced us with their presence today at the Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation food pantry and medical checkup. We are deeply honored and humbled by your presence here.
Today marks a special occasion as we gather not only to provide essential support but also to celebrate the strength, resilience and spirit of the incredible women in our community. Your presence here is a testament to your courage and determination in facing life’s challenges with grace and dignity. The Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation is committed to serving and uplifting widows in our community. An event like what we are having today, the food pantry and medical checkup are just one way we strive to fulfil that mission. Through the generosity of our donors, our volunteers and our supporters all over the world, we are able to provide vital resources and services to ensure your well-being and empower you on your journey forward. As you partake in today’s food pantry, medical checkup and also counseling session, i would like to encourage you to not only avail yourselves of the practical assistance provided but to also embrace the sense of community and solidarity that surrounds you. I would like you to know that you are not alone in this journey and we are here to work alongside with you every step of the way. I would like to recognize our dedicated volunteers and staff, If I am permitted I woulike to recognize certain persons too.
I would like to recognize first my dear husband, Pastor Samson Daniel for being a source of strength to me; he has been a backbone and my supporter. I want you to know that I love you and appreciate you. I want to say thank you for standing with me through this journey even the days I was down, I was scared and about to give up, you held my hands and said keep going. From the deepest part of my heart, I say thank you.
I would also like to appreciate my outreach coordinator, Apostle Paul Nwankwo of the Assemblies of God Church, who from the very beginning stood with me; a young lady he just met a couple of years ago, I say thank you.
I would also like to appreciate my personal assistant, Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite; thank you for your resilience, thank you for running with this vision, thank you for not giving up, thank you for all you have done, I am highly grateful.
I would like to thank Pastor Richard Omoren and Pastor (Mrs.) Richard Umoren for your great support to this food pantry and medical checkup; thank you for opening up the church for us to use. I want to thank the RCCG community for allowing Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation to partake or come in to do this, we are really grateful. Thank you for giving us a platform, we really appreciate you.
I would also like to say a big thank you to the provincial pastor, Pastor Supo Oluwasakin, I am grateful to you for taking out time to come out, and be a part of this food pantry and for being a source of encouragement and strength and support for the widows and everyone there, you have never met me before and you did this; Spring of Joy for Widows Foundation is highly grateful. I will also like to use this opportunity to thank the doctors from LUTH. Thank you for accepting our invitation, thank you for what you are doing today, thank you for taking care of our widows, and ensuring that they are healthy, we are grateful.
I would like to thank the amazing widows that came out today, I want to thank you for leaving your homes and coming here, you could have said you don’t want to come but you came.”
In his sermon at the humanitarian event, the guest Minister, and RCCG Assistant Provicial Pastor, Lagos Province 4 (LP4), Pastor Supo Oluwasakin, took the audience on a journey of the importance of giving, as it breeds returns. He charged everyone present to imbibe the attitude of giving, and always remember the less privileged in the society, who needs daily assistance.
A Nigerian citizen of Enugu extraction, and born in Lagos, Mrs. Daniel is an embodiment of compassion, who has taken it upon herself to contribute to the upliftment of the indigent, using the widows as a starting point.
She strongly believe that the fact that a woman has lost has husband, does not mean that she has lost her purpose, self-will and destiny goal, maintaining that “Every widow is still destined for greatness no matter the circumstances.”
This is the first leg of the food pantry and free medical checkup for Widows as undertaking by the Spring of Joy Foundation, and many more are bound to follow.
Mrs Daniel added further that come August 17, 2024, a formal launch of the Foundation will be held, in addition to a fundraising, at RCCG, Christ Disciples Parish, in Surulere, Lagos.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former bank staff member, Obinna Nwaobi, before the Federal High Court in Enugu over the alleged criminal diversion of a customer’s $510,000.
Nwaobi was brought before Justice C.O. Ajah on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, fraudulent conversion, and stealing.
The EFCC said he abused his position as a banking officer to illicitly divert funds entrusted to him by a customer.
According to the charge, Nwaobi allegedly received the sum of $510,000 from a customer under the guise of helping to manage and invest the funds but dishonestly converted the money to his personal use.
