Ooni of Ife Announces Date For Hopes Alive Initiative's Give Back Concert

The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II has reiterated his commitment to the well being of orphans and less privileged in this country by ensuring they do not lag behind in the society as he released the date for this year’s GiveBack Concert which is aimed at raising funds to cater for the needs of the orphans and less privileged people in the country.

This was made known in his palace when he received the Project Ambassador; Cobham’s Asuquo, a physically impaired entertainer who has made it through life despite his physical challenge. He was assisted by people who saw the best in him and took care of his every needs, ensuring his talent didn’t go to waste.

Ooni of Ife (middle) flanked by Cobhams Asuquo (second left) and members of the Hopes Alive Initiative

GiveBack Concert which was recently endorsed by the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo is slated to hold on 24th June, 2018 at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. High profile Nigerians and corporate bodies are expected to be in attendance as all hands will be on deck to ensure the orphans and less privileged in the country’s needs are met. Chief Olusegun Obasanjo while speaking about the Concert said this is going to be the first time Nigerians will come together to remember the orphans and less privileged in a positive way without government interference. He then implored all well meaning Nigerians to support by donating in their capacity to the lives of these less privileged ones.

His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the  convener of this project who began this journey through Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) said there’s the need for everyone to participate by sowing a seed into the lives of all underprivileged. According to him, many young less privileged succumb to peer pressure and eventually choose criminalism as a way of life because they lack proper care required to positively shape their future. He said if we do this right there will be less crime and violence in our nation and the peace we so much crave will be achieved.

The Deputy convener Temitope Adesegun thanked everyone for their support and endorsement of this project. She repeated that it is no news that Non-Governmental Organizations are the major backbone of the underprivileged in the society. This is the reason Hopes Alive Initiatives is launching a television programme: HAI TV for all NGOs to embrace. An avenue to discuss all encompassing and global issues affecting underprivileged while at the same time empowering them. The initiative also intend to identify, nurture and showcase talents of the  underprivileged ones.
It is with a view to making them live a fulfilled life without being held back by  the social circumstances capable of denying  them deserved respect and attention in the society.

Ooni of Ife gives Cobhams Aasuquo (Project Ambassador) a warm handshake.

Meanwhile, The project director Eluwole Elusiyan thanked His Majesty for his love and kindness towards the orphans and less privileged since he ascended the throne of his forefathers. He described Kabiyesi as a king, a father, and a god to the entire Yoruba race. He pleaded with His Majesty to continue his support for orphanage homes across the nation and the Almighty God in his abundance will continue to bless him more. He said this year’s event will have the kids showcase their talents to the world while artists like Tuface, Tiwa Savage, Flavour, Sir Shina Peters, Niniola, Kenny Blaq, Gbenga Adeyinka the first and others will be there as entertainers they can draw inspirations from.


Culled from Sahara Weekly Magazine.

Ooni of Ife Introduces Hope Alive Initiative

His Imperial Majesty, Arole Oduduwa, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife introduced the Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) to non-profit organizations and members of the press today at a press conference hosted at Oriental Hotel, Lekki, Lagos.

The initiative which aims to reach a large number of people regardless of geographical location to eradicate poverty and suffering, is an innovation of the House of Oduduwa.

Marvella Odili during the event

Marvella Odili poses beside the banner

Through this initiative, His Imperial Majesty will support non-profit organizations in Nigeria and beyond. A TV advocacy program will be created to showcase the activities of the organization and other non-profit organizations mostly in Nigeria.

The Ooni who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Comrade Moses Olafare combines his passion for social mission with innovation and divine intervention to change the world.

Temitope Adesegun (3rd left) and Comrade Moses Olafare (3rd right)

Temitope Adesegun, President of HAI, gave a compelling and engaging speech during the conference.

Marvella Odili with members of the HAI team

Several non-profit organizations including Save Our Needy, Asabe Foundation, Tech ME and Kokun Foundation were present at the very successful event. Save Our Needy was ably represented by Marvella Odili, Founder and CEO.

Official invitation to the press conference

The press conference is a prelude to the official launch of the initiative which will take place in March.

Save Our Needy Empowers Marginalized Girls and Women

Project SAVE (Skills Acquisition. Vocational training. Empowerment) ended on a high note as participants concluded free training on make-up artistry and gele (African headgear) tying. Makeup artistry and gele (African headgear) tying are very lucrative businesses in Nigeria today.

