New France-Africa Summit: A New Beginning, A New Partnership

From Paris to Montpellier, France, it was a week of activities from October 4th to October 10th for our Founder/CEO, Marvella Odili, who was invited by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the French Embassy, Nigeria to participate in 3 major events: Ambition Africa, The Bpifrance Inno Génération (BIG) and The New Africa-France Summit hosted by President Emmanuel Macron.

Entrepreneurs, artists, creators, researchers, captains of industry, technocrats, innovators, students, sports personalities and NGOs from France and all over Africa came together under one platform to brainstorm, share ideas and collaborate on the New France-Africa partnership where civil society will take centre stage.

For President Emmanuel Macron, France must assume its fair share of "Africanness" noting that nearly 7 million French people are intimately linked to Africa.

He reiterated France's pledge to return artworks that were looted from the Abomey Palace in Benin at the end of the 19th century.

During this working visit to France, Marvella talked about her work on the empowerment of marginalized women and the education of marginalized girls to people from all walks of life.

She was fortunate to meet the incoming France Ambassador to Nigeria who was gracious enough to take pictures with her.

It was also a time to rediscover Paris and discover Montpellier.

Suffice it to say, it was truly a great learning and exchange experience; an unforgettable one.

Fundraising for Vulnerable Families To End Poverty and Hunger

Save Our Needy has launched an online campaign to raise funds for vulnerable families mostly women and children affected by COVID-19 in order to help end poverty and hunger.

In Nigeria, millions of families live on less than $2 a day due to economic downturn. Most of these families have women as their breadwinners. They lack food, basic amenities, access to education and health facilities.

A vulnerable child

The emergence of COVID-19 has worsened an already bad situation. It has not only affected the health of thousands of women and children, it has also had a devastating effect on the finances of women who have lost their small businesses or jobs, putting them in a vulnerable situation.

Itegbin community

Save Our Needy hopes to reach out to 50 families in Itegbin community, Okokomaiko, a disadvantaged, riverine community affected by climate change and poverty. We hope to provide them with food and care packages as well as empower them with the tools and knowledge to fight poverty, climate change (environmental degradation) and hunger through free training.

KINDLY DONATE TO OUR CAUSE TO SAVE LIVES. THANK YOU.

Bank account details:

Save Our Needy Organisation

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC

0168556004

For foreign donations:

Save Our Needy Organisation

Guaranty Trust Bank PLC.

0477886089 (Euro Account)

0425886664 (Dollar account)

Swift Code: GTBINGLA

Agency Sort code: 058 - 152599

Marvella Odili Is A Panelist At The Choose Africa Event

The "Choose Africa event", a brainchild of the French Agency for Development (Agence Française de Devéloppement) and PROPARCO was organized on April 14th at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, in partnership with the French Embassy, Nigeria.

The French Minister, Mr. Franck RIESTER speaking at the event

Our Founder, Marvella Odili, who was a panelist,  talked about her work of training and supporting marginalized women and youths to become entrepreneurs, as well as her experience as a participant at the Social and Inclusive Business Camp (SIBC) in France. 

 

Marvella Odili speaking at the event

Country Director of Proparco, Mr. Jean GUYONNET-DUPERAT introducing the panelists

Other members of the panel were representatives from Rensource, UBA, Max.ng, and VEROD Capital.

 

The French Minister of Foreign Affairs and Attractiveness, Mr. Franck RIESTER, who is on a working visit to Nigeria to strengthen Nigerian/French bilateral relations and strengthen the links between the French and Nigerian private sectors, gave a wonderful speech at the event.

 

France Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jerôme Pasquier, on the right

The event was graced by the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jerôme Pasquier, and a host of other french diplomats.

 

The "Choose Africa" event gave participants the opportunity to interact, exchange ideas and build a good relationship. 

#ChooseAfrica

Marvella Odili Speaks On Community Initiatives, Youths and Women Empowerment and Solidarity

Marvella Odili, Founder/CEO of Save Our Needy was a panelist/speaker at the recently concluded 3rd edition of the event tagged "Night of Ideas", Circles of Solidarity, organized by the French Embassy in conjunction with the Institut Français which took place on January 28th at Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi.

Marvella Odili speaking at the event, "Night of Ideas"

The panelists shed light on the thematic: STRONGER TOGETHER : WHEN COMMUNITY-BASED INITIATIVES JOIN THE PARTY, SO IMPROVES CITIZENS EMPOWERMENT.

Prof Tunji Azeez passing his point across at the event tagged "Night of Ideas"

Marvella spoke extensively on the marginalization of youths and women in the economic development of Nigeria and how they can be engaged to play a major role.

Cross-section of guests

Other speakers were Prof Tunji Azeez, Head Department of Theatre, Art & Music at Lagos State University, who launched a special program to help inmates through theatre, and Romain Poirot- Lellig, Founder/CEO of Kwik Delivery, a start-up company dedicated to delivery service and the empowerment of youths.

France Ambassador to Nigeria, Jerôme Pasquier, making a speech

A guest interacting with the panelists

France Ambassador to Nigeria

Entertainers

The MC at the event

A wonderful show of creativity

The event which was attended by the France Ambassador to Nigeria,  Jerôme Pasquier, and other dignitaries, was surely a night to remember.