VIRGIN HEART FOUNDATION MARKS THE INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL-CHILD IN IMO AND KATSINA STATES

PRESS RELEASE
                      VIRGIN HEART FOUNDATION
     INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE GIRL-CHILD
  2019 Theme — Girl-Force: Unscripted and Unstoppable
The last 25 years Beijing declaration, by 30,000 women and men from 200 countries, rise to the International Day of the Girl-Child
The Conference also recognized the rights of women and girls as human rights.
Today, these movements have expanded. They are being organized by and for adolescent girls, and tackling issues like child marriage, education inequality, gender-based violence, self-esteem, and girls’ rights to enter places of worship or public spaces during menstruation. Girls are proving they are unscripted and unstoppable.
This year, under the theme, “Girl-Force: Unscripted and unstoppable”, Virgin Heart Foundation celebrates achievements since the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. The International Day of the Girl Child focuses attention on the need to address the challenges girls face and their human rights.
Girls are breaking boundaries and barriers posed by stereotypes and exclusion, including those directed at children with disabilities and those living in marginalized communities. As entrepreneurs, innovators and initiators of global movements, girls are creating a world that is relevant for them and future generations.
Virgin Heart Foundation had in the last two years being a voice for the voiceless girls, who are either abused or vulnerable and Children who are violated by pedophiles.
We were spur into action on Sexual Violence Intervention at the case of a teenage girl who was repeatedly raped by her biological father for 13 months, hence the organization embarking on different sensitization programs to schools, churches and communities.
The Organization has reached-out to about two thousand girls through our awareness campaigns to schools.
Virgin Heart Foundation as women based group has also spread its reach to Katsina State, where our Volunteers, who are mostly young people are willing to make impacts.
We are seeking for passionate people to join in the movement for a just and safe society for girls and children, from various states in Nigeria.


………………….
Dike Peace
Convener
Virgin Heart Foundation.


Website:http://virginheartfoundation.com.ngEmail:vhf4girls@gmail.com
Facebookhttp://www.facebook.com/VHF4GIRLS phone  no-08123204947
Linkedln http://www.linkedin.com/in/virgin-heart-peace-dikeREGNumber CAC/IT/NO 103103

VIRGIN HEART FOUNDATION CONFERRED A HUMANITARIAN AWARD

Rotary Nigeria has recognized the selfless services of Virgin Heart Foundation by bestowing on it, a humanitarian service award.

It also acknowledged her significant support, selfless ad outstanding contributions rendered to the club and the society at large.

Convener, Virgin Heart Foundation, Peace Dike received the award on behalf of the foundation, at the event of the installation of the 13th President, Rotaract Club of Federal College of Land and Resources Technology, Owerri. Rotaract Chidinma Ebere Sandra.

CONGRATULATION..

AMB. UCHE OGBUAGU @47: WHEN PASSION MEETS OPPORTUNITY.

Perhaps, Elaine Maxwell had Amb. Uche Ogbuagu in mind when he posited, "my will shall shape the future! Whether I fail or succeed shall be no man's doing, but my own. I am the force, I can clear any obstacle before me or I can be lost in the maze. My choice, my responsibility, win or lose, only I hold the key to my destiny". This statement succintly portrays the life of Amb. Uche Ogbuagu as he clocks 47. Amb. Ogbuagu has not only carved a global niche for himself, he has allowed his passion to drive him into fulfilling his destiny to the glory of God.

This, also confirms Abraham Lincoln's view when he wrote, "you can have everything you want if you hold that desire with singleness of purpose". Amb. Uche Ogbuagu has gotten virtually everything he wants because he has pursued his desires with uncompromising passion and singleness of purpose. At 47, his passion for excellence has met with opportunity and the result is the humongous accomplishments he has recorded both for himself and for humanity.

A seasoned creative comedian and mass communication guru, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu means different things to different people. He is a change agent, result-oriented, mobilizer of men and resources, mentor, a defender of the oppressed, avid advocate for an egalitarian society, father figure, genuine philanthropist extraordinaire with a heart of gold and love. Amb. Ogbuagu believes in the philosophy that one can only use the power of love to overcome the love of power.

