Shoprite Partners Save Our Needy On School Rehabilitation Project

On July 27th, Save Our Needy in partnership with the Shoprite Community Network (charity arm of Shoprite) commissioned a block of 5 classrooms at St Martins Nursery and Primary School, Mushin, Lagos. The entire school block was rehabilitated under the project ''Better Life Through Education.''

The project which primarily aims at improving learning conditions of pupils attending low-income (public) schools and promoting early childhood development (ECD), was attended by dignitaries and  representatives from Ministry of Education, Lagos State Basic
Education Board (SUBEB) and Mushin Local Government.

Official commissioning of school block by Adekunle A. Julius (Sole Administrator, Odi Olowo/Ojuwoye LCDA)

L - R: Teachers of St Martins Sch., Jerry Odili, Marvella Odili, Adekunle A. Julius, Mrs Nwankere (Head Teacher)

Inspecting work done on classes

Front gate of St Martins School

 

Commissioning plaque

During the course of the project, broken ceilings and leaking roofs were fixed, damaged floors were repaired, classrooms and the entire school block were painted. The classrooms were also equipped with whiteboards. 

St Martins School and the Mushin community were selected as beneficiaries of this phase of the project because of their high population density and high poverty rate. 

Classroom transformation (before and after)

Classroom transformation (before and after)

School block transformation (before and after)

In her speech at the joyous occasion, the CEO of Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili, emphasized that "quality education for every child should never be compromised. All children irrespective of their social backgrounds, have the right to study in a conducive and peaceful environment. That is non negotiable."

"Better Life Through Education" was launched in August 2015. More than three schools in Lagos State have benefited from the initiative so far.

Dance performance by pupils of St Martins School

Visit the Save Our Needy website to know more about this project and other ways Save Our Needy is positively influencing lives: www.saveourneedy.org
facebook.com/SaveOurNeedy

Twitter: @SaveOurNeedy

ONE loses former CEO to cancer

Michael J. Elliott

Global campaign and advocacy organization co-founded by Bono, ONE, lost its former CEO, Michael J. Elliott, to cancer on July 14th 2016.

Born in Liverpool, England in 1951, Michael J. Elliott was a British journalist and executive. He was the president and chief executive officer of the anti-poverty advocacy organization, ONE. Awarded an OBE in 2003 for services to journalism, Elliott previously held senior executive positions at Time magazine, Newsweek, and The Economist.

Elliott, who attended Oxford University, became the President and CEO of ONE in 2011. He oversaw the organization's global operations.

In his five years leading the organization, Elliott recorded outstanding success as ONE increased its global footprint and saw its membership rise from 2 million to more than 7 million, of which 2.8 million are in Africa. Elliott also oversaw the successful merger of (RED) with ONE in 2012.

He died a few days ago at the age of 65 after living with cancer for more than two years, having moved on to become a Senior Strategic Advisor to ONE earlier in the year. He is much missed by his family, friends and colleagues around the world.

RIP Michael J. Elliott.

Jerry Odili At The U.S. Independence Celebration

 

Save Our Needy Program Manager, Jerry Odili, was one of the few selected Nigerians who attended the U.S. Independence Celebration on June 30th, 2016.

Jerry, a Fellow of the Carrington Youth Initiative Fellowship Initiative (CYFI), had the rare opportunity at the event, to mingle and network with distinguished Nigerians who have made their mark in various fields as well as the American diplomatic corps.

Some of the invited guests include: Chief Ernest Shonekan (Former Head of the Interim National Government), Florence Ita-Giwa, Jimmy Agbaje, Liyel Imoke, Peter Obi, Dakuku Peterside, Pat Utomi, Emeka Anyaoku, General Theophilus and Daisy Danjuma, Sound Sultan, Korede bello and many more.

Jerry Odili with Emeka Anyaoku

Dakuku Peterside (center), Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

Sound Sultan, Jerry Odili (right)

Jimmy Agbaje (center), Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

Korede Bello, Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

Pat Utomi, Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

Liyel Imoke, Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

Nike Oshinowo, Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

 

Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, Jerry Odili, CYFI Fellows

The United States has had a robust engagement in Nigeria for many years, maintaining a partnership which runs deep on a host of issues including elections, security, fighting infectious disease, and inclusive economic growth.

U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle gave a very insightful and memorable speech at the very well organized event. According to the U.S. Ambassador, the event held a special place for him and his wife as he will be ending his assignment in Nigeria shortly and completely retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service at the end of July after 35 and a half years.

It was indeed an evening to remember.