If you truly want to succeed in any endeavor, you must be hungry for that goal. How hungry are you for the things you want in your life?
Determination fuels your motivation and will keep you moving forward.
Everyone has challenges and obstacles in their life. It is part of the process of life that we must go through. And as much as we would prefer that things don't feel or get chaotic, the reality is that it will.
But challenges and obstacles are no excuse to give in or give up. Some people think their current circumstances give them just cause to let go of their dreams or to stop moving forward. Not! You don't have that luxury. If you are hungry for success, hungry for a certain way of life, hungry for whatever it is you desire, you don’t get to make excuses for not moving forward or not continuing on that path.

Sometimes when faced with insurmountable challenges, people give in and give up at the precise moment when things are about to change, when success or accomplishment is right there waiting for them to press past the obstacle. You have to be willing to press with all the determination and faith you have inside you.                                                     Chief Alex Nallo Jr., Motivational Speaker & Serial Entrepreneur

Through volunteering, one can find friends while reaching out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance in career - Jennifer Umeh

Hello people, its another weekend and we want to thank you for taking time out to visit our blog and read our inspiring stories. This week we have Jennifer Umeh a young and hard working lady that has done so much to impact and improve lives. In an exclusive interview with Sukurat Adenike Adelodun, she shared her experience and passion! 
Here are the excepts :

Tell us about your work: how you came to work as a humanitarian and what you were doing before?

I wanted to be a Journalist and worked in a media house. I think that desire was what made me what I have become today. While nursing my desire for Journalism, I became a freelance writer with The Nation Newspaper. I have also contributed in the production of different Magazines/Newspapers.

My first voluntary service began after I had attended the Educate a Girl Nigeria workshop in Lagos. The workshop was an eye-opener to me as I became aware of too many illicit behaviours bedevilling the girl child around the world such as child marriage, sexual assault, violence against
I have been lucky enough to have many mentors in my life. I believe that one mentor may not be enough to guide one in all the things that one may encounter in career and life.  I found mentors so valuable because usually they have been around the block and have already tackled the issues I am facing.  They can tell me what to avoid as much as guide me on what I could do.  All mentors are important but my best mentor, the woman who transformed my life  is Mrs Juliet Kego Ume-Onyido, founder of Whole woman Network.

»»What are the key projects you have accomplished?
We are supporting community-based schools in Africa and our literacy effort is playing an instrumental role in ensuring that young girls in Africa have access to education. It is an investment that will give dividends to generations unborn. Globally, enormous progress has been made in closing the gender gap in primary education over the last 20 years.

This year, we have mentored and empowered over 1000 young girls in Nigeria.

Our projects includes:
1.  Social Action Project: The aim of the project is to address one of the social issue affecting our communities such as
•Access to Education for all.
•Sexual Assault
•Violence against girls

2. A Day with a Girl Child: To ensure a better future for our girls. They will have to be shaped and properly guided. The A Day with a Girl Child project is mainly for children between 6-13 years old. The program involves:

•Career Talks,
•Educational Discussions
•Mentoring and Quizzes.

3. Community Outreach: This project is mainly for the street children and the Less privileged children. It includes...

• School Empowerment for female students
• Back to school/ enrolling at least 1 out of school girls in school.


An education inspection of the
educational system reveals that many pupils finished their schooling without being able to read. Therefore, we shall focus on both the quality of education and enrolment rates because we know that educating girls has tremendous multiplying effects on families and societies.

.
»» What does Volunteering  look like to you?
With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer to help people. However, the benefits of
voluntary services are enormous.

Through volunteering, one can find friends while reaching out to the community, learn new skills, and even advance in career. Helping others can also help protect one's  mental and physical health.
 I’ve come to believe that anyone can do this “Volunteering” anywhere.

»»What is your long-term goal?

Dr. Thomas Dooley, US Navy Physician once said, “Dedicate some of your life to others. Your dedication will not be a sacrifice. It will be an exhilarating experience because it is an intense effort applied toward a meaningful end.”



