Connect with us

General

ACAEDF Seeks Funds to Rehabilitate Children, Young Adults

Published

on

ACAEDF

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

A leading child rights protection organisation in Africa known as the African Children’s Aid Education and Development Foundation (ACAEDF) is planning to raise funds for education development in riverine communities and rehabilitation of over 1,000 children and young adults through donations.

The group, which has been doing humanitarian works for the past seven years by protecting the rights of children across the continent, has rescued and transformed more than 234 children across Nigeria.

To mark its seven years of impactful existence in Nigeria and across Africa, an event has been fixed for Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at ACAEDF Crescent, Ikot Afaha, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.

A statement from the organisation said dignitaries, industry captains and notable child rights promoters across the continent would attend the programme themed Children for Change Celebration (CHICC).

Activities lined up in commemoration of the foundation’s seven years anniversary include raffle tickets for community development, fashion show, music performance and poetry, cocktail events and a novelty football match.

Since its inception in 2014, ACAEDF has been mobilising people and resources to advocate, protect and proactively provide interventions especially against child witch branding and other forms of abuses.

The foundation’s provable track records especially within its community of practice include rescue and sheltering homeless children accused of witchcraft, provision of quality education both to sheltered children and those on the Home Support Programme and reunification and reintegration of the rescued children into the society.

The foundation’s multi-purpose childcare centre called Land of Hope is equipped with an in-house hospital, skills/vocational training centre, library, children’s parliament, sporting/recreational facilities, residential areas, amongst others.

Speaking on the impacts made by the foundation since its inception, the founder and Executive Director of ACAEDF, Mr David Umem, stated that, “Our vision is to provide every child with the audacity to hope for a better life and an envisaged future.

“The foundation came into existence in the first place because we saw the ever-widening gap between child abuse and timely interventions by the authorities.

“The situations of child witch branding which is championed by adults and parents whose duty is to protect these children ignited in us the need to intervene and provide direct and immediate aid to these children whose rights have been greatly abused.

“Also, beyond our intervention programs, we have in place an established structure used to propagate the message of hope and build top of mind awareness on child right acts through community intervention programs.

“We enjoin every Nigerian to make an effort to help at least one child every day, that way, the message of hope would be extended to everyone across the continent.”

“It is vital to also state that in the actual sense, what we are celebrating are the people, our team of dedicated experts and over 1,000 children, young adults, parents and communities who have been impacted by our campaigns and interventions.

“In the coming future, we hope to create a sustainable and thriving environment free from all form of child abuse.

“My utmost gratitude also goes to my dedicated team who works tirelessly to ensure that the purpose of this organisation is actualized,” Mr Umem added.

Also, the Director for Child Development at ACAEDF, Mr Nsidibe Orok, reiterated the organisation’s commitment towards child-right protection in the continent.

“As a not-for-profit and non-governmental organization, we aspire for a society free of child witch branding and all forms of child abuse.

“This aspiration has informed our commitment. The team has shown their commitment through active and impactful contributions in putting an end to all forms of child abuse and witch-hunting.

“Currently, we are proactively collaborating with the riverine communities across the Niger Delta on methods to improve access to qualitative education.

“These communities have been completely forgotten in terms of the provision of basic amenities like clean water, schools, healthcare facilities, good roads, electricity amongst others and thus make children from these areas vulnerable to the adoption of criminal behaviours and other social anomalies.

“We seek partners particularly in using ICT for qualitative and sustainable education to improve the lives of a vast population of people especially children in Riverine communities,” Mr Orok stated.

Modupe Gbadeyanka is a fast-rising journalist with Business Post Nigeria. Her passion for journalism is amazing. She is willing to learn more with a view to becoming one of the best pen-pushers in Nigeria. Her role models are the duo of CNN's Richard Quest and Christiane Amanpour.

Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

General

Pastor Ogbueli’s Abuja Night of Glory Holds Today

Published

on

Abuja Night of Glory

By Blaise Udunze

Momentum is gathering for the Abuja Night of Glory taking place today, Friday, December 5, 2025, at the main bowl of the Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The crusade is being hosted by Dominion City Church headed by Pastor David Ogbueli and it starts by 7pm.

The all-night programme will feature dynamic worship leaders like Nathanial Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Theophilus Sunday, Chioma Jesus, Kaestrings, Sunmisola Agbebi Okeleye, Minister GUC, Ebuka Songs, Anthony Kani, and DC Angels.

