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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.
The Kano state governor, Alhaji Abba Yusuf, has requested members of the state house of Assembly to move to a convenient site for legislative functions to allow for demolition of the Assembly Complex for a new model one.
The governor in a letter addressed to the speaker of the house, Hon. Ismail Falgore, appreciated the cordial relationship between the executive arm under his leadership and the legislative arm under the leadership of the speaker and further announced his intention to demolished the building.
Reading the letter on the floor of the house during plenary, the speaker announced the intention of the state government to construct a new and befitting chamber that would stand the taste of time.
The governor therefore admonished them to move to a convenient site where they could continue to carryout their legislative functions effectively before the completion of the new chamber.
In his response to the letter, the majority of the house hon. Lawan Husseini, urged the governor to ensure transparency and due process is followed in awarding the contract.
He advised that, the contract should be awarded to a competent contractor who will ensure standards and the completion of the project at the appropriate time.
The National Economic Council on Thursday kicked against the current livestock rearing system in Nigeria, saying there is a need to change from the old ways to modern practice.
The Council, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, took the stand during its meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting comes amidst the spate of attacks in parts of the country, including Plateau, Benue, and Kwara States where scores of citizens have been killed by suspected gunmen.
Briefing State House Correspondents shortly after the meeting, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State said NEC emphasised the need to work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria.
“Council emphasised the fact that we cannot continue to live in the past, and we must now work towards modernising livestock production in Nigeria,” he said.
According to him, the council noted that the current system of animal husbandry in the country is fuelling the farmers/herders clash, as witnessed recently in parts of the country.
Governor Diri explained that the new Ministry of Livestock Development has also revealed an Accelerated Livestock Development and Growth Strategy, which targets to boost revenue generation from the sector to between $70 billion and $90 billion by 2035.
Clashes between nomadic cattle herders and farmers over land use are common in central Nigeria.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia had earlier blamed the recent attacks in the Ukum and Logo local government areas on “suspected herdsmen”.
With many herders belonging to the Muslim Fulani ethnic group, and many farmers Christian, the attacks in the Middle Belt often take on a religious or ethnic dimension. Two attacks by unidentified gunmen earlier this month in neighbouring Plateau state left more than 100 people dead.
Back-to-back massacres — more than 50 people killed in two districts — in Plateau state this month have marked a serious escalation in the state, with authorities scrambling to contain the attacks in a region where ethnic tensions have long simmered.
Families of slain Plateau residents weep after marauders killed their loved ones in overnight attacks
Plateau state authorities have claimed the killings were part of a “genocide” that was “sponsored by terrorists”.
Critics say that rhetoric masks the true causes of the conflict — disputes over land and a failure by authorities and police to govern the countryside.
A local herder group denounced the Plateau state killings while also noting that its own members have been under attack by farmers.
Land grabbing, political and economic tensions between local “indigenes” and those considered outsiders, as well as an influx of hardline Muslim and Christian preachers, have heightened divisions in Plateau state in recent decades.
When violence flares, weak policing all but guarantees indiscriminate reprisal attacks.
Across the wider Middle Belt, including in Benue, land used by farmers and herders is coming under stress from climate change and human expansion, sparking deadly competition for increasingly limited space.
Members of The Progressive Lecturers Network, comprising lecturers from the seven tertiary intuitions in Rivers have thrown their weight behind the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, describing it as a timely and necessary step that averted total breakdown of law and order.
In a communiqué read by their President, Wiri ThankGod, after an emergency congress in Port Harcourt, the academic group commended the President for what they termed a “decisive intervention” that restored peace in a state that was “almost at a point of explosion.”
“We thank the President for the restoration of peace in Rivers State through the declaration of a state of emergency, as the state was almost at a point of explosion if not for the timely intervention of Mr. President.”
The group also expressed confidence in the leadership of the Sole Administrator of the state, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas.
It hailed his neutrality, courage, and early signs of commitment to good governance.
“We congratulate the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Retrd) on his appointment and courage and neutrality demonstrated so far,” the communiqué read.
They express their commitment to peace and development and announced plans to launch a state-wide awareness campaign to sensitize the public on the importance of supporting the federal government’s efforts in Rivers State.
They urged other stakeholders to align with the Renewed Hope Agenda for the betterment of the state.
“As a network of academics, we believe in and stand for respect for the rule of law. We will continue to open our doors for consultation and inclusiveness in governance,” the group stated.
The Progressive Lecturers Network also commended President Tinubu for appointing Rivers indigenes into positions of trust, particularly, former Governor Nyesom Wike and Senator Magnus Abe in key roles.
They further lauded the administration for its attention to major infrastructural and educational projects in the state, including the rehabilitation of the Eleme section of the East-West Road and the approval for the establishment of the Federal University of Environment and Technology in Ogoni.
In addition to their support for the state of emergency, the lecturers extended gratitude to President Tinubu for the recent release of N50 billion for lecturers’ allowances, describing the move as a significant boost to morale in the education sector.
They say the gesture has rekindled trust in the federal government among academics nationwide.