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Nigeria’s First Charity Ball Targets N150bn For IDPs, Refugees
Nigeria is set to host its first-ever national charity ball, the Renewed Hope Charity Ball for Migrants, Refugees, and Internally Displaced Persons, aimed at raising N150 billion to support displaced persons across the country.
The event, a collaboration between the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI) and Imaginative Ceilings Limited, seeks to merge philanthropy with social impact, rallying high-profile individuals, corporate leaders, and government officials for an evening dedicated to fundraising and advocacy.
Scheduled to take place between August and September, the charity ball aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration, which prioritizes social welfare and economic empowerment for vulnerable groups.
According to a proposal submitted by Imaginative Ceilings Limited, the event will be hosted by NCFRMI and chaired by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, alongside First Ladies from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
CEO of Imaginative Ceilings Limited, Festus Ofume, described the charity ball as a groundbreaking philanthropic effort.
> “This charity ball is not just a social event but a movement to mobilize resources for healthcare, education, skills development, and economic empowerment programs for refugees and IDPs,” Ofume stated.
Federal Commissioner of NCFRMI, Hon. Aliyu Tijani Ahmed, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting displaced persons through sustainable interventions.
> “This initiative represents a bold step towards transforming the lives of refugees and internally displaced persons. It is not just about raising funds but ensuring that these funds translate into tangible, life-changing programs.
> “We are grateful for the collaboration with Imaginative Ceilings Limited and the support of stakeholders who believe in this cause,” Ahmed said.
Others at the meeting included: Director of Procurement, Bara Fumilayo, Director of Audit/Sports Manager, John Dama, Director of Legal Services,
Habibu Labaran, Director of IDP,
Fatima Daura, Director of HRM,
Bello Bello, and SA to the HFC
Hon. Bashir.
The initiative is expected to attract top business executives, policymakers, and celebrities, all dedicated to supporting displaced persons through financial contributions and advocacy.
Funds raised from the event will be channeled into long-term humanitarian projects, ensuring sustainable interventions for affected communities.
With no similar event in Nigeria’s philanthropic landscape, the Renewed Hope Charity Ball aims to set a new precedent for fundraising, leveraging entertainment, networking, and grassroots engagement to drive social change.
As preparations gain momentum, organizers remain optimistic that the initiative will secure substantial financial and policy support, creating lasting impact for migrants, refugees, and IDPs across Nigeria.
A dramatic moment unfolded at a healing service led by Pastor Daysman Oyakhilome, son of renowned Pastor and founder of Christ Embassy, Chris Oyakhilome, as a member of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Hon. Marcus Onobun, from Edo State, who had been unable to walk for some time, regained his legs and walked unaided.
The incident, which was captured on a video, has since gone viral, sparking widespread reactions across social media. In the footage, the former speaker of Edo State House of Assembly stands and walks with apparent ease, leaving onlookers astonished.
While many hailed the event as a miraculous divine healing, others remained skeptical, questioning its authenticity.
A social media user, @SamsonUgochuks, reacting to the video in Pidgin English, tweeted, “This video just dey trend everywhere, before you know dem go say na arranged. This is a Member of House of Rep o; he no dey hungry ooooo.”
Another user, @James__Ade, responded in defence of the miracle, writing: “CHURCH HATERS go cry tire for comment… Miracles are real, I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, and Pastor Daysman Oyakhilome is genuinely heavy anointed as well.”
BY ANKELI EMMANUEL, Sokoto
The Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of African Health Budget Network (AFBN), Dr Aminu Garba Magashi has reaffirmed that Sokoto state is making progress towards addressing the immunization zero dose challenges.
Dr Magashi, who said AHBN is implementing the Zero Dose Learning hub in Sokoto state in collaboration with AFENET, added that, the recent Federal Government rating of Sokoto and Kano as states with the highest number of zero dose was alarming, hence the need for urgent action to turn the tide for good.
