Saturday, May 24, 2014 53
THE GUARDIAN www.ngrguardiannews.com
NEWSINTERVIEW
Teensed Foundation Holds Forum For Teenagers TEENSED Foundation, a non-governmental organisation working on the economic and social development of teenagers held a forum for secondary school students in Lagos last Tuesday. By Ekwy P. Uzoanya EENSED Foundation, a non-govT ernmental organisation focused on the economic and social development of teenagers made good its commitment to put this group of the population on the right track of achieving successful life at a forum in Lagos last Tuesday. The event tagged, “Teenagers Forum,” organised in collaboration with Ifako Ijaiye Local Government brought together students from over 13 private and public secondary schools at the Ifako Ijaiye Local Government Area office. It provided an opportunity to showcase the talents of the students in different performances such as song, dance, poetry and public speaking. Schools represented at the school included African Church Model College, Iju Grammar School, Universal White Hall, Bizben College, Camel Group of Schools, Peace College and McRoyal College. The president and founder of the organisation, Mrs. Ogechukwu Ezeokoli said that the interactive event was put together to encourage the teenagers and teach them what they need to know in making decisions about life. According to her, it is important to give them quality information at this stage and life generally so that they will be responsible and maximise their potentials. The Guest of Honour at the programme, wife of the Chairman of Ifako Ijaiye Local Government, Mrs. Modupe Oke, who was represented
by Hon. (Mrs.) Toyin Akerele told the students to be serious with their studies while looking ahead to achieve their goals in life. She cautioned them against keeping bad company and to be of good behaviour in all that they do. The facilitator, Omowunmi Julius in her talk on “The Power of Choice and Memory,” asked the students to know that the choice they make determines their course in life. She said: “What you want to become is your choice. Do not think you are too young to make a choice of what you want to become. Before you make a choice, think seriously of what it can lead to. Think of the choices you make the next minute, next day. “Define where you want to be in the next 10 years and make choices that you will look back in 20 years and smile about what you’ve done with your time, and not feel as if you want to turn back the hand of the clock. If you’ve already made a choice that has not augured well for you so far, it’s never too late to make amends.” Mr. Ekundayo Akinwale in his talk on what it means being a teenager directed their minds to the importance of understanding their purpose and pursuing it with determination. “How you pass through life is your story. Let there be more to your life than money, and pray God to help you pursue it with the whole of your life. You can start at low level and get to the highest point by pursuing your purpose in life. Success
President and founder of Teensed Foundation, Mrs. Ogechukwu Ezeokoli (fourth left), winners of speech making competition and others at the forum. requires determination. Use what is available in the environment to achieve your purpose,” he said. There was also impromptu speech competition on various topics for the schools, and presentation of gifts to winners. Ezeokoli, who is also the vice principal of Bizben College, Iju, Lagos, later told The Guardian about the vision that culminated in setting up the foundation. “I realised that teenagers have a lot of challenges; they face peer pressure everywhere, they are confused, they don’t know what to do at a particular time. The parents are saying one thing, school is saying another thing, and society is saying something else. So, we are telling them that they have the right
to choose what they want based on their values, and the earlier they make these choices, the better for them.” She narrated how it all began: “The vision came in 2006 but fear of launching out was there. I was asking myself, ‘Where will I start, where will I go?’ But I was doing it one-on-one with teenagers. But 2012, I found the courage for me to start out. We got registered last year and we are out to follow through our vision, and I believe God that we are not stopping.” Her experience growing up, however, was the motivation for the work. “I realised that my growing up wasn’t so good based on my family background, and it was God that actually helped me with people around
because my parents were not there; they were divorced, and it really taught me that I didn’t have somebody to teach me what I needed to know. That was my story. So, if someone outside my parents could tell me what I needed to know, I need to also inform other young people what they should know and prepare well for their life.” Finance, she said, is the main challenge faced in running the foundation. “You know gathering children together, you must feed them. We tried going to organisations to help us but some of them felt that they didn’t know us. But thank God for Fan Milk Plc, UAC Foods, Learn Africa Plc, and some individuals that believed in us and supported us.”
