That’s what it was for the Pupils and Staff of Helena Schools on the occasion of the Commissioning of the Water Borehole donated to the School by Mrs. Nigeria|Tourism United Nations World some days ago.
The warm reception, prayers, hugs, high-energy-yet-emotional songs showered on the Beauty Queen by the Pupils are gifts that shall forever be cherished. The gratification that comes with knowing that your “little” may have translated to “so much” for some, is simply priceless!
In her words, “neither Crowns nor Sashes are required to engage in acts of charity, a beautiful cause wherein nothing is ever too small”.
Special thanks to God for the life, health, willingness and resources to have been able to get this far, while praying for His continued special grace to do much more and leave more positive prints across many lives, and by extension, the world.
Deepest appreciation to Ms. Maria Svensson for all the love and support which she has offered in more ways than just financial, from Month 1 of this journey up until this moment. God bless her everyday.
So, before this begins to sound like a valedictory speech, enjoy the attached photos.
It has been many weeks of “giving back” activities in the nationwide Test and Treat Malaria Outreach program powered by WABIO Foundation and NESH Foundation, in partnership with the Association Of Local Governments Of Nigeria (ALGON), and in collaboration with State Primary Healthcare Development Agencies (SPHCDA) and National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP).
The nature of this outreach program is unique, in that it affords Sponsors the liberty to choose the Local Government Area they’d like their donations sent to.
Each Test and Treat Malaria pack contains simple and convenient NAFDAC-approved Do-It-Yourself Urine Malaria Test (UMT) kits as well as ACT medication to be distributed for free to low-income Nigerian families. The plan is to reach 50,000 households in every State in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory.
The support so far from Corporate Nigeria, Parastatals and public-spirited individuals, has been overwhelming, and underscores the increasing national awareness for broad-based stakeholder intervention in proper malaria case management.
WABIO Foundation Founder, Ebele Enemchukwu and Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju, Founder of NESH, were in Asaba, the Delta State Capital to mark the official commencement of the distribution phase of the 5-year program.
The event which held at the Delta State Government House, in the office of the Secretary to The State Government, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, had in attendance, the Honorable Commissioner Of Health, Delta State, Dr. Mordi Ononye; Hon. Itiako Malik Ikpokpo, the Chief Of Staff and representative of the President of ALGON, Hon. Kolade Alabi; Representative of the IBRU Organization, Hon. Kenneth Ibru; Hon. Princess Pat Ajudua, Chief Whip, Delta State House Of Assembly; Rt. Hon. Ocho C. Ochor, Deputy Speaker, Delta State House Of Assembly. Representatives from NMEP, Fyodor Biotechnologies (manufacturers of the UMT Kits), as well as ladies and gentlemen of the Press.
In her opening remarks, Ebele Enemchukwu stated that Asaba was chosen because the Governor of Delta State, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa is a Medical Doctor himself, and the donation being made was by the IBRU Organisation, whose Founder, Late Olorogun Michael Ibru, was a foremost Nigerian Entrepreneur, and whose son, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, is the current Executive Chairman.
With disturbing statistics on annual malaria cases and associated deaths shared, Mrs. Enemchukwu enlightened everyone on the reason for embarking on the nationwide campaign, especially at this time of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The Founder of NESH, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju added that like WABIO Founder had stated, the campaign was our way of contributing to the actualization of the ZERO MALARIA goal by the year, 2030. “The core message remains”, he added, “TEST before you TREAT!”
As a final Speaker at the event, the SSG, Barrister Chiedu Ebie, on behalf of the Governor and beautiful people of Delta State, extended appreciation to the Team, while emphasising the need for more of such collaborations in the future.
When the official segment was done, onward movement of the materials continued to Agbarha-Otor, Ughelli North, hometown of the IBRU Dynasty and chosen Local Government Area for the distribution. Reports to come in soon.