My ultimate goal is to contribute to the improvement of girl-child education in Africa and to put a stop to issues militating the development of the girl child, such as sexual assault, violence against girls and child marriage. My dream is to locate those gifted young girls who deserve a chance to education but may not be able to get near it due to lack of funds.
I would very much like to be in a position where I could do something to make that dream a reality. As my life moves forward, I want to see thousands of girls having their future aspirations fulfilled.

»»Where do you see Hope for African Girls Initiative (HAGI)  in 5years time?

In five years time, I want to see HAGi impacting more lives and bringing succour to underprivileged girls. I want to see thousands of girls, having their aspirations fulfilled. I desire to see more development partners, partnering with HAGi to ensure full realisation of our set goals.

I desire to see HAGi being at the fulcrum, championing a campaign against child marriage & other violence against young girls.




What’s your advice to young people who want to make a difference but aren’t sure of how?

“There is no greater thing you can do with your life and your work than follow your passions in a way that serves the world and you.” - Richard Branson.

You must not wait until you become affluent before you impact people. Successful people always focus on the positive side even when they know challenges are inevitable.
Start with small steps. I did not magically start speaking to young people all at once. I started with trainings, and conferences. But that is not even strictly a requirement to get engaged. Helping a less fortunate individual by sharing your food or your time is a good start. Also volunteering in outreach programs and participating or joining in school and community-based organizations could help. But educating one’s self and caring sufficiently enough to really know the other person’s concerns are keys to engaging and making a difference. After all, the world may be vast but we are really just connected invariably and inevitably. “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” —Pablo Picasso

Day of the African Child

By Sukurat Adenike Adelodun

International Day of the African Child takes place every 16th of June. It started in the year 1991,when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity. The day  is set aside to honor those who participated in the Soweto Uprising in 1976.

However,It also raises awareness of the continuing need for improvement of the education provided to African children.

The theme of this year's Day of the African Child is  - Right to participate: Let Children be seen and heard.

Its worthy to note that too often the young are not able to participate and their voices are not heard. In many emergencies they are portrayed as the striking but mute victims.

Some countries are still not listening to them not to talk of laying good foundations for the world they will inherit. Its no longer news that there are few opportunities for children and young people to actively participate in civic society,awfully the  truth is that far too many are silenced before they even have a chance of life.

Furthermore, In West and Central Africa two out 10 children do not reach the age of 5. To this end,there is more  to be done. We need to make sure that communities and families are better resourced to save children and give them lives where their potential is fulfilled. It's high time our leaders wake up from their slumber and its time for we the African youth to take charge. Be active, don't give in to rejection or failure. Let your voice be heard, make use of the available resources. Utilize the use of Social Media positively and impact lives with it.


Hello, you have something that distinct you from your brother search within you and identify it , it will help in grooming those around you. We don't have to depend on the government all the time by lamenting or apportioning blames, rather touch lives, stay positive and be active by improving your community,with time they will look for you.
Arise o you African Child follow your dreams and appreciate that skills that you've got for it can never be taken away from you.
Be the Voice to the Voiceless,
Say no to Child Marriage,
Say no to Child abuse,
Say no to Child Trafficking,
Say no to Violence act against Children,
We deserve easy acess to good Health Facilities,
We deserve Love and Care,
We deserve the Right to Life and Education
Together we can make Africa a better place as the great leaders of tomorrow.
Day of African Child is worth celebrating!
God bless Africa!

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Blood connects us all

Today is the World Blood Donor Day, it is celebrated all over the world on every 14th of June. The theme for this year's celebration is " Blood Connects us all" and truly it does connects us all because no human survives without a drop of blood in his/her body.
However,the first World Blood Donor Day was observed in 2004, which was followed by its designation as an annual global event by the fifty-eighth World Health Assembly in 2005. World Blood Donor Day is now celebrated each year throughout the world on 14 June to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and to recognize the contribution of voluntary unpaid blood donors in saving lives and improving health.

World Blood Donor Day has a further purpose: to create wider awareness throughout the world about the need for availability and appropriate use of safe blood and blood products, and the need for many more people to make a commitment to regular voluntary unpaid blood donation.