OROL Marks 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial By Tunde Akinola AY 18th, 2014 brought M with it another international event for OROL Youth Empowerment Initiative. The International Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Candlelight Memorial, coordinated by the Global Network of People living with Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is one of the world’s oldest and largest grassroots mobilization campaigns for HIV awareness in the world, which started in the year 1983. The theme of the 31st International AIDS Candlelight Memorial held at Millennium Park, Abuja was “Let’s Keep the Light on HIV”. On this day, for the 31st time, grassroots organizations worldwide marked the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial. Young people from OROL raised awareness around HIV, stood together with people living with HIV and remember the loved ones lost to HIV and AIDS. During the event, many young people also got tested of HIV, courtesy of AIDS HEALTH CARE FOUNDATION (AHF) The CEO of OROL Youth Empowerment Initiative, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje mentioned during the opening ceremony that the 31st AIDS Candlelight Memorial wouldn’t have been a great success without the overwhelming support that Nigerian Export Import Bank gave them. He mentioned
His Royal Majesty Eze Godson Ezekwesili ( Och 1 of Isuochi ), right, congratulating Senator Nkechi Nwaogu at the event.
How Monarch Marked 40th Year On Throne In Abia From Gordi Udeajah - Umuahia T was with pomp and pageantry that the traditional ruler and Ochi 1 of Isuochi in IUmmunneochi Local Council, Abia State, His
that Nexim Bank is committed to their work, their enthusiasm and their support for the next generation is a powerful testimony and example. The memorial was the happening spot for all things ‘edutainment’, and all things OROL. OROL showcased a theme relevant drama at the event. The plot of their drama told the story of a young lady who had lost her parents at a tender age, thus losing her financial support and relegated to street hawking, vulnerability, and ultimately contacting HIV. The drama aimed at educating
people about the effect of stigma on the people living with HIV/AIDS and also addressing the myths attached to HIV/AIDS. The memorial presented new knowledge on the major issues facing the global response to HIV especially on the issues of stigma and discrimination. At the event other partners such as Association for Positive Youth in Nigeria (APYIN), Pop Council, ARFH and other also gave good will messages. Followed by music presentations and lighting of candles to honor those who had died of AIDS.
Royal Majesty Eze Godson Ezekwesili marked his 40th year in office recently, thanking God for keeping him alive, healthy and making his reign successful. The traditional ruler who is the immediate past deputy chairman of the state traditional rulers council gave kudos to the State Governor, Dr. Theodore Orji for collaborating with and involving traditional rulers in running the affairs of the state He however remarked that traditional rulership is tasking and not very rosy all the time and endorsed calls in some quarters for traditional rulers in the country to be more involved in the administration of the country by being assigned specific roles by the constitution. Highpoint of the colourful ceremony that attracted dignitaries from within and outside the state including top government officials, was the conferment of the honorary chieftaincy title of " Ihie Abia 1 of Isuochi" ( Light of Abia in Isuochi) by the revered traditional ruler on Senator Chief Mrs Nkechi Nwaogu. Senator Nwaogu who is of Ngwa stock repre-
sents Abia Central in the Senate and not Abia North that has Senator Comrade Uche Chukwumerije who reportedly by his principle, does not accept Chieftaincy titles preferred to be addressed as 'Comrade'. The traditional ruler while acknowledging and commending the reported achievements of Senator Nwaogu at the National Assembly in which she is serving her third term consecutively, described her as a daughter Abians and indeed Ndigbo were always well pleased with and reposed confidence in. Senator Nwaogu expressing her elation for being so honored with the Chieftaincy title of "Ihe Abia 1 of Isuochi " outside her Abia Central Senatorial District by the revered monarch, said , “my joy knows no bounds. This honour bestowed on me by the 'Ochi 1 of Isuochi' is unique and will continue to be proud of it". She commended Abia traditional rulers for ably collaborating progressively with the state government in the maintenance of peace and security among others noting that already, the Senate was favorably disposed to considering assigning undisclosed specific constitutional roles to traditional rulers in the country in addition to their maintaining peace and stability and upholding the culture and tradition of their communities.