Highly cerebral and gifted, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu is an employer of labour and the proud owner of three flourishing radio stations and a television station in the offing. Myradio fm and Gold fm in Akabo Ikeduru, Imo State, and Real fm in Aba, Abia State. He has a knack for excellence, and has used his position to touch many lives within and outside his constituency. His historic emergence as the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly can simply be described as an act of God. He is not only godly, but takes delight in leading other people to Christ.

Born to the family of late Pa Alexandra and Madam Lovendar Ogbuagu on August 17, 1972 at Amii Akabo, Ikeduru LGA of Imo State, Amb. Ogbuagu attended Amii Akabo Primary School, Asa Triangle Primary School Aba and later completed his Primary Education at Abayi Ariaria Primary School Aba. He acquired his Secondary School Education at Comprehensive Secondary School Okpu-Umuobo in Osisioma LGA of Abia State, and later gained admission at Abia State University, Uturu, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication.

Amb. Ogbuagu was the head of Creative Media Department of the famous Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which rose to become the most intimidating political campaign platform ever witnessed on the Nigerian political scene since independence. In 2011, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu was appointed Special Assistant to the Governor of Imo State on Entertainment and Chief Comedian of the State, and he later became the Senior Special Assistant in 2013, a position he used to foster unity among artists and entertainers in the State under the auspices of Imo State Bureau for Entertainment.

His less than 100 days in office as the member representing Ikeduru State Constituency in the Imo State House of Assembly has witnessed unprecedented achievements and has brought fame and fortune to the good people of Ikeduru. He has placed the name of Ikeduru on global map and is among the first lawmakers to sponsor bills and motions in the current nineth Assembly.

This is inspite of the political shenanigans and manipulations that denied him a principal position he so much merited both by zoning and by qualifications, against the expectations of majority of Imolites and even his colleagues in the House. Announcements of principal officers were prefered to the standard practice of election. This clear injustice and complete circumvention of extant laws did not detered Amb. Uche Ogbuagu as he has gone ahead to prove that in football, it is not the jersey that a team adorns that win matches but the system of play.

His motions on the recovery of government properties allegedly converted by the immediate past administration, and his motion on the deplorable state of roads in Ikeduru, especially the Owerri Okigwe road at Ekemele Akabo are not only patrotic but has portrayed him as one with a clear cut idea of what he wants to achieve for his people. His views are not only respected by his colleagues in the House, he has become a rallying point among his colleagues members.

Amb. Ogbuagu is the House Committee Chairman on Budget and Appropriation. A committee he is expected to use in assisting the state governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha in the rebuilding project of the state, as well as attracting people oriented projects to the people of Ikeduru. He has used his position to foster unity in Ikeduru by incorporating the views of key stakeholders in the constituency in all his actions. His avowed commitment to use his position to better the lots of his constituents as encapsulated in his campaign promises is manifested in the number of projects he has embarked upon in less than 100 days in office with his personal resources.

It is heartwarming to note that majority of these self sponsored projects will be commissioned as part of the activities to celebrate his 47th birthday anniversary, as well as his less than 100 days in office as a state lawmaker. They include, ultra modern police station with officers quarters and borehole, patrol vehicle and power bikes donated to the police, rehabilitation of water borehole and building of modern lavatory at Ngugo Comprehensive Secondary School, construction of Interlocking roads in Akabo, rebuilding of Rt. Hon. Bethel Amadi's classroom block at Akabo High School, modernization of Orie-Akabo market with a banking facility, donation of 500kva transformer to Iho Dimeze, reconstruction and regrassing of Ikeduru Stadium Iho, etc.

Amb. Uche Ogbuagu has before now paid school fees for indigent students in both secondary schools and universities, secured employment for Ikeduru indigenes, settled hospital bills of some less privileged people and assisted Ikeduru indigenes to start various businesses.

