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Succor For Less-Privileged In Nigerian As GEO Foundation Is Launched
BY ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM, ABUJA
Mr. Ozil Moses (Mr. GEO), the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the GEO Empathy Foundation has stated that the unveiling of the humanitarian foundation today is all about ensuring that people across the FCT, Nigeria, doesn’t go home hungry.
Addressing journalists during the foundation’s unveiling in Abuja on Friday January 19, 2024 at Hanan Plaza Wuse 2, Ozil emphasized that the primary objective is to focus on people in the streets.
“I have nurtured this idea since my university days, and upon coming to Abuja and meeting Amb. Kingsley Amafibe, I felt it was good to use the vast experience I’ve garnered over the years to come to limelight. His assistance in various ways has enlightened me, reinforcing my belief that there is nothing in life that I cannot achieve. Today, we are here, “he added.
Speaking about the rationale behind the foundation, he explained that he grew up without access to good healthcare, standard education, and lacked direction in life.
“Sincerely, at some point in my life, I was lost and found myself in gambling. I want to use this platform to sensitise children who find themselves heading in that direction.”
Providing a breakdown of the foundation’s activities, Ozil stated, “For the first quarter of the year, our focus will be on ensuring as many people as possible do not go to bed hungry, especially in the rural areas of Abuja.
“We also intend to financially assist small businesses. The second quarter will involve scouting for talents across area councils, hosting a stakeholders’ conference, and connecting these young people with supportive individuals.
“The third quarter will be health-focused, with medical outreaches covering malaria and eye-related challenges. The last quarter will feature our back-to-school program, targeting public and low-fee private schools, providing essentials for students.
“This is a cause that you should support and a seed that you should water. Your support, be it a pair of school shoes or basic supplies, will go a long way.
Ozil noted that the program would be consistent, with efforts to reach as many people as possible. “Today might be 50, and the next day might be 200; it depends on the support we receive from the general public.”
Amb. Kingsley Amafibe, Founder of Peace Ambassador Agency Worldwide, emphasized the urgency of the Geo Empathy Foundation in addressing hunger and insecurity was necessary.
He called on the federal government and non-governmental organizations to partner with the foundation, emphasizing its trustworthiness in bringing relief to suffering citizens.
Mariam Covenant Onuwa, the foundation’s Co-founder, highlighted their commitment to providing free medical care, including screenings for HIV and eye care clinics, for vulnerable children whose parents cannot afford medical bills. She expressed their dedication to addressing this critical area.
Also Dr. Moses Paul, (Dr Mo) who’s the founder of Free Nigeria urges NGOs, government and international organizations to partner with GEO empathy foundation just as he puts it, “this is a foundation that can be trusted to bring succor to ailing and suffering citizens of Nigeria. we can see from the antecedent what the founder and other collaborators have been doing, ‘he added.
Some notable people at the conference were Rotimi Ramalan Buhari, (CEO RNR Clothing), Mrs Ngozi Nwachukwu (CEO D’Perfectaz), Ashley Yusuf and others.
Aides, Allies Disown Him, Say You’re a Traitor, We’re not Leaving PDP
Barely two weeks after his defection from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), crisis has enveloped the political camp of a member of the House of Representatives for Obokun/Oriade federal constituency in Osun State, Oluwole Oke.
Indeed, these are not the best of times for him as his defection to the APC is eliciting rejection from his close circles and constituency.
His key allies who he groomed into politics and government positions have rejected his calls on them to join him to defect to the APC.
A source said that in the last few days, key aides and allies of the lawmaker have rejected his movement to the APC, describing it as a political tragedy.
“With the way he betrayed PDP, Oluwole Oke is like the proverbial Leopard that can never change the spots on its body. He will also betray the APC. We are staying back in PDP while severing political links with him”, one of his allies, Bamidele Johnson said.
Some of his allies were said to have openly declared that the defection marks a political waterloo for the 6th term legislator.
For instance, some of Oke’s allies in his Local Government scorned his move as “a decision borne out of greed and selfishness.”
One of them described him as “an ingrate who betrayed a party on whose platform he got married in life as a lawmaker and on whose platform he gained all his material riches.”
The Northern Youths Consultative Forum for Justice (NYCJ) has urged Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Zamfara State, citing a complete breakdown of governance, law, and order.
In a statement issued on Monday in Kano, NYCJ President Dr Sanusi Rano described the situation in Zamfara as “organised abandonment of duty” by elected officials.
“What we are witnessing in Zamfara is not governance. It is betrayal of the people,” Rano said, pointing to the absence of a functional state House of Assembly and allegations linking officials to criminal activities.
The group highlighted the suspension of 10 lawmakers who spoke out against the deteriorating security situation, arguing that their removal has left Zamfara without a legally recognised legislative body.
“This is a dictatorship of silence,” said Rano, adding that the lack of checks and balances has deepened the state’s crisis.
“The same hands that should protect Zamfara are profiting from its destruction,” Rano stated.
Calling for decisive action, the group demanded the appointment of a non-partisan administrator to rebuild the state’s institutions.
“If this is not done now, Zamfara risks becoming a permanent state of anarchy, which threatens our democracy,” Rano warned.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, on Monday, sentenced the husband of late gospel singer, Osinachi, Peter Nwachukwu, to death by hanging.
Nwachukwu was found guilty of culpable homicide resulting in the death of the deceased ( his wife) on April 8, 2022.
The judge held that the prosecution had proven the burden of proof placed on it by the law and subsequently found the defendant guilty.
Nwachukwu was arraigned on June 3, 2022 by the Office of Attorney-General of the Federation (OAGF), on behalf of the Federal Government, on a 23-count charge .
The charge was on culpable homicide punishable with death, criminal intimidation, cruelty to children, criminal intimidation of children, spousal battery, among others.
In the course of trial, the prosecution called 17 witnesses, including two children of the late Osinachi, who testified as fourth prosecution and fifth prosecution witnesses, PW4 and PW5 respectively.
The prosecution also tendered 25 documents as exhibits before the court.
The defendant testified for the defence and further called four other witnesses and tendered four exhibits in his defence.
Shortly before sentencing, the defendant, counsel , Reginald Nwali, in his allocutus pleaded with the court to be lenient in its judgment.
Similarly, the prosecution counsel, Mrs Aderonke Imala, urged the court to give force to the law as stipulated.
Justice Nwosu-Iheme subsequently sentenced Nwachukwu to death by hanging on Count 1, while he was sentenced to two years imprisonment each on Counts 2, 3, 8,9, 12, 13, and 18.
The court sentenced the defendant to six months imprisonment on Count 10, three years imprisonment in Count 11, while he was fined the sum of N500,000 and N200,000 respectively on Counts 6 and 7 respectively. (NAN)