Education

FCE Stages Performance on Social Vices

By Web News 182

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The theatre community of the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, thrilled audiences with a compelling stage performance titled “Ajọṣe,” a play that highlights the importance of togetherness, empathy, and mutual understanding.

The stage performance titled “Ajose,” packaged by a non-governmental, NGO in partnership with the Federal College of Education, Abeokuta, told the story of family, rape, unsafe abortion, denied access to quality healthcare, and the communication gap between parents and children, featuring a talented cast.

Speaking at the end of the performance, Head of Department Dr. Adéníyì Oluwadamilare described “Ajọṣe” as a collective effort aimed at finding solutions to social challenges and encouraging students to speak up about issues affecting them.

He urged parents to monitor their children and ensure that their use of social media and the internet adds value to their academic performance.

Also speaking, the co-ordinator of NGO, Mr Dámilolá shodiya noted that the essence of the programme was to help find solutions to problems without condemnation or judging people, to prevent unsafe abortion depression and suicidal action.

He advised the students to utilize the message of the performance in all their endeavours, spread the message to other students on campus, and urged people to always support one another.

Speaking on the lessons learnt from the play, some of the students, Mr Faruq Elebiju and Olokojobi Odunayo, stressed the need for people, especially youths, to always speak out whenever they are in trouble. 

They also advised parents to stay close to their children to prevent them from being misled by strangers.

Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi

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Education

Customs, NGO Collaborate on Education

By Web News 254

By Olusegun Folarin

The Nigeria Customs Service has encouraged the residents of border communities to spare no efforts in ensuring the educational progression of their children and wards as Ogun One Area Command collaborates with a Non-Governmental Organization, NGO, to offer educational materials to pupils.

The Ogun Area Command of the Nigeria Customs in collaboration with the NGO, Teach for Nigeria supported 100 primary school pupils, selected from 5 schools in Idiroko axis of Ipokia Local Government Area of the State with school uniforms and educational materials.

Addressing the people at Idiroko during the presentation of the items, the Customs Area Controller, Mr Ahmadu Shuaibu expressed optimism that the gesture would enhance the pupils’ access to learning and urged the parents and guardians not to relent in encouraging the young ones to acquire knowledge.

Mr Shuaibu, who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller Administration, Mr Charles Ogunesan congratulated the beneficiaries of the initiative and also applauded the NGO for making such a great impact.

In a remark, The Ipokia Local Government Education Secretary, Alhaja Ireti Oduntan commended the collaborative efforts of the Nigerian Customs Service and the NGO towards uplifting the learning condition of the pupils.

Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, A primary 5 pupil of Community Primary School, Igbo Adigun, Hunnesi Florence appreciated the donors for supporting them with a set of uniforms and writing materials, including books, stationeries, chalks and whiteboard markers for the use of selected schools.

The event was witnessed by the management team of Ogun One Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, representatives of the Department of State Security, members of education administration boards, head teachers of various schools, parents and representatives of Idiroko youths among others.

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Human Angle

Oyo, NGO Collaborate on Alternative Care For Vulnerable Children

By Web News 790

By Lilian Ibomor

Oyo State Government in collaboration with a non- governmental organization , SOS Village, Nigeria have set up a 30-member Technical Working Group (TWG) to come up with guidelines for alternative care for vulnerable children in Oyo state. 

The Technical Working Group was inaugurated after a two -day capacity building for stakeholders on Tuesday at the University of Ibadan hotel 

Members comprises state government officials from the Ministry of Women Affairs And Social Inclusion , Health, Education, Local government as well as representatives of civil society organizations and the Christian and Muslim community in the state. 

Others include representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp, Nigeria Immigration, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficked Persons (NAPTIP)   

The permanent secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Women Affairs And Social Inclusion Mrs Grace Oderinde who is the Head of the Committee enjoined members to ensure that the right policies that will bring relief and hope to venerable children in the state were put in place. 

Oderinde while describing as deplorable and pathetic, the living conditions of vulnerable children in orphanages charged the group to fashion out appreciate alternative care programmes and as being done in advanced countries of the world for these categories of children. 

In an interview, Oderinde described the seminar as an eye-opener for everyone to see the need to bring children in orphanages into families so they too can have better care and have a good life. 

According to her, Instead of looking for a house girl or boy, imagine if every family picked one of them and they care for them as if they are their biological child, our society will be better today. 

The permanent secretary assured that bottlenecks usually experienced in the processes of child adoption is being reviewed, urging couples who are looking for ‘fruits of the womb’ to adopt a child in any of the orphanages rather than die of stress or emotional trauma adding that a child raised in a family would exhibit Better behavior when they grow up than those raised in orphanages.

