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All-Stars FC Kubwa Make Yuletide Special For Children Living With Disabilities

Published

5 years ago

December 14, 2020

Joel Ajayi

Despite having nothing to do with the children, young, and adults living with disabilities, All Stars Football Club Kubwa has made their impact felt with the donation of food items, beverages and toiletries Daughters of Charity Service For Children With Special Needs Hope Center Kubwa in Abuja.

The visit, which took place on Saturday 12th of December 2020 in collaborations with Generous Care Foundation, Queen Favour Mikado foundation, and JDPC who’s as well donated the gifts for the children.

The Gesture was the first Corporate Social Responsibility outing of All-Stars FC Kubwa, and it may just have ushered in the Christmas season quite early for the children with special needs.

A highlight of the occasion is when music was played for the children with special needs they danced to the stupor and were excited and happy like never before.

In his address, the Chairman of Abuja All-Stars Football Clubs of Kubwa Mr. Godwin Ekpah, expressed that, hope center for children, young and adults living with disabilities mean so much to the club

“That is why we bring lover of men, Generous Care Foundation, Queen Favour Mikado foundation, and JDPC others as well known that its Christmas period we need to celebrate with them.

“We have identified their needs, it’s not just playing football but also looking around to torch life, we don’t play football to go and make money, most of us are ex-players and this is our Corporate Social Responsibility CSR is giving back to society.

“It’s not easy when you understand what people pass through in life, these children are physically challenged, they were born with it but as you can see, they did not think of all that, what you see here is happiness in them, they feel excited and they feel alive.”

He, however, called on well-meaning Nigerian to always come to the need of these special people; “I encourage men are women who are in a position to give back to society lend a hand of help and assistant to people with a special need.”

Speaking also was the 2020 runner-up of Miss Tourism Edo state, Queen Favour Mikado who was overwhelmed for being part of organizations that put smiles on the faces of people with special needs.

She said: “It’s all about giving back to society, we want to reach out to the less-privilege, no matter how little, we are here to celebrate this wonderful children’s I won’t call them disable that is why we are here with these gift items to show some support for them.

“This is just a starting point, we hope to continue and do it bigger and better next year and in the years to come.”

Miss Mikado, therefore, offered a word of advice for the children not to see their physical look or mental ability as a limitation in whatever they are doing while urging beauty pageants to as from time to time reach out to people living with disabilities.

“My message to them is that they are not living with a disability, there is ability in disability they just need special needs and we are here to support them, no matter how little they should have it in mind that whatever they want to achieve with determination they can achieve it, the sky is just a starting point.

“While I call on my colleagues out there, it’s not all about being beautiful or been a pageant when you win a pageant it’s an opportunity to really touch the lives who are in need.”

A representative of the Managing Director, Generous Care Foundation, Mrs Ijeoma Ofume, also commended the efforts of the management of Hope Centre in taking care of the children, while reassuring her Foundation’s readiness to continue supporting children these with special needs.

On her own, the Assistant Administrator of Daughters of Charity Center For Hope, Sr. Sylvia Anyanwu DC in her address, expressed appreciation to donors for their love for the less privileged.

According to her we are extremely happy to take care of them, we will not relent they are part of us and we are part of them.

Also, she equally appealed to well-meaning Nigerians to help upgrade the school to an inclusive school where children living with or without disabilities can learn together and interact with one another. This will promote friendship amongst children of all kinds and increase compassion in their midst.

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Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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