Make up artistry training session

Some of the participants practising the art of make up

Professional and skilled trainer, Abigail Zakari, at work

Some of the participants practising the art of make up

The 2-week intensive training program focused on empowering marginalized girls and women to become self-reliant. This has become a necessity given the present state of the Nigerian economy.

Trainer, Frank, teaches participants the art of gele tying

One of the participants tries her hands at gele tying

Although the program had schedule issues due to the scarcity of fuel and consequent hike in the price of public transportation, it went smoothly.

At the end of the training, the very enthusiastic participants were given certificates and business start-up tools to enable them start their own small businesses.

Marvella Odili (left), Founder/CEO, Save Our Needy presents a certificate to one of the participants

Selfie with some of the participants of the program

Save Our Needy Leads Women and Girls To Financial Independence

Save Our Needy, a non-profit, non-governmental organization will be embarking on 2 weeks intensive training on make-up artistry for marginalized girls and women.

Project S.A.V.E (Skills Building. Vocational training. Empowerment) is a vocational training and skills- building program designed to empower financially challenged women and girls (teenage mothers, widows and unemployed school leavers) in order to become self-reliant.

Benefits:

*Free training on vocational skills
*Business start-up tools

Start date: Dec 11th

Partners: Abaabee beauty, Kuddy Cosmetics and Good Cheer Initiative.

Target: Financially challenged women and girls aged 15-40.

How To Participate:
*Follow Save Our Needy IG page and tag with the hashtag, #ProjectSAVE
*Send an email to info@saveourneedy.org OR saveourneedy@gmail.com with your full names explaining reasons you need the training and support.

For more information, kindly visit www.saveourneedy.org

You too can be a part of creating positive social change. You can support this program by sponsoring a participant with either training fees or business start-up tools. Kindly send all donations to:
Save Our Needy Organisation
0168556004
Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank).

#ProjectSAVE #DoSomethingForNothing #WomenSupportingWomen #GirlsBecomeWomen #TogetherWeCanDoMore #LiftSomeoneUp #HelpBreakTheCycleOfPoverty #GiveAVoiceToTheVoiceless #BeTheChangeThatYouSeek

We look forward to hearing from you!
Compliments of the season.

The United Nations (UN) Grants Save Our Needy Special Consultative Status

Great news! Christmas came early for us here at Save Our Needy. The UN has granted Save Our Needy special consultative status with the Economic and Social Commission (ECOSOC).

According to the Founder and CEO of the organization, Marvella Odili, "This privilege gives us the opportunity to continue working to improve the living conditions of marginalized women, youth and children in Africa through education, empowerment and awareness-raising campaigns."

Other non-governmental and non-profit organizations granted special consultative status include:

African Trade Centre LTD/GTE (Nigeria);

Asian Marine Conservation Association(India);

Asociación Cubana de Limitados Físico-Motores (Cuba);

Association Debout femmes autochtones du Congo (Congo);

Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion de la Famille (Mauritania);

Association des relais communautaires d’Oshwé (Democratic Republic of the Congo);

Association for Protection of Maternity, Infancy and Family João e Maria (Brazil);

Association mauritanienne pour la transparence et le développement(Mauritania);

Associação Brasileira dos Organizadores de Festivais de Folclore e Artes Populares (Brazil);

Associação de Jovens Engajamundo(Brazil);

Center for Development Support Initiatives (Nigeria);

Centre for Disaster Risk and Crisis Reduction (Nigeria);

Centre for Human Rights and Climate Change Research (Nigeria);

Centre for Policy Dialogue (Bangladesh);

Centre for Youth and Literacy Development (Ghana);

Centre for the Sustainable use of Natural and Social Resources (India);

Centre international de recherche - Action pour un développement durable (Togo);

Chia-Funkuin Foundation (Cameroon);

China Academy of Culture Limited (China);

China-Africa Business Council (China);

Farmers Development Organization(Pakistan);

Fundación América Solidaria Internacional(Chile);

Fundação Abrinq pelos Direitos da Criança e do Adolescente (Brazil);

Geo-Environmental Resource Association(Cameroon);  

Health In Action Limited (China);

Hope for Women (Maldives);

Horizon d'échange et de lutte contre la pauvreté (Senegal);

Irene Menakaya School Onitsha (Nigeria);

Leadership for Environment and Development – Pakistan (Pakistan);

