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Sexual Violence: CEE-HOPE Partners Two NGOs to sensitize Teenagers

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3 years ago

December 17, 2020

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As part of activities marking the recent 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), the Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) partnered two other NGOs to sensitize children at Makoko in Lagos, Nigeria’s biggest slum settlement.

NGOS, Jabez Place, a sexual violence awareness organization and the Children, Youth and Women Empowerment Initiative (CHIYOWO) engaged the over 60 children drawn from Makoko and other places across Lagos. Jabez Place led by Adesola Alamutu, a gender rights activist and founder of Children and the Environment (CATE) and Iquo Diana-Abasi, a poet and writer, enlightened the children on how to stay safe and avoid being sexually violated, stressing that the COVIV-19 period has led to increased rates of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Also in attendance and giving similar advice was Yemi Oni, Head, Legal Services, Lagos State Ministry of Justice. They also encouraged the children to be alert, self-aware and confident and to report attempted violation or persons to adults or their teachers and other authorities figures around them. CHIYOWO Initiative’s representatives, Onyeka Titigbe and Lameed Opeyemi, sensitized the children, both boys and girls, on the need to imbibe a good reading culture as it helps to widen the horizon of their knowledge and also imbues them with a heightened sense of self-awareness about their rights and the confidence to report and prevent potential child abuse. CHIYOWO also donated 300 copies of books including story books and those on various topics to CEE-HOPE. Betty Abah, CEE-HOPE founder expressed gratitude to the speakers for coming to enrich the children’s lives. She also described CHIYOWO’s gesture as life-enhancing. “The sensitization –talks on sexual violence prevention to these teenagers are simply priceless considering the high incidences of sexual violence especially against young persons that we face in the course of the pandemic.” She said “the books donation from CHIYOWO is equally priceless, as you never can tell the extent of impact of these books, and as we say, ‘Readers are leaders,” she added.

Happy participants at CEE-HOPE’s community event during the event

books, Abah said, would go to CEE-HOPE’S community libraries in Makoko, Monkey Village (Lagos) and Agbado Ogun State. ChiYoWo’s founder, Tokunbo Ifaturoti said they are glad to partner with CEE-HOPE on the ’16 days of Activism’ event in Makoko community. “We are also excited to donate various books to ICT centres set up by CEE-HOPE in Makoko, Monkey Village and Agbado Oja, Lagos State, as part of our Book Drive activities. This we believe will compliment your effort in creating opportunities for the poor and underprivileged communities in Nigeria. “Through the Book Drive Nigeria Project, which ChiYoWo started in 2017, over 10,000 reading and educational books have been donated to schools and communities in the six geopolitical zones across Nigeria.

ChiYoWo looks forward to more partnerships with CEE-HOPE in 2021,” Ifaturoti said. The event also marked the official opening of CEE-HOPE’S new ICT and Youth Hub at Makoko. The youth centre is also CEE-HOPE’S sixth opening for the year. The other five are located in Monkey Village (Lagos) two in Benue, one in Kaduna, one in Jos, Plateau State. Out of the six, three are located in orphanages across Jos, Makurdi and Kaduna while the rest are in marginalized communities. CEE-HOPE works with vulnerable and at-risk children in marginalized and hard-to-reach communities across the country.

Oche Onu writes.

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BREAKING: Gunmen attack Benue Link vehicle again, abduct passengers

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Kidnappers Demand N60 Million as Ransom

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5 days ago

September 19, 2023

Oche Onu

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Reports reaching InsideBenue reveals that some gunmen have on Sunday attacked a Benue Link passenger bus, abducting not fewer than 10 passengers.

The incident occured around Olanyega community along Otukpo-Otukpa road in Okpokwu Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the Secretary General of the Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (Benue Links chapter), Comrade Gabriel Tachia, the fully loaded bus was on its way to Makurdi from Onitsha before it was hijacked on the Benue road.

“Four passengers were released as at yesterday night (Sunday) after the army gave the abductors a hot chase. It was a fully loaded bus (with 15 occupants). The bus was returning from Onitsha to Makurdi,” Tachia told newsmen.

Mr Omale Omale, the Commissioner for Power, Energy and Transport who confirmed the development to newsmen in Makurdi said information are sketchy.

The Makurdi Zonal Centre of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), said among the passengers abducted was a staff of the organisation.

According to the report, the kidnappers demanded N60 million, but reduced the demand to N16 million as ransom before their victims gain freedom.

