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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.
Rivers State’s sole administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has advised the contractor handling the State Assembly Complex project to speed up work and deliver it as mutually agreed.
He insisted that part of his mandate included restoring full and effective legislative activities in the state.
Ibas spoke on Saturday during an inspection tour of the State House of Assembly building project, located along Moscow Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital.
The sole administrator, who was accompanied by the Head of the State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, was conducted round the site by the General Manager of Monier Construction Company (MCC), Engr. Omaka Oko.
He explained that in the last two days of assumption of duty, he had noticed a missing pillar in the State’s governance structure, and he was determined to ensure that there is a place for effective legislative activities after six months.
The administrator said: “I had been at the Executive arm of the state governance structure and one of the pillars that is missing for now is the legislature and for them to function effectively, they also need a place to work from.
“And perhaps, I am yet to be sure that work is going on as expected, so that by the end of the six months, this place will be ready for those who need to use it. I think basically that is what it is.
“They (contractor) have a schedule and they have timelines that I believe they will like to adhere to. I think the State has done its own bit by providing the necessary funds, I was briefed. So the onus is on them to make sure that they keep to the terms.”
He emphasized that he was appointed in the first place to maintain law and order, which will enable the State to go back to what it is supposed to be.
The head of the team taking care of Pope Francis, Dr. Sergio Alfier, has announced that the Catholic Pontiff will be discharged on Sunday from the hospital, where he has spent more than a month being treated for double pneumonia.
“The Holy Father will be discharged from tomorrow in stable clinical condition with a prescription to partially continue drug therapy and a convalescence and rest period of at least two months,” Alfieri told reporters at a news conference at Gemelli on Saturday.
“Today we are happy to say that tomorrow he will be at home,” he added.
Recalls that Pope Francis has been in hospital since February 14.
The pope’s hospitalisation has been his longest stay in Gemelli since his election 12 years ago. While he has not been seen in weeks, his presence has been felt with the Vatican releasing a short audio message from the pope as well as a photo last weekend showing him praying at that hospital’s chapel.
News of his discharge came after the Vatican said this week that the Pope’s condition appeared to be improving, adding that his pneumonia is considered under control.
Last week, the pope approved a new three-year reform process for the Catholic Church, sending a strong signal he intends to remain in the postdespite his lengthy stint in hospital.
Reforms on the table include how to give greater roles to women in the Catholic Church, including ordaining them as deacons, and the greater inclusion of non-clergy members in governance and decision making.
The Catholic Media Practitioners of Nigeria,( CAMPAN) Kaduna and Muslim Muslim Journalists on Friday observed the breaking of the Lenten and Ramadan fasts in Kaduna.
The event attracted the Archbishop of Kaduna, Most Rev. Matthew Man- Oso Ndagoso, Chief Imam Of Uduwa who is also the Morshi of Jamatu Nasir Islam,Pastor Yohanna Buru, NUJ Kaduna Chairman, among others.
Speaking at the event, Archbishop Ndagoso, commended the initiative, the assemblage of media practitioners from the major faiths for break fast of the Ramadan and lent and prayed it should be nurtured.
He said there’s a coincidence in the two religious fasts this year, as the two began days apart, maintaining that it is only when we meet, share and interact as journalists that we properly carry our role of putting the country together, as key stakeholders in the state and country.
Ndagoso further hinted on the Pope’s message as so special that ” it offers us the privilege to draw closer to God, for solidarity, it offers us opportunity to work side by side, adding that our World is in need of fraternity and dialogue ” he said.
Speaking further he said God has a message for both faiths, via our fasts as our world surely is in need of fraternity and dialogue, as that’s what we are doing here as Muslim and Christian journalists and urged others to emulate.
He also prayed that God will give Journalists and media practitioners the power of the pen to bring the country together instead of division ” he stressed.
Similarly, the Chief Imam of Udawa mosque, Iman Ilyasu Hussain, applauded the initiative of bringing Christians and Muslims journalists in Kaduna annually to break fast, and prayed it’s sustained for the the wellbeing of our state and country.
According to him, he has benefited and enjoyed very closed relationships with Christian leaders and colleagues more in the past which had helped him be where he is now in life today, while emphasizing and advocating greater ties among Christian and Muslim faithful to achieve true peace .
In the same vein, Pastor.Yohanna Buru, thanked the Archbishop for the initiative, put together for the Muslim and Christian Media practitioners, describing him as a unifier, one he has known for over a decade in the service of peace in the state and prayed that God will continue to use him to keep the Archdiocese, state and country together.
On his part, Kaduna NUJ Chairman, Mr Abdulgafar Allelebe lauded the event and thanked the Archbishop for giving his media colleagues the platform to have this kind of gathering, and emphasized the need for its sustenance.
He however lamented our past history of religious conflicts in the state, caused by enemies of peace, but assured that, all that is now in the past as many have now learned from the past.
Also, the Chairman of Muslim Journalists League, Mallam Jafaru Yakubu appreciated the invitation by CAMPAN to Muslim Journalists to break fast together, adding that as journalists we have different faiths or beliefs, but work together for peace and stability in our state and country, through professionalism in our reportage.
He called for synergy amongst. Journalists and media practitioners, while emphasizing the need for respect for both religions, and prayed the program is enhanced annually.
Earlier, the Chairman CAMPAN, Kaduna Archdiocese, Mr Nicholas Dekera, said the program of breaking of fast annually was conceptualized to strengthen the bond of cooperation and unity between media practitioners of the two major religions.
Leaning his voice, veteran journalist, elder Tajuddeen Ajibade Tijjani, noted that by this initiative, we have now found a way out of our challenges to peace, if sustained, adding that, if we are peaceful as people of faith, our state and country will also be peaceful.