The offences, the Commission noted, violate Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act 2006 and Sections 342 and 343 of the Criminal Code Law of Enugu State.
The Commission stated that the alleged fraud was uncovered after the new generation bank where Nwaobi previously worked detected suspicious transfers linked to him.
An internal review reportedly confirmed the irregularities, prompting the bank to escalate the matter to the EFCC, which then opened a full-scale investigation leading to his arraignment.
A senior compliance officer of the bank explained that strengthened surveillance systems and routine monitoring helped detect the suspicious transactions early.
The bank, he said, remains committed to sanitising the financial sector by reinforcing its anti-fraud unit and investing in advanced tools that track unusual account activities in real time.
The bank reaffirmed its collaboration with law-enforcement agencies to ensure that any staff member involved in fraudulent activity is promptly identified and prosecuted as part of wider efforts to protect customer funds and bolster public confidence in the banking system.
Nwaobi pleaded not guilty to all charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel requested a trial date and asked the court to remand the defendant.
Justice Ajah ordered that he be remanded at the Enugu State Correctional Facility pending the determination of his bail application and adjourned the matter for further hearing.
By Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
“Leadership envisions the future, Power builds it, but only Control ensures it endures. In their deliberate synergy lies the architecture of all human progress,” – Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
Introduction: The Tripartite Foundation of Progress
At the heart of every significant human achievement—from the ascent of a thriving corporation to the resilience of a prosperous nation and the self-actualization of an individual—lies the potent interplay of three fundamental forces: Leadership, Power, and Control.
These concepts are often conflated or misunderstood. Yet, their distinct roles and synergistic relationship form the very bedrock upon which possibilities are envisioned and delivered. Leadership provides the vision and the compass; power furnishes the engine and the tools; and control ensures the steering and the governance. Together, they create an “architectonics of influence,” a deliberate framework for building a better future across all sectors of human endeavor.
Deconstructing the Core Concepts
- Leadership: The Compass of Purpose
Leadership is not merely a position; it is a process of social influence that maximizes the efforts of others toward achieving a goal. It is the domain of vision, inspiration, and emotional intelligence.
- For Peoples: Leadership manifests as mentorship, parenting, and community organizing. It empowers individuals to transcend their limitations, fostering personal growth, resilience, and a sense of agency.
- For Corporates: Leadership sets the strategic direction, cultivates culture, and inspires innovation. It is the force that aligns diverse talents toward a common mission, navigating market volatility and competitive pressures.
- For Nations: Leadership, at its best, articulates a national destiny, unites citizens around shared values, and steers the country through crises and opportunities on the global stage.
- Power: The Currency of Action
Power is the capacity to influence the behavior of others or the course of events. It is raw potential energy that, in itself, is neutral—its morality defined by its application. French and Raven’s classic bases of power provide a useful lens:
- Coercive & Reward Power: (Sticks and Carrots) Effective in the short term but often unsustainable, as they rely on external compliance rather than internal commitment.
- Legitimate Power: Derived from a formal position or title (e.g., CEO, Prime Minister).
- Expert Power: Granted based on knowledge, skills, and competence.
- Referent Power: The most potent form, earned through charisma, respect, and admirable qualities.
- Control: The Rudder of Stewardship
Control represents the systems, processes, and ethical frameworks that guide the application of power. It is the essential counterbalance that prevents power from becoming corrupt, arbitrary, or inefficient. Control is not about restriction, but about direction and stewardship.
- Mechanisms of Control: These include transparency, accountability, checks and balances, legal and regulatory frameworks, ethical codes of conduct, and performance metrics.
The Synergistic Equation: Leadership + Power + Control = Delivered Possibilities
The true impact occurs when these three elements are harmonized. Leadership without power is impotent; power without leadership is directionless; and both without control are dangerous.
The Formula for Impact: A visionary leader (Leadership) must wield appropriate forms of power (e.g., Expert and Referent) to mobilize resources and people. This application of power must then be channeled through robust control mechanisms to ensure it is effective, ethical, and aligned with the overarching goal. This synergy unlocks possibilities.