While presenting the 2024 Sokoto State Immunization Budget Accountability Annual Scorecard for validation, Dr Magashi expressed optimism that AHBN members in Sokoto state will engage with stakeholders and political office holders to verify the findings before arriving at a final copy.
“”We will present the final 2024 Sokoto State Immunization Budget Accountability Scorecard after validation. Though, our findings at the moment indicates that many local government areas in Sokoto state are zero dose. And what it means is that, children in such LGAs have not been able to receive even Penta 1 vaccine. That’s the vaccine that will prevent children from Diptheria, whooping cough, tetanus and all other child killer diseases. But largely overall, we are seeing an increment in Sokoto state Routine Immunization budget performance”,
Dr Magashi affirmed.
Speaking earlier, Sokoto State Focal Person of AHBN, Umar Garba Kadi said they are not only into budget tracking but also advocate for social mobilization to end zero dose using community and religious leaders.
“”We also have the Community Resource Groups is some LGAs. At the moment we have in Wamakko and Tambuwal and we are making efforts to extend the group to 13 other LGAs to allow for better outing and ensure good performance towards reducing the zero dose challnge””, Kadi said.
On his part, the Sokoto State Emergency and Routine Immunization Programme Manager, Nasiru Abubakar, who is also the chairman, Community of Practice (COP) said the scorecard is very important for the state as it serves as a guage for them to know how far they are doing on the issue of immunization.
“”Sokoto state government and myself as the Programme Manager of RI we are very worried about the issue of zero dose and we are working round the clock to ensure that the issue becomes history soon””. Nasiru enthused.
News
Name Reconciliation Committee Within 14 Days to End Emergency Rule in Rivers – Pro-Democracy Group Begs Tinubu
A pro-democracy group, Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy, has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a reconciliation committee within 14 days to resolve the crisis in Rivers State.
This call comes after President Tinubu declared a state of emergency in the state, suspending Governor Siminilayi Fubara, his deputy, and the Rivers State House of Assembly for six months.
The group’s convener, Dr. Olayemi Isaacs, at a press conference in Abuja expressed concerns that the state of emergency would only lead to a “forced peace” and encourage parties to hide their true intentions.
Instead, he advocated for reconciliatory steps in a democratic setting to achieve genuine peace.
According to Dr. Isaacs, genuine peace can only come to Rivers State through reconciliatory steps taken in a truly democratic setting.
The group criticized President Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency, stating that it validated the ugly practice of corrupt political godfatherism by siding with former Governor Nyesom Wike, who is the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Tinubu’s cabinet.
They argued that Wike’s overbearing rent-seeking behavior was the root cause of the crisis in Rivers State.
The Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy demanded that President Tinubu set up a panel of non-partisan eminent Nigerians to mediate between the rival parties in the Rivers State crisis.
They emphasised that the mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days, allowing the state of emergency to be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.
The group warned that allowing the state of emergency to run longer than 90 days would compound the problem in the state, threatening and possibly jeopardizing Nigeria’s democracy.
They urged President Tinubu to take immediate action to establish the reconciliation committee and begin the process of resolving the crisis in Rivers State.
“We call on President Bola Tinubu to end the state of emergency he imposed on Rivers State within 90 days of its proclamation,” Isaacs added.
“Allowing it to run longer than this period will compound the problem in the state in a way that will threaten and possibly jeopardize Nigeria’s democracy.
“Furthermore, the Coalition of Civil Society in Defence of Democracy demands that President Tinubu, within 14 days, set up a panel of non-partisan eminent Nigerians to mediate between the rival parties in the Rivers State crisis.
“The mediatory efforts must be concluded within 60 days so that the state of emergency can be lifted within 90 days of its declaration.
“Finally, we call on political parties to rein in their members in states that have similar political wranglings ongoing so that President Tinubu would not have the excuse to suspend democratic structures in more parts of the country.
“Where political parties fail to heed this counsel, they can be assured that there will not be many states left under democratic rule before the 2027 General Elections.”