The date of 14 June is the birthday of Karl Landsteine (1868 -1943), an Austrian biologist and physician, considered to be the “founder” of modern blood transfusion. Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood groups in 1901, developed the modern system of classification of blood groups, and identified, in 1937, together with Alexander S. Wiener, the Rhesus factor, thus enabling physicians to transfuse blood without endangering a patient’s life.

World Blood Donor Day provides a springboard for blood safety programmes and campaigns throughout the year, as well as wider activities to strengthen blood transfusion services. It is designed to complement rather than replace the national blood donor days or weeks that are organized in a number of countries. Some are held at the same time as World Blood Donor Day while others take place at different times of the year.
Furthermore, to donate your blood please make sure you consider the steps below:
1. CHECK TO SEE IF YOU'RE ELIGIBLE : Blood banks may be in high demand for blood, but they won’t take just anyone. Most states require individuals be at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds — if not, they could be turned away. People may also be ineligible if they recently got a tattoo, have risky sex, low blood pressure, or anemia. In the case of the latter, the person drawing your blood will prick your finger to ensure iron levels are high enough for a safe donation.
2. MAINTAIN IRON LEVELS: If you're confident you're an eligible donor, search for the nearest donation center through the Red Cross. Bring a government-issued ID with you, like a drivers license, passport,  National ID, Voters card or birth certificate; a list of the medications you're currently taking; and be sure to eat a meal that's low in fat and high in iron an hour before you're set to give blood. White or wheat bread, non-fat yogurt, eggs, spinach, and bananas are all good foods to choose from. It’s important to have your blood flowing at top caliber; high iron levels keep you alert and less at risk for fainting. But just in case, ask a friend or family member to go with you so you don't have to worry about driving home afterwards.

3. SQUEEZE : Roll up your sleeves and let the trained healthcare professional prep your arm. They’ll ask you to squeeze a ball in order to get more blood pumping through your veins, which makes it easier to find an eligible vein. Once you’ve been cleaned with iodine, a sterile needle is inserted into the crock of your elbow for up to 12 minutes or until roughly one pint of blood and a few test tubes are drawn. For donors who have a fear of needles, now's the time to bring out any distractions you brought along: a book, calming playlist, or even topics of conversation for health personnel. Otherwise keeping your eye on the prize, the lives your blood could affect, can help get you through it.

4. COOL DOWN : The tubes may be filled, but you’re not done yet. The area where the needle went in may be bruised and require an ice application within the first 24 hours to reduce swelling or discoloring. You’ll be ushered over to a station where snacks, juices, and water bottles are provided to help keep your sugar levels up and prevent you from feeling dizzy.

5. DRINK PLENTY OF FLUIDS: Your blood will undergo more than a dozen tests to screen for any diseases or abnormalities. If something is found, the blood is discarded and the donor is contacted. But when you leave the actual day of donation, avoid arduous exercise or heavy lifting and remember to drink plenty of fluids. It's also a good idea to avoid caffeinated or alcoholic beverages, as they dehydrate the body. And if you were able to conquer your fear, enjoy the experience, don't rush to make another appointment. You’ll have to wait at least eight weeks between donations, sometimes longer depending upon your weight and health. Generally speaking, those training for marathons or other intensive activities should wait until after the race.
Conclusively, presently an  important objective of the World Blood Donor Day is to concentrate on national efforts on bettering the safety and sufficiency of national blood supplies by promoting a significant increase in the number of safe, voluntary non-remunerated blood donors who can donate blood regularly

Realization of an uneasy dream of a teenager

By Sukurat Adenike Adelodun

To have a dream is not a waste of time. Even if it appears unrealistic or being redirected by unforeseen circumstances, just like Nike dreamt of a perfect future for herself before trial twisted it otherwise, it never means you would not achieve your dream if exert consistency, focus and dedication.

Nike is the first child of her mother’s 6 children, and 13th of a polygamous family of 14 children. Though, she had the best that life could offer her as a child and shared intimate friendship with her aged father. As prominent in her culture, last child of a family gets best care from both parents and which does not exclude older members of the family, but death snatched her best friend (father) when she was 9.