The Perils of Imbalance:
- Leadership without Power: The inspiring visionary with no authority or resources becomes a frustrated prophet, their ideas never materializing.
- Power without Leadership: The powerful but visionless authority figure (a tyrannical manager, a despotic ruler) creates chaos, stifles innovation, and leads to oppression or organizational decay.
- Power without Control: This is the definition of tyranny and corruption. It leads to the abuse of resources, the suppression of dissent, and ultimately, systemic failure (e.g., corporate scandals, state collapse).
Delivery Across Sectors: Peoples, Corporates, and Nations
- For Peoples: The Realm of Personal and Community Agency
- Leadership: Self-leadership—taking responsibility for one’s own growth and actions. Community leaders articulate a shared vision for neighborhood improvement.
- Power: The power of knowledge (Expert), the power of a strong network (Referent), and the collective power of organized action.
- Control: Personal discipline, ethical codes, and community-agreed rules of engagement.
- Delivered Possibilities: Empowered individuals achieve self-actualization. Cohesive communities solve local problems, foster social capital, and create environments where people can thrive.
- For Corporates: The Engine of Innovation and Value Creation
- Leadership: The CEO and C-suite set a compelling vision and culture. Middle managers translate strategy into action and empower their teams.
- Power: Legitimate power of hierarchy, expert power of specialized teams, and the referent power of a strong brand and respected leadership.
- Control: Corporate governance, board oversight, compliance departments, performance management systems, and a strong ethical culture.
- Delivered Possibilities: Sustainable profitability, market innovation, employee engagement and well-being, and long-term value for all stakeholders.
- For Nations: The Framework for Collective Prosperity and Stability
- Leadership: Elected officials, civil servants, and a judiciary that provide direction, uphold the law, and steward national resources.
- Power: The sovereign power of the state, derived from the consent of the governed (Legitimate), and exercised through institutions (military, judiciary, executive).
- Control: The Constitution, separation of powers, an independent judiciary, a free press, transparent elections, and anti-corruption watchdogs.
- Delivered Possibilities: Economic development, social justice, national security, public health, and the preservation of fundamental rights and freedoms—the foundation for a flourishing society.
The Indispensable Role of Control: From Stewardship to Possibilities
Control is the often-overlooked hero in this narrative. It is the difference between a dictator and a statesman, between a reckless conglomerate and a sustainable enterprise.
- Control Fosters Trust: Transparent and accountable systems build trust among citizens, employees, and investors, which is the currency of long-term collaboration.
- Control Enables Scalability: Without control mechanisms, organizations and nations cannot grow beyond a certain size without descending into inefficiency or chaos.
- Control Mitigates Risk: It provides the early warning systems and corrective actions that prevent catastrophic failures.
- Control Ensures Legitimacy: Power is seen as legitimate and worthy of support when it is exercised within a known and fair framework.
Conclusion: The Call for Conscious Stewardship
In a world of increasing complexity and interconnectedness, the deliberate and ethical management of leadership, power, and control is not a theoretical exercise—it is a practical imperative.
The ultimate delivery of possibilities—be it a child reaching their potential, a corporation pioneering a world-changing technology, or a nation achieving lasting peace and prosperity—rests on our collective ability to:
- Cultivate Leaders who are not only visionary but also humble, ethical, and empowered by referent and expert power.
- Wield Power consciously, recognizing its sources and its profound responsibility.
- Design and Uphold Control systems that are robust yet adaptable, ensuring that power is always a force for creation, not destruction.
The future does not simply happen; it is built. It is architected by those who understand that true, lasting power is the capacity to unlock human potential, and that the highest form of leadership is the stewardship of possibilities for all.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in History and International Studies, Fellow Certified Management Consultant & Specialist, Fellow Certified Human Resource Management Professional, a Recipient of the Nigerian RoleModels Award (2024), and a Distinguished Ambassador For World Peace (AMBP-UN). He has also gained inclusion in the prestigious compendium, “Nigeria @65: Leaders of Distinction”.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
