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AUXANO Foundation Bringing Hope To Hopeless

Published

5 years ago

February 22, 2021

…As Taka-Lafia Community In FCT Get First Graduate –

Joel Ajayi

Without mincing words, a non-governmental organization known as Auxano Foundation for Empowerment and Development AFED, based in the federal capital territory, is working around the clock to bring hope to the hopeless and give a voice to the needs of the ordinary citizen in the country and beyond.

Through its various programs, Auxano Foundation has indeed demonstrated a determination to put a smile on the faces of the needy.

Its campaigns are based on education, girl-child education, empowerment and eradication of human trafficking in the country.

Auxano Foundation, recently through its activities, has taken charity into the next level with investment in Human Capital Development, with the successful sponsorship of an indigent Nigerian, Mr. Jonathan Tumuyi, to aid in the pursuit of achieving his dreams of University education.

Mr. Jonathan, a Gbagyi indigene from Taka-Lafia, a suburb community that has been existing since the 16th century in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory, successfully passed out of his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on Thursday, Feb. 18, being the first graduate from his community with the help and assistance of Auxano foundation.

A 30-year-old, graduate of Educational Administration and Planning defiled all odds to become the first graduate for the community. In an interview with THE GLEAMER NEWS, on Saturday in Abuja, the Director in the foundation, Dr. Grace Babajide, appreciated God on behalf of the organization for the inspiration and successfully completing Tumuyi’s University education.

She said the foundation took the sponsorship of Jonathan right from his 200 level when he was being confronted with too many challenges to cope with, one of which was finance. According to her, Tumuyi was about dropping-out from the University as a result of the challenges but fate drew him to the Charity foundation during one of their outreach to distribute food items to his community.

She said that as of today, Tumuyi is a graduate of`Educational Administration and Planning’, from the prestigious University of Abuja, he did not disappoint the foundation, neither did he disappoint himself. She called on the government to support the Taka-Lafia community who lacks basic amenities, adding that, in the modern-day 21st century, a community could only boost the first graduate without hope of producing any in the nearest future. She, however, urged the youth to borrow a leaf from Jonathan who was focused and determined in choosing his career. She also called on the Nigerian youth to be wary of human traffickers adding that, trafficking issue was on the rise in the country.

According to her, her foundation is working with rescue organizations by carrying out campaign against human trafficking in schools, both primary and secondary to know the dangers attracted to the menace.

Dr (Mrs) Babajide said that most of the funds used in carrying out all the humanitarian assistance were being raised from the pocket of members of the foundation, and called for partnership from well-meaning Nigerians.

“Funding is our major challenge, structure is another one. Currently, we are still a group of volunteers, we don’t really have much, we do things from our pocket, there is no single backing from anywhere,” she said.

**Behold the face of Mr Jonathan Tumuyi the Taka-Lafia community first graduate**

On his part, the beneficiary support, Tumuyi, was full of appreciation to the foundation and urged the government and other NGO’s to come to the aid of the poor masses by supporting them particularly the Taka-Lafia community.

Mr Tumuyi expressed: “Without Auxano Foundation, I wouldn’t have been what I am today.” According to him, in the community called Taka-Lafia when I was a child, I had a passion for education.

“I attended primary school in the village and I proceeded to the government secondary school, Airport where I covered kilometers before getting to school because as at the time, that was the nearest school and from there, I proceeded to Niger State College of Education Minna and after that, I stayed at home for some time, and that gave me more determination to further my education, because I am the only person in the community that have a passion for education and today I am so fulfilled.

“When Auxano foundation came to our community on the14th February 2017 on outreach, they have been a serious help to us, because in our community, I can say we have been marginalized in terms of government presence but when they came and they discovered that Taka-Lafia is under Abuja, they were shocked. “So, they started giving us necessary help to ensure the community comes to being.

“They didn’t help me alone, but they helped the entire community, they gave us basic amenities like bole-hole and organised some health outreach and for me, they made so many impact in my life, educationally, financially and in many other aspects of the community. And when I was in school, they assisted me with funds. “Since God has made them to be a loving organization, having passion for the poor, I want to solicit that government support them to do more.”

However, the Foundation visited the Kuchingoro IDP camp in Abuja in commemoration of the 2020 World Refugee Day, as a way of raising awareness to the plights of displaced persons in Nigeria.

The effort was in collaboration with Teach for Change Nigeria, Yudee Foundation and Healthy and Smart Children Foundation with support from the United Nations with the theme “Every Action Counts.

Also, the Foundation, whose aim is to empower and develop the girl-child in Nigeria, had in the past, as part of her enlightenment campaign, organized a career choice counseling to Government Girls Secondary School Dutse, Abuja, to support the girls to exploit their full potential.

This was part of the Foundations’ annual school and college programs since 2012, on Education Activism to help students, especially girls, to develop mental resilience, confidence and maximize their potentials in line with Sustainable Development Goal, (SDG)-4, among others.

Recall that Auxano Foundation for Empowerment and Development (AFED), a non-governmental organization had embarked on advocacy for greater global support for refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

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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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