Special thanks to the IBRU Group, NNPC/Total & Partners, Stanbic IBTC Bank, NLNG, FERMA, Engr. Uzodike Ajulu (CEO, Cutix Plc.), Airtel Nigeria, United Nigeria Airlines, Nigerian Governors’ Forum, for their redeemed and pledged support towards the program, while believing that more Corporates and public-spirited individuals shall rise to this worthy cause. Next stop is Lagos State
https://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WF-TREATMALARIA-CAMPAIGN-1.jpg9882048adminhttp://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WABIO_Logo_color.pngadmin2021-01-14 14:39:452022-09-16 07:34:35WABIO FOUNDATION, NESH, COMMENCE NATIONWIDE TEST & TREAT MALARIA CAMPAIGN IN ASABA, HOSTED BY DELTA STATE GOVERNMENT.
In line with the ongoing nationwide Prevent, Test and Treat Malaria Outreach program by WABIO and NESH Foundations, Lagos State received Medical supplies comprising Urine Malaria Test (UMT) Kits and ACT medication targeted for the benefit of low-income Nigerian families.
This batch of donation, made possible through the generous support of NNPC/Total and Partners, IBRU Organisation and Stanbic IBTC, will provide the resources to test and treat malaria for no fewer than 5,000 individuals, in line with the national guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of malaria which insist on testing BEFORE treating.
The official presentation which held at the Folarin-Coker Staff Clinic, Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, had in attendance, the State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; the Chief Consultant Epidemiologist of the Federal Ministry Of Health, Dr. Godwin Ntadom; Director, WHO/ANDI (African Network for Drugs and Diagnostics Innovation) Centre, College of Medicine, University Of Lagos, Prof. Wellington Oyibo; Dr. Audu Bala Mohammed, the immediate past National Coordinator, National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP); Representatives of some of our Collaborators and Donors, including the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), NMEP, IBRU Organization; Directors from the Ministry of Health; Representatives from Fyodor Biotechnologies, manufacturers of the UMT Kits; the Founder of NESH, Mr. Emeka Ugwu-Oju; the Founder of WABIO Foundation, Mrs. Ebele Enemchukwu; many others.
Even though a brief event, there was ample room for goodwill messages from the Senior Special Assistant To The President On Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency, Princess Adejoke Orelope Adefulire, and the National Coordinator of NMEP, Dr. Perpetua Uhomoibhi, as delivered by the Founder of NESH.
The SSA to the President was spot-on in her remarks regarding the event, when she said that “What we all witness here is an act of solidarity, partnership and an effective inter-sectoral collaboration between both State and non-state actors; public and private institutions as enshrined in the SDG17 and 2030 Agenda which has recognized the key role of the private sectors in the SDGs implementation especially at the community level. This is a clear demonstration of commitment and huge stakeholders support to government policies, plans and strategies towards the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Nigeria.”
Her speech gave way for that by the Founder of WABIO Foundation, Mrs. Enemchukwu, who provided further insight into the purpose of the event and alongside Mr. Ugwu-Oju, immediately followed that with the official presentation of the medical supplies to Lagos State which was thankfully received by the Honorable Commissioner, Professor Akin Abayomi.
Typical of a great Host, Prof. Abayomi, was the last one to take to the microphone for speeches and seized the opportunity to commend WABIO and NESH for the initiative and partnership, while also thanking the Donors – NNPC/Total & Partners, IBRU Organization and Stanbic IBTC Bank – for their support and choice of Lagos State for the donation.
The Prevent, Test and Treat Malaria Outreach program planned for a five-year duration, is unique in that it affords Sponsors the liberty to choose wherever within Nigeria they would like their donations sent to. It was for this reason that the IBRU Organisation, as an example, made donations in Local Government Areas in both Delta and Lagos States, being locations of their hometown and work environment respectively.
We continue to call on Corporate Nigeria, Public-spirited individuals, Health-focused Foundations and Organizations, to lend support to our campaign towards the actualization of ZERO MALARIA by the year 2030. The current statistics are disturbing, and re-echoing what Ebele Enemchukwu said while concluding her address at the event, “there’s so much work to be done and it is not enough to sit and hope that something happens. We must all rise and take ACTION”.
Once again, many thanks to NNPC/Total and Partners, IBRU Organisation and Stanbic IBTC, while equally extending same to all who have pledged their support. Special thanks to Channels television for the amazing coverage.