As Amb. Uche Ogbuagu clocks 47, the people of Ikeduru are united in thanking God for the gift of this illustrious son of Ikeduru.  A man that has sufficiently proven that true leaders do not seek power; they rather seek to empower. It is indeed a new dawn for the people of Ikeduru, a new narrative of quality representation and sustainable development. Happy 47th birthday to a quintessential and consumate family man.

*Kelechi Eke is a media consultant and public affairs analyst*

IMO LAWMAKERS ECHO ON AMB. OGBUAGU MOTION TO RECONSTRUCT EKEMELE ROAD.

A motion urging the Governor of Imo state, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha to declare a state of emergency on Ikeduru roads has been moved at the floor of Imo state House of Assembly.

The motion, as subsequently adopted by the House, was moved by the member representing Ikeduru state constituency, Hon. Ambassador Uche Ogbuagu during plenary.

Leading debate, Ambassador Ogbuagu regretted that Ikeduru, which was historical given its position to the growth and development of the Imo, has been neglected by past governments, leaving its inhabitants in untold suffering.

He lamented over the deplorable condition of the roads in the area, expressing fear that, sooner than later, the area may be cut off from other parts of the state due to bad roads.

Hon. Uche Ogbuagu stated that the Ekemele road which has long been a source of nightmare to both motorists and pedestrians, is a major link road that connects Isiala-Mbano, Onuimo, Okigwe and some other states like Anambra and Abia.

He appealed that holistic action be taken on the Ekemele spot to ease the vehicular movement and reduce the spate of accidents often recorded on the spot.

Earlier in his prayers, he recalled that Ikeduru was the first place oil was discovered by the shell in 1949, regretting that the present position of the area in terms of infrastructures, is nothing to write home about.

"Ikeduru, as many may not know, is the food basket of the state. As I speak today, the place has no motorable road and this is very unfortunate. I admit that this motion is coming a bit but my people have suffered so much especially on that Ekemele road."

"Therefore, I'm calling on the rebuild Imo government to declare a state of emergency on all Ikeduru roads or the people will be cut off from the municipal as a result of bad roads."

He asked that the speaker, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins constitute a committee that which will undertake an on-the-spot assessment of the Ekemele road with a view to fixing it as a matter of urgency.

Meanwhile, he has called on members to support the motion, noting that the people of his area are not in the mess alone as that, according to him, is a link road.

Our reported revealed that the motion received massive support and when the speaker, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins put it to vote, the I's had it.

Copied from Ifeanyi Iheakanwa

IMO ASSEMBLY MOVES TO RETRIEVE ILLEGALLY ACQUIRED LANDS BY PAST ADMINISTRATION.

Member representing Ikeduru State Constituency, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu

The Imo state house of assembly,  has invited  past government officials at the Ministry of lands, especially the director of the ministry, J.J Udeh, Hon. Kingsley Uju, Dr. Eburuo and the immediate past Governor's Aides to give account of their stewardship.

The invitation followed a motion of state urgent importance moved by the member representing Ikeduru state constituency, Amb uche ogbuagu. The motion is anchored on investigating
the unlawful conversion of some government and individual lands into private use especially, the IMO Broadcasting Corporation, IBC, Quarters, Orji, which Senator Rochas okorocha converted to a school, Rochas Foundation College among others.

Amb. Ogbuagu said the motion would provide answers to the yearning of IMO people, whose lands were illegally converted without due compensation for their property.


He decried that most landowners whose lands were grabbed by previous administration,have either met their untimely death or languished in poverty.
 The lawmaker called on the 9th house of assembly to constitute a judiciary panel of enquiry and public complaints committee to receive complaint by IMO people so as  to retrieve the landed property.  
The member representing Owerri North state constituency, Philip Ejiogu, who seconded the motion, said it will be a great feat for him, if the Former IBC Quarters is retrieved. He urged the House, to quickly summon the offenders.

Supporting the prayer, the Member representing Owerri West State Constituency, Kanayo Onyemachi supported the motion, adding that he would ensure that landed properties in Owerri West illegally taken by the former governor, will be retrieved.