She also commended the effort of the SOS. Village, Nigeria for coming up with the programme aimed at providing a guideline for alternative care for vulnerable children in the state.

The Deputy National Director, SOS Childrens Village, Nigeria, Ayodeji Adelopo told newsmen that the objective of the two -day training has become necessary as a result of the need to improve and put in place quality alternative care in the state

“It is to ensure that children who do not have the privilege of living with their families and who are being looked after receives quality care and also to define a range of alternative care so that according to the United Nations guideline on alternative care, the principles of necessity suitability are considered in placing children on alternative care 

Speaking on behalf of the Civil Society Organizations in Oyo state, the State Coordinator, Association For Orphans and Vulnerable children in Nigeria(AONN) who also doubles as the Founder and Executive Director of FRONTIDA ZOIS Initiative (FZI) ,Mrs Petra Ogunfowokan , maintained that so many vulnerable children in the state lacks access quality education, nutrition and good shelter . 

“We have street children concerns , issues around protection, children exposed to abuse, all forms of violations against their rights and these are burdens in our hearts. Most of these concerns are as a result of poverty at the household levels. “she said 

Representatives of the Christian and Muslim faith at the event, Pastor Leye Adefioye, who is also the President, Rest Anchor Total Child Parenting Association Foundation and Alhaji Suleiman Abanise representing the Muslim community in Oyo state said the training will provide an umbrella advantage for vulnerable children to have relief from all stakeholders such as government, Civil Society Organizations and even religion bodies. 

The SOS Village is an international non-governmental organization spread across 137 countries of the world including Nigeria with passion for the welfare and care for vulnerable children across the globe.

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Lifestyle

NGO Charges Youths to Set Worthwhile Goals

By Web News 564

Youths have been advised to set goals and work towards achieving them in life.

Founder of a nongovernmental organization ‘The Virtuous Girl Child Foundation, Mrs Funmilayo Komolafe gave the advice at a seminar held in Ibadan.

Mrs Komolafe noted that the foundation, which started about seven years ago, was borne out of the need to encourage youths to be useful to themselves and society while maintaining their chastity.

Mrs Komolafe said her passion for the girl child came into being after she had a dream.

She said “in 2015 when I was serving my father land in Lokoja, my then pastor in a sermon told us to make a difference in society. There and then I started thinking of how to set goals. When I slept, I had a vision where I was talking to teenagers, and precisely on October 8, 2015, in Lokoja, I started visiting schools to talk to youths, especially the girl child.”

Similarly, a youth instructor, Mrs Grace Ojetunde urged the youths present at the programme to discover their purposes in life early and never relent in achieving them.

Mrs Ojetunde noted that while teenagers still had the strength, they should always use it in profitable ways and avoid social vices.

One of the programme conveners, Mrs Helen Olayiwola, while speaking on the topic ‘The Impact of Education on the Upcoming Generation and Achieving Academic Goals through the Help of God, said education was needed in order to stand before great people in life.

Mrs Olayiwola urged youths to be consistent in whatever goals they set for themselves.

A youth counsellor, Mrs Adetutu Samson speaking on the topic “Achieving Sexual Purity Goals through the Help of God cautioned teenagers against reading or watching pornographic materials.

The Chief Host of the programme, Prophetess Esther Adebayo of Christ Followers Evangelical Church, Ilugushi Estate off Kala Road, admonished the youths present to always seek the help of God, as he alone could guide them in life.

Prophetess Adebayo said without goals humans would keep toiling in vain.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to supportive members of the foundation including the mother of the Programme Convener Mrs Dupe Tunde Abiodun.

Present at the event was the Deputy Directors News, FRCN, Ibadan National Station, Asiwaju S.T Abiodun and Mr Adewunmi Faniran.

The theme of this year’s Seminar is ‘Doing all things through Christ who strengthens.

Lilian Ibomor

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Lifestyle

Don’t relent in helping less-privileged Nigerians – NGO

By Web News 894

Public-spirited Nigerians should not relent in coming to the aid of youths and the less-privileged in the country.

Chief Executive Officer, Fortunate Michael Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, NGO, Mr Michael Oloruntola said this during a training and empowerment programme for over a hundred students and the less-privileged held at the Community Grammar School Eyini, Orita Challenge, Ibadan.

Mr Oloruntola who explained that the economic situation in the country was taking a serious toll on the youths and the less privileged, said his NGO had helped many indigent students from different orphanages.

“This foundation is not meant for only students, it is meant for the society majorly, not the less-privileged alone. Government cannot do it alone.”