It shall be a great year of doing good. We embrace it.-
https://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/WF-DONATION-OF-MED-SUPPLIES-2.jpg17942048adminhttp://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WABIO_Logo_color.pngadmin2021-01-14 14:35:012022-09-16 07:27:43WABIO FOUNDATION AND NESH, SUPPORTED BY CORPORATE NIGERIA, DONATE MEDICAL SUPPLIES TO LAGOS STATE, HOSTED BY THE COMMISSIONER OF HEALTH.
It was a weekend well spent with the residents of Ikate Community. ‘Shielding’ this area are the mansions and other magnificent pieces of architectural excellence which are seen when one drives along the highway.
Mrs. Tourism will forever remain grateful to both the National and International Organisers of the United Nations Pageants for the life-changing exposure these titles continue to provide on a daily basis.
I sure had fun with the indigenes, especially the boisterous children and women. Some of the women said they’d like to be like Mrs. Tourism, but when the ‘test of faith’ came, and they were asked to replace their sodas with water, they failed. “Aunty, abeg give me mineras, I no wan water (Aunty, please give me soda, I don’t need water)” Haahaha! On a pathetic note, I may never understand why a child would decide to dig the ground, bury his food, with the hope of joining the queue for another pack. He was nabbed by our anti-corruption unit. Really sad! May God equip all parents/Guardians/Caregivers with everything needed to raise our children aright.
Special appreciation first to God Almighty for the resources, strength and health to successfully execute this project. To Maria Svensson, my third Mum (after my biological mother and mother-in-law) for all the love and support that go way beyond just financial. Thank You Ma! Mr. Hafeez Shotande, thank you for your interest and contribution towards this. Obehi (my connection guru for this project), Kemoncé, Adibuah, Deji, you guys are the best! Mr. Pascal Obiwulu, your expertise as a three-time father made all the difference, and was visible in the way you engaged the children. There was no dull moment. Peter, Ruth, Mmesoma Kanu, coordination would have difficult had it not been for you. Daniel, thank you for capturing these beautiful moments
https://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/wf-ikate-2.jpg658960adminhttp://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WABIO_Logo_color.pngadmin2016-06-06 09:16:152022-09-19 09:17:23CHARITY AT IKATE: FROM OUR KITCHEN TO THEIR COMMUNITY!
The second charity visit was equally as interesting and rewarding as the first. I spent quality time with the students of Modupe Cole Child Care & Treatment Home School.
I’m not sure how to correctly capture in words, what/how I felt by my encounter with the lively occupants of this home. To make it easier to understand, it’s a school for the physically and/or mentally challenged! Of the many lessons and realities I was exposed to, one that will linger on is the reminder that we should always be grateful for the gifts we have. When we complain about the many things we wish we had, remember to say “Thank you Father” for that which you have……physical health ….mental health…for family….the freedom to move around on two feet when and to where we please…..for EVERYTHING! I’m certain they didn’t choose this life! Who would anyway?
Interestingly, in all the visits I have made to various homes, I can safely say that this group has been the most energetic and entertaining! Those who could speak asked me questions (verbally and with gestures), shared their names and the names of those who couldn’t speak (Bashirat, Anuoluwapo, Michael), some asked to have shots with me (the home allows this, probably because chances of reintegrating into the society is slim), and then my favourite part……. they sang the loudest birthday song I ever heard! As much as I enjoyed it, I kept wondering how November became the new May (my birthday month). It then hit me that it was likely owing to the fact that they had hosted visitors who chose to celebrate their birthdays at the home. So to them, I was another birthday celebrant! Very sweet nonetheless!! They finished up with an even louder “Hip! Hip!! Hip!!!…… to which we responded Hurray!!! in unison”
We should all experience that sense of fulfilment which comes with knowing you just made a difference (big or small)! I couldn’t agree more with the saying that it is indeed more blessed to give than receive.
Special thanks to Maria Svensson and Pastor Christian Ike for their support and contribution towards the successful execution of this project. God bless you abundantly, and supply your needs according to His riches in glory…..Amen.
There’s room for whoever wishes to join me on any of my future charity projects.
God bless us all always!
https://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/wf-mcc-1.jpg602906adminhttp://wabiofoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/WABIO_Logo_color.pngadmin2015-11-30 09:41:022022-09-19 09:42:47Mrs. Tourism visits Modupe Cole Child Care & Treatment Home School