The motion is in line with Governor Emeka Ihedioha's rebuild Imo mantra, as contained in his inaugural speech to revert all lands, unlawfully acquired by the past administration, to the rightful owners.


Peace Dike

Member representing Ikeduru state Constituency, Amb. Uche Ogbuagu Speaks..

Thanks so very much Mr. Speaker, I must say that this is the day the Lord has made-Ndi Imo will rejoice and be glad in it. These are lyrics of a popular gospel song and I have decided to make this adaptation because Imolites will be happy and fulfilled by the time my prayers in this motion are assented to by this Honorable House.
Mr. Speaker, nothing will interest and impress Ndi Imo than this move to correct the excesses & anomalies exhibited & perpetrated by the immediate past administration especially in the area of land grabbing and illegal conversion of individual and public lands to personal use by the last governor and his family members as well as his aides.
Mr. Speaker, I made a resolution and got the approval of my immediate family not to delve into anything, any issue that concerns the former 1st family of this state, for very personal reasons, but for the high expectations of Ndi Imo who voted us to come and rebuild Imo, for the cries, yearnings and groaning of many helpless citizens who are suffering this fate, I took a U-turn.
Mr. Speaker, it is a known fact, well established and undeniable that land grabbing and illegal conversion of people’s lands was the order of the day in the last dispensation. In fact it was their stock in trade.
I know of a widow whose husband’s only land was grabbed and converted to a private school belonging today to an aide to the former governor- I know of a family friend who died of heart attack when he get frustrated with the high costs of ligitation over his land that was grabbed. Most worrisome    Mr. Speaker, is the impunity, the inhuman effrontery with which the illegality was perpetrated even in most of the well known public properties- for instance the IBC staff quarters in Orji, Uratta, Owerri North.
Mr. Speaker, as a Media Executive, I know how it feels to work in a state owned media House where you give in your best, with just meager wages, only to be thrown out one morning without notice or an alternative accommodation- whereas the facility is your basic fringe benefit or entitlement while in service- only because the governor desired to have his private school sited there. What can be more disheartening and devastating in life?
Mr. Speaker, the examples of such helpless and hopeless situations arising from such illegality of grabbing & conversion of lands is endless. I therefore pray this Honorable House    Mr. Speaker to constitute a judiciary panel of enquiry as well as public complaints committee to receive complaints from affected Imolites, as well as conduct investigations to ascertain the status and genuiness of ownership of such landed properties- whether developed or not.
I assure you Mr. Speaker, Distinguished colleagues, that the revelations & expositions will be shocking. Ndi Imo will be happy again, public confidence in Imo government will be restored especially where punitive measures are taken.          I mean where those found guilty of such criminal actions will be made to face adequate punishments, it will also serve as a deterrent in the future, even to us.
It will serves as a deterrent even to us

VIRGIN HEART FOUNDATION JOINS OTHER NGOs FOR COZA PROTESTS

 
Petition to Protest COZA Trustees to take action regarding multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Pst Biodun Fatoyinbo

Background & Explanation
Reports of accusation of sexual misconduct against the Snr. Pst of COZA has been agog social media in a while. First with Ms. Ese Walters in 2013. Most recently with Mrs. Busola Dakolo in a video interview on YTV .

Accusations of sexual violence like rape by women should not be taken lightly particularly by the church - a place of succour and refuge.

Leadership of the Church need to be awakened that they are not exempted from accountability and authority.

COZA needs to take a stance that no form of misconduct is permitted by leadership under any disguise. This should be investigated with no favours.

Action Petitioned For:
We, the undersigned, are concerned that allegations are taken lightly by the church and are calling for COZA Trustees and Executive council and leaders to act now to:

1) Automatically institute an in-house investigation with no partiality or favours

We demand that an in-house committee should be set up to investigate accusations as well as the happenings in the pastoral care and shine light into other areas to get to the bottom of this. Like a truth and reconciliation commission. This will give others who are wounded or those who just need to bear their burdens an opportunity to do so.