Les oeuvres sociales pour les actions de développement (Democratic Republic of the Congo);

Lokmanya Sewa Sangh Parle (India);

Nagorik Uddyog (Bangladesh);

Namaa Association of Social Development(Jordan);

NoBox Transitions Foundation, Inc(Philippines);

Pakistan Council for Social Welfare and Human Rights (Pakistan);

PathFinders Limited (China);

Peace Foundation Pakistan (Pakistan);

Public Organization “Public Advocacy”(Ukraine);

Samaj Kalyanka Lagi Yuwa Nepal (Nepal);

Sense International, India (India);

Small and Medium Scale Entrepreneurship Fundamentals Foundation (Nigeria);

Sociedad Cubana para la Promoción de las Fuentes Renovables de Energía y el Respeto Ambiental (Cubasolar) (Cuba).

Read more here:
https://www.un.org/press/en/2017/ecosoc6835.doc.htm

Save Our Needy Helps Marginalized Women Break The Cycle of Poverty

Participants receiving training on craftswork

In present day Nigeria, many women face a lot of economic challenges and this is even more evident because a lot of women are the breadwinners in their households. Many women are teetering precariously on the brink of lifelong poverty as a result of illiteracy, unemployment and gender inequality issues. 

The craftswork trainer at work

Save Our Needy believes that women should be given every opportunity to fulfill their potential, no matter their circumstances. They should be organized and strengthened. Investing in women’s economic empowerment will lead to realizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of ending hunger, poverty, promoting economic empowerment and gender equality as all these cannot be achieved without empowering women with a means of livelihood.

During the craftswork training

Lifting women out of poverty is one of the most effective antidotes to the nation’s pressing problems. Women play a special role in the society by contributing not only to family well-being, but to community well-being as a whole.

Project SAVE (Skills Acquisition Vocational training and Empowerment) was initiated to help underserved women become self-sufficient through vocational training and economic empowerment. Through this initiative, the organization gives free training on income-generating skills to marginalized and vulnerable women as well as provides them with the necessary equipment to start their own small businesses at the end of the training.

A participant trying her hands on making recycled ankara sandals

Save Our Needy reached out to 30 women living in Ajegunle/Orile (an urban slum) to freely train them on catering (the making of finger foods) and craftwork which involves the use of a local fabric (Ankara) to produce or recycle items such as bags and footwear.

Participants were also trained on financial literacy skills, leadership skills and entrepreneurship skills. These skills will prepare them for their new small businesses.

 

During the craftswork training

Participants engrossed in making finger foods

During the catering class

Cocktails made by participants of the program

During the leadership, entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills class

The project was very successful and all the participants all had wonderful encomiums to pour on the SON team after 5 weeks of intensive training by experts.

Ankara-made bags

 

Recycled bag and sandal made from ankara fabric

Finger foods and cocktails ready for consumption

Since inception, Save Our Needy (SON) has successfully implemented empowerment and entrepreneurship programs aimed at encouraging women and young people to become financially independent.

#EmpowerAWomanEmpowerANation

Marvella Odili Joins The International Women's Society (IWS).

Dateline: 10/10/17

Founder and CEO of Save Our Needy, Marvella Odili was officially inducted into the International Women's Society on Tuesday, October 10th 2017.

 

Marvella Odili (R) at the IWS induction ceremony

Mrs. Ego Boyo (M) poses with new members during the induction ceremony

 

The International Women's Society (IWS) is an independent, non-political, non-governmental and non-profit organization founded in 1957 by public-spirited Nigerian and expatriate women to support and work for the advancement of disadvantaged and marginalized women and children.

 

 

 

The organization spans 20 countries and has a fantastic multi-generational support group. Networking, fostering of life-long friendships and the development of individuals as well as communities are some of the opportunities the organization provides.

 

 

 

Many notable, successful and accomplished Nigerian women including Mrs. Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele (former Deputy of Lagos State), Mrs. Nkiru Anumudu, Mrs. Abiola Otufale and Mrs. Evelyn Akeredolu are an integral part of the organization. Wives of diplomats are honorary members.

 

Marvella Odili, Founder and CEO, Save Our Needy

Marvella Odili with Susan Peters, Nollywood star and model

 

Mrs. Ego Boyo (CEO, Temple Productions, Nollywood A-list actress, and Producer) is currently the President. 

 

Marvella Odili with Mrs. Ego Boyo, President IWS