#EndbadGovernance: Kogi Clergy urges Nigeria Youths to suspend Protest

A renowned Clergy in Kogi State Rev. Kayode Ojuola has warned Nigerian to shun the proposed #EndbadGovernance protest noting that the outcome will be devastating.

Our Kogi State Correspondent, reports that Ojuola gave the warning on Saturday at the fourth year anniversary celebration of Aids for Orphans, Widows and Vulnerable People Initiative, (AFOWVPI) and the graduation ceremony of Students of graphics design program held in Lokoja.

According to him, Nigerians are currently living below poverty level hence the need for quick intervention.

He admonished government to listen to the complains of people adding that, the hardship in Nigeria is becoming unbearable.

""My advice is that Government should listen to the complains of people and amend some of their policies to make live easy. Is not only the youths or the poor that are suffering, the rich are also crying in Nigeria. 

"As for the people planning for the protest, I will say let them cancel it because we want peace. We are all aware of what is going on in Uganda, Sudan, and Kenya. If they protest, it will make life worst. We are pleading to the Youths to suspend the protest and see what the government is willing to do to ameliorate the current suffering in our land. 

He recalled that the #EndsarsProtest is still fresh in the Country as it was hijacked by hoodlums which led to the destruction of properties and loss of innocent lives.

Ojuola stated that between January 2020 till date AFOWVPI has expended a total amount of N13,371,000 on its various programmes. 

According to him"The aim of the organization is to impact positively on the fives of the vulnerable and the less privileged members of the Nigerian Societies. 

"AFOWVPI began out of the desires of Rev. and Mrs Ojuola to help the needies and hess privileged by reaching out to them with the basic necessities of lives. The successful implementation of this noble idea attract interests from the children of the family and other well wishers and was made possible through thes moral and financial support. 

"While our mission is to improve the quality of lives and to give people better future, our vision is to empower people with necessary skills and resources to make them self reliant. Also, our vision is to guarantee their total well-being with emphasis on widows, orphans and other vulnerable people. 

"In its four years of operation AFOWVPI has made tremendous positive impacts in the lives of the vulnerable people and improved their quality of life. Our core operational areas include Widows empowerment, Support to orphanage homes, Food support to the needies/vulnerable, Medical support, Education support and Special empowerment 

"Under the widows empowerment programme, interest-free loans are provided to the Widows to either start a small business of their choice or to improve their existing business. In the last four years a total amount of 61,998,000 had been granted to 50 numbers of widows. 

"Within the reporting years (2020 to date) a total number of 75 bags of rice and other food items at a cost of N1,385,000 had been made available to the four orphanage homes. This aspect covers total scholarship to some selected students of two orphanages home which are Ekundayo and Christian Orphanage at Isanlu. The beneficiaries of the scholarship include students of primary and secondary schools, polytechnics, university and other tertiary institutions. 

"For the period under review a total number of 15 students had benefitted to the amount of 1,886,000 only on the programme. We also introduce the Covid 19 food support programme to cushion the effect of Covid on the general public. 

"On the monthly food distribution programme, meant for the needies and the less privilege members of the society, between January 2020 to the end of June 2024 an average of 3 bags of rice and other food items were shared to the needies on monthly basis. A total amount of 2,440,000 was expended on the programme in the period. 

" From January 2020 till today AFOWVPI has been partnering with Kogi State Specialist Hospital and Federal Medical Center (now teaching hospital) in the areas of bills settlements and food supply to patient on admissions. In the period under review a total amount of N989,000 was spent to assist 40 patients in the two hospitals. 

" AFOWVPI education supports programme cover students of Polytechnics and universities in Nigeria. In the last 4years a total of 8 students had benefited to the tune of N317,000 from the programme. 

"Our foundation score cards are valued on two templates: The positive feed backs received from the project beneficiaries. This indicates that AFOWVPI has impacted positively on the quality of lives of the beneficiaries. This is extremely encouraging. There is joy in this huge amount spent because the value for money is realized. 

In his goodwill message, the Kogi Commissioner for Youths and Sports Monday Anyebe who was represented by Director Youth of the Ministry lauded the initiative of the foundation for giving back to the society.

He reiterated the commitment of the Kogi State Government to take the Youths out of the street stressing that they will continue to partner with the foundation to succeed in the State.

Earlier in his remarks, the Chairperson of Kogi NGO Network Amb. Idris Ozovehe Muraina who was represented by the association Secretary Reuben Joshua congratulated the foundation for their significant milestone in the last four years adding that their humanitarian service space in Kogi State is highly commendable.

" This remarkable achievement is a testament to your unwavering commitment, dedication, and passion in serving the orphaned, widows, and vulnerable individuals in our community.

"Your impact on the lives of those in need has been truly inspiring, and we commend the exceptional work you have done over the past four years. The difference you have made in the lives of many cannot be overstated, and we celebrate your accomplishments with great admiration.

"As the Chairperson of KONGONET, I want to assure you of our continuous support and collaboration with AIDS FOR ORPHAN WIDOWS AND VULNERABLE PEOPLE INITIATIVE and all civil society organizations working for the best interests of the people of Kogi State"he stated.

Aids for Orphans, Widows and Vulnerable people Initiative (AFOWVPI) was established in January 2020 and commenced operations the same month. The organization got registered as an NGO with CAC on the 8™June, 2020. 

Highpoint of the ceremony is the presentation of start up tools for graduating Students.

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