2) Step down of Pst Fatoyinbo as Snr Pastor and non functional during the sitting of the above committee.

We demand that Pst Biodun Fatoyinbo step down as senior pastor of the church during this time for transparency and integrity of committee's report.

3) Mandate the committee to propose recommendations in readdressing management of conflict and disciplinary processes within the church.

We demand that during the reporting process and before a decision is reached by the Committee, the church should make arrangements to ensure that respondents with a complaint are not stigmatized and that survivors may continue their worship path without re- traumatization.

4) Uphold the virtues of Christ*

We demand that the administration uphold the virtues of Christ in all truth not wavering or showing favourism. An accuse cannot be defending himself still holding the rudder of leadership. This is not a war on the church but a person.

We are a coalition of gender advocates and all we want is for justice to prevail and healing for wounded.

We demand accountability, because we know that where there is Power( be it in church, Mosque, work institutions, or places of learning, even in the family) there is bound to be abuse, if unchecked.

To this end, we are staging a peaceful protest at Coza Church, Lagos, Sheba center, 20 Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja GRA, Lagos

*Time of convening : 8.45am, at the FCMB Bank close to Sheba Center .

Signed :

Herfessions
Heartminders Initiative
Bruised but not Broken Initiative
Media Concern Initiative -for Women & Children (MediaCon)
IProtect
Dr. Princess Olufemi-Kayode
Osasu Paul- Azino
Tonia Ojenagbon
Funke Oguntuga
Help for Victims of Domestic Abuse Foundation
A Girl Project
Above Whispers Foundation
Laila St Matthew-Daniel
ACTS Generation GBV
Alliances for Africa
Gender Advocacy for Justice Initiative (GAJI)
Centre for Children's Health, Orientation, Education and Protection (CEE-HOPE)
Kathlyn Eyitemi
Women advocates research and Documentation Center
Women’s rights and health project
Amazing Grace Inspirations.
Global Rights
Centre for Womens Health and Information
Arise Nigerian Woman Foundation
Initiative for Sustaining Family Unity
Association Against Child Sexual and Gender Based Violence
Women Law and Development Centre (WLDCN)
Centre for womens Health and Information (CEWHIN)
Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre
Gender Relevance Initiative Promotion  (GRIP)
Greenspring Development Initiative
Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation (GLOHWOC)
Dorothy Njemanze Foundation
Girls Inspired Development Network
FAME Foundation
Women Africa
Alliance for Inclusion
Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND)
Daria Media Foundation
Women Radio 91.7
Vision Spring initiatives
Lateef K. Akinborode,
Aderonke Oyelakin
Bintu Ajao
HEIR Women Development
Esther Ijewere
Women of Rubies
Mercy Makinde
Amazing Amazon
Feyi Luther Mbanugo
Project Alert on Violence Against Women
Women for Peace and Gender Equality Initiative
Uzoma Aneto
NDOF - Nde Oduko Foundation
Dr. Charmaine Pereira
Working Moms Africa
Emerge Women
Women Empowerment and Reproductive Health Centre
Cece Yara Foundation
Int Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH)
First Future Leadership in the protest
Matilda Otitoloju-Iyaniwura
Ngozi Ekwerike-Okoro
Child to Child Network
Ngozi Nwosu-Juba
Nigerian Women Trust Fund
Association against Child Sexual and Gender
Based Violence
Noble Delta Women for Peace and Development
Vision Spring initiatives
Take a Cue Development initiative
Morenike Omaiboje
Women's Consortium of Nigeria (WOCON)
Feyi Luther Mbanugo
Wumi Asubiaro Dada
WREP
Disability Rights Advocacy Center (DRAC)
Network of Organizations of Women With Disabilities (NOWWD)
BraveHeart Initiative for Youth & Women
Education as a Vaccine
Black Women of Influence and Inspiration
Centre for Media Resources in Development (CEMERDEV).
BrenCare Foundation
Dr. Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi
Virgin Heart Foundation