The operation which lasted over 30 minutes, according to locals, occurred at 2:30pm on Sunday, leaving motorists plying that section of the highway helpless.

A local chief in the area, who escaped being caught up in the attack, narrated that the spot – Olanyega/Okpudu – where the incident happened on the Otukpo-Ugbokolo-Enugu Expressway had over time become unsafe for commuters.

Recall that similar incident involving two buses of the transport company a fortnight ago around Ajaokuta in Kogi State. 28 people were kidnapped.

Tachia however added that eight of the 10 Lagos-bound passengers abducted in Kogi axis had been released remaining two victims.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for Benue Command, SP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident.

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Reactions Trail Nomination of Nollywood Actor-Son as Late Pastor Odukoya’s Successor

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5 days ago

September 18, 2023

Oche Onu

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Jimmy Odukoya

Following the nomination of Nollywood actor and son of the late Pastor Odukoya, Jimmy Odukoya as successor of his popular father by the Board of Trustees of Fountain of Life Church on Sunday, a social media influencer, Barr. Jov Tersoo took to his Facebook page to congratulate the new overseer. But his post with different reactions from his readers:

Tersoo writes: Congratulations to Jimmy Odukoya. This is why some people keep referring to Pentecostal churches as family empires. Also a reason why no one want to serve under another person as a pastor. No matter how good and faithful you are, the general overseer’s son is prepared to take the lead when the father is gone. May his reign be great.

Below are some of the reactions:

✍ Idoko Noah Sanni commented “The hair style if not natural dada (dread) and you still remain in the church you need check up,we thank God for orthodox background”

✍ Tertindi Teeter writes: “Thanks be to God Almighty who uses the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.”

✍ Ololade Paul writes:
“With this kind of hair style? This is not how we met Christianity!”

✍ Usha Humphrey writes: “He looks like a superstar”

✍ Walter Ogar writes: “Joel Osteen took over from his father John Osteen, founder of Lakewood Church and has surpassed all expectations. Just listen to God, what is he saying?”

✍ Ishaya Danladi writes: “The founder of the Redeemed Christian Church of God followed a path that most overseers dread to take. He made someone not even related to him to take over the helm of affairs before his departure. Most presidents and founders of modern pentecostal churches start their work with the view that it is a family business.”

✍ Aondona Manta write: “Jov, Who was the leader of the Jerusalem council of elders, or if we must put it in today’s parlance, the Chairman of the Board in Jesus’ ministry after his death and resurrection?”

✍ Sammie Adoche writes: “Until you know the circumstances surrounding his nomination it’s wrong to call any church a family business. Jimmy is not someone who will normally want to take up such mantle but if it’s God’s what will he do.”

✍ Ayodele Yemitope writes “I feel that’s subjective… It’s not all churches that get another person that’s not a family member that ends up more Successful and it’s not all churches that has the son or family of the founder take over that becomes a Success. What matters is if God is leading in that direction. Jimmy has been a Pastor in TFL for a while now long before the Dad’s death. But for the Dreads that seems kind off out of place to many. Every other things is okay from man’s point of view from God side that’s for those that have heard in line. The real deal is when the Latter House Surpass the Former”

✍ Dommie Kay writes “Any man that can go sit in the salon, washing, conditioning drying and braiding, as in braiding his hair should be feared, e get why. Even women don’t enjoy the experience, we only enjoy it for the beauty of the outcome.”

Jimmy, a Nollywood actor and musician who featured prominently Netflix’s ‘Woman King’ movie as Oba Ade was announced to the church on Sunday as his father’s successor.

According to a member of the BoT, Pastor Rotimi Okpaise, the late Taiwo Odukoya confided in the board of trustees (BoT) members about the succession plan before his demise.

Okpaise said the BoT unanimously elected Jimmy as the senior pastor and chairperson of the board..

Jimmy will be formally installed on Saturday, September 30, 2023.

The former Senior pastor and founder died on August 7, Odukoya, in the United States of America aged 67.

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AFCON’23: Full List of Qualified Countries

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South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana face the big boys

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1 week ago

September 14, 2023

Oche Onu

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24 countries have qualified for prestigious continental Africa Cup of Nations holding in Cote D’Ivoire next year. All 24 countries will justle for the golden cup.

The tournament will feature 12 former AFCON champions with Nigeria, a three-time champion not left out.