Reputed as a teacher of righteousness and anointed minister of the gospel, evidenced by the miracles that have trailed his ministry, and one who champions the cause of the poor through empowerment initiatives, Dr. David Ogbueli will be joined by renowned ministers from within and outside Nigeria, including Evangelist Andres Bisonni, Dr. Charles Ndifon, Evangelist Dan Scott, Apostle Ikechukwu Nnajiofor, and several others.

Night of Glory has, in previous editions held across Nigeria’s cities, recorded remarkable results, such as immediate healings and freedom from chronic ailments, recovery of vision and movement after many years of paralysis, along with liberation from dependencies and emotional distress. Numerous participants have also shared testimonies of breakthroughs and big personal changes after the experience. Organisers state that this year’s event, in Abuja, is anticipated to exceed previous editions.

The event is intended for all individuals trusting God for divine intervention in any area of life.

Understanding the role of faith in the destiny of individuals and nations, a dedicated prayer session for Nigeria will take place during the crusade to tackle some of the current challenges being faced in the country and also to uplift he leaders and institutions before God.

Attendance is free, and registration is encouraged via the QR codes on event banners. Organisers expect a massive turnout as worshippers travel from across the country for what is anticipated to be a transformative encounter.

Adequate security and free transportation have been put in place ALL over the city of Abuja, while those outside Abuja are expected to join online.

Continue Reading

General

Rivers Speaker, 15 Other Lawmakers Leave PDP for APC

Published

on

rivers speaker Martin Amaewhule defect

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martin Amaewhule, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the plenary on Friday, Mr Amaewhule joined the ruling party from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), along with 15 other members of the state parliament.

This development comes some months after they had earlier declared their support for the APC in the wake of a crisis with the state governor, Mr Sim Fubura.

The lawmakers had an issue with Mr Fubura, which led to a state of emergency declared on the oil-rich state by President Bola Tinubu in March 2025.

This embargo was only lift in September 2025 after the duration of the six-month emergency rule in the state.

A few days ago, members of the Rivers Assembly passed a vote of confidence on President Tinubu, backing him to remain in office till 2031, when he would have spent eight years in office if re-elected in 2027.

Announcing their defection today, the lawmakers pinned their decision on the crisis rocking the PDP at the national level.

It is not certain if their political godfather, Mr Nyesom Wike, who is the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), will join them in APC.

Mr Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has been accused of instigating the crisis in the opposition PDP. He was expelled from the party last month at a national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Continue Reading

General

Nigeria Risks Brain Drain in Energy Sector—PENGASSAN

Published

on

energy sector

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has warned that Nigeria risks massive brain drain in the oil and gas sector due to poor remuneration.

The president of PENGASSAN, Mr Festus Osifo, said at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union on Thursday in Abuja that the industry was facing challenges arising from Naira devaluation and inflation, noting that, oil and gas skills remained globally competitive.

Painting an example, he said, “A drilling engineer in Nigeria does the same job as one in the US or Abu Dhabi,” noting that the union must take steps to bridge the wage gap to prevent members from leaving the country for better opportunities abroad.

“If we don’t act, the brain drain seen in other sectors will be child’s play,” he said.

According to him, PENGASSAN has recorded significant gains through collective bargaining across oil and gas branches.

“We signed numerous agreements across government agencies, IOCs, service and marketing sectors,” he said.

He said the agreements brought relief to members facing rising costs of living, adding that, the association’s duty is to protect members’ jobs and enhance their pay.

Mr Osifo urged companies delaying salary reviews and those foot-dragging as a result of the prevailing economic realities, to do the needful.

He said the industry employed some of the nation’s best talents, making competitive pay critical to retaining skilled workers.

“This industry recruits the best. Companies must provide the best conditions,” he said.

On insecurity, Mr Osifo urged government to take decisive action against terrorism and kidnappings across the country.

“We are tired of condemnations. government must expose sponsors and protect citizens,” he said.

He urged government at all levels to prioritise tackling insecurity through better funding and equipment for security agencies.

Mr Osifo said PENGASSAN supported calls for state police to improve local security response, adding that decentralising policing will protect citizens better than rhetoric.

He also said economic indicators meant little, if food prices remained high and farmers could not return to farms due to insecurity.

“Nigerians want to see food on the table, not macroeconomic figures,” he said, urging the government to coordinate fiscal and monetary policies to ensure economic gains reach households.

Continue Reading

Trending