Nike had lived in better days, tasted flavour that God offered at its rosy moment and for someone who was brought up with a silver spoon, and had to live without same spoon, there must be someone who understood that episode of life, to explain to the little girl whose knowledge was yet to develop.



She met Tunji at the age of 21 when she was attending a Computer School prior to her admission into Tertiary Institution. They started dating and within a year, she got pregnant for Tunji. It took her a while before she got to know that she was pregnant, consequent to the continuation of her menstrual flow. Tunji’s denial of being responsible for the pregnancy left Nike’s mother seriously heartbroken, which resulted into Nike’s several failed attempts to abort the pregnancy.

Her pregnancy coincided with a Provisional Admission Offer to study Mass Communication at a Nigerian Polytechnic. What a blessing in disguise! When she received a divine favour from the school’s Director of Part-Time Studies who paid for her tuition and as well registered her for antenatal at a General Hospital around the school. Few months later, she delivered a beautiful baby girl who was kept with the School’s Clinic Nanny whenever Nike was to attend classes – an initiative of the Director and the School Clinic’s Matron.



Nike revisited her childhood dream of becoming a well-to-do individual, thus,  graduated with a Pass and was awarded a Certificate in Ordinary National Diploma (OND), but got more determined to make a good grade when  she enrolled for Higher National Diploma (HND) and came out with a Lower Credit with 3.99GPA. Nike  got an opportunity to work with a specialized Media Firm and that was how  she began the journey into Media industry.

While going on with the profession she used her experience of being a single mother at a young age to talk to young people of her age and those younger, and, most of them listen and turned a new leaf. This motivated her to focus more on community service by counselling young people and also contributing her quota to develop her community through volunteer activities with some NGOs within the country, Nike was also selected as the Coordinator of West for an NGO called WholeWomanNetwork.
Her zeal, quest for knowledge and interest in the Social Media has helped to open door of great opportunities to meet great people who contributed to her success and those who encourage and believe in what she does.

Recently, owing to her life experience and passion for community development, Nike was amongst the selected 35 Nigerians and 105 West African Young Leaders for YALI Cohort 3 of the US President Barack Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) where she was trained on Civic Society and Leadership at the Regional Leadership Centre, Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, GIMPA, Accra. Nike’s passion for Community Development and Human Investment gave birth to Future for Future Initiatives (FFI) – an NGO saddled with the responsibility of impacting positively on young people through education, empowerment and environmental health awareness creation.

Today,  Nike is happily married and blessed with a set of twin. Nothing can be this better for her as she is doing well in her chosen career as well as impacting lives of Teenagers in Ilorin, Kwara State, a North Central State of Nigeria.  While Ope, her first child whom she gave to birth while in Polytechnic, is now in a Secondary School and in good relationship with her father who has since assumed responsibility as well as accept paternity of the child.

Whereas, the joy of motherhood is immeasurable just as the challenges can be pain-staking. If one believes in his or her dreams, it can be achieved, just  Nike's case; she  never relented nor gave up; despite the trials faced in the early part of her life.

Don’t get rid of that pregnancy all because he denies responsibility. That baby has a right to life, don’t give in to criticism, it is just to bring out the best in you when it comes. That you failed today does not mean you are a failure, but it means you should try harder. Trials don’t last forever because tough times don’t last but tough people do.

Precaution for unwanted pregnancy has not changed measure from staying off premarital sex completely as well as all elements that could desire it.

Remember Harriet Tubman said:
‘Every great dream begins with a dreamer, always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars in order to change the world’.

Apathy and complacency are the real enemies of love. They sneak up on people like small leaks in a boat and drain away imaginations until motivations to grow are lost. When you fall into the chasm of downward energy, it’s vital to continue dreaming and acting on dreams to develop as humans. Your dreams take consistent enthusiasm to keep them burning. A small movement or an action is all you need to keep your enthusiasm. Take a small action each day to keep it alive. Recommit to letting your mind explore new possibilities by conceptualizing your biggest dreams and acting on them.  By doing this consistently, you’ll start to realize your dreams one step at a time.

 Nike never gave up, that was why  she could still retrace her steps and be a happy mother today, and yours isn’t an exception, so make the stars your starting point and not your limits.