Speaking at the event, Principal, Community Grammar School Eyinni, Mrs Bolanle Sotikare said the training had been quite valuable as it equally touched on issues of sexuality education and personal hygiene.

“The students don’t know much about sex education, therefore they believe sex education is for having sex with each other and talking about sex education is far more than having sex with each other. Sex education should be encouraged to be taught in every school.”

Dr Sotikare said it was vital that parents created time for their children at home to learn some of the basics things of life.

Participants in the programme received training in Fashion Designing, Catering and tying of Head-gears.

The event also featured quizzes and debates between students of Eyinni High School and Basorun Ogunmola High School, who were later presented with gifts.

Funmilola Obagbayegun

Health

Expert Advocates Genotype Compatibility Test Before Marriage

By Web News 1185

Compatibility tests such as checking of genotype must be taken seriously and carried out before getting married to avoid resultant effects after the wedding.  

Founder of a Non-Governmental Organisation on care and support for people living with sickle cell, Professor Adeyinka Falusi stated this at a free medical outreach for sickle cell patients at the University College Hospital, UCH Ibadan.

Professor Falusi noted that Nigeria ranks first in the world on the prevalence chart of sickle cell disease thus advocating for the prevention of the disease which she said is far better than its management as the only way out which is bone marrow transplant is too expensive and of reach of many.

She noted that caring for people living with sickle cell Anemia had been quite challenging, saying “ at the top of the challenges is funding because the care of a person living with sickle cell anemia is very costly, they get to hospitals and they don’t have facilities needed for their care“

“Developed countries pay a huge amount to anyone who uses their precious time to assist people with ailments and Special needs”

Professor Falusi who is also a retired Professor of Hematology noted that her NGO which is a non-profit based, had empowered sickle cell patients and would not relent if she is assisted by kindhearted people and the government.

A participant, Mrs Kafayat Abiola who is a mother of a sickle cell patient enjoined people to patronize certified laboratories while carrying out the compatibility test as she is a victim of a wrong diagnosis.

Narrating her story Mrs Abiola said “ I’m a living victim of such wrong laboratory reading, I did my genotype test at a laboratory in Ibadan when I wanted to get married and  unfortunately I was given a wrong result that I’m AA but was later called back that I’m AS”

“My husband went for a test too and the result given to him said he’s AA so we decided to go on with our wedding but when we started having children our third child has SS genotype, meaning my husband was given wrong test result too”

A pharmacist with the University College Hospital, Mariam Lawal who is a sickle cell patient urged patients with the disease not to be deterred to attain any height in life.

Mrs Lawal who despite her health status is a trained pharmacist urged people living with the disease to adhere strictly to safe health practices such as using their drugs regularly, avoiding walking in rain and drinking cold things. 

Lilian Ibomor

Economy News

Wife Of Oyo State Governor,Tamunomini Advocates Partnership In Infrastructures

By Web News 907

Wife of the Oyo state governor, Mrs Tamunomini Makinde wants well to do Nigerians and NGO to continue to partner government in infrastructure development. 
Mrs Makinde made this known while commissioning a solar powered facility at the female hostel of the Oyo state rehabilitation center for persons with disabilities. 
 Mrs Makinde who commended the gesture tasked other wealthy individuals not to relent in giving back to the society. 
She noted that since government had a huge task before it, philanthropic gestures were welcomed by good spirited individuals.
Chief Executive officer of the energy company that donated the solar facility to the center, Mr Emeka Nwankwo, said rendering helping hands to humanity especially vulnerable members of the society was a good gesture.

Also speaking, director social welfare,in the Ministry of women affairs and social inclusion, Mr Olubukola Akande described the gesture as a welcome corporate social responsibility.
The solar and energy storage facility which has a 5 kilohertz battery and can last 20hours when fully charged was donated to ease the challenges of epileptic power supply at the hostel.

Seyifunmi Olarinde

Lifestyle

NGO Sensitises Women On Personal Well Being

By Web News 673

The Executive Director of a Non- Governmental Organisation, Kids and Teens Resources Centre, Martin -Mary Falana has stressed the need for women to take decisions on issues concerning their health and wellbeing.

Martin -Mary Falana made this assertion while speaking with network of health journalist on the issues of reproductive health and its challenges to commemorate international women’s day in Akure.

He noted that over time cultural norms and ideologies had impeded women from having a say to issues that affect their health thereby resulting to death.

The gender right Advocate also identifies early marriage, sexual violence, unplanned pregnancy, HIV/AIDs as some of the problem that limit the capacity of the girl-child.

Martin -Mary Falana noted that young people should have access to appropriate information through parent child communication and counselling in school on sexual and reproductive matters.

Olufisoye Adenitan