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Corps Member Leads War Against Open Defecation, Donates Toilets Facility to Dakwa Community

Published

5 years ago

January 14, 2021

…1,000 women to enjoy free genotyping and blood grouping

Joel Ajayi

While others are using their allowees to purchase unnecessary things, a kindhearted Youth Corps Member, Dr. Vincent Emmanuel Chidera, has decided to use his own to ameliorate the suffering of people by donating a 4-unit toilet facility to the Dakwa community in Dei-Dei, in the Federal Capital Territory.

The facility will no doubt help more than 60 Almajiri children who resorted to open defecation because of lack of adequate toilet facilities.

Not only that, in partnership with Dr. Chidera’s Place of Primary Assignment, 1000 women of reproductive age group 15-49 in the communities will enjoy free genotyping and blood grouping.

Dr. Chidera is from the South-East, born and bred in the North, schooled in the South, and currently serving at the EL-HUSSAN Specialist Hospital in Dei-Dei in Abuja.

However, the commissioning of the Community Development Service Project of Dr. Chidera attracted the attention of NYSC Headquarter and the FCT chapter as they were all physically present to grace the occasion.

While commissioning the project, the National Youth Service Corps NYSC, Director General, Brig. Gen Shuaibu Ibrahim applauded the young man for the laudable initiative, he then called on all the corps members to borrow a leaf from the character of Dr. Chidera by making themselves relevant in their community development toward the growth and development of their father’s land.

NYSC Boss said that the construction of the toilet was timely as it would help to prevent so many airborne diseases, more so as Coronavirus ravaged the world.

He said; “During the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, we have to suspend our mobilization but corps members were mobilized nationwide to contribute to the fight and when the history of those corps members who fought and still fighting Pandemic Dr. Chidera will be mention because he contributes immensely; he produces face mask anytime you need corps members in FCT is always there.

“So, when I was invited to commissioning of this project, I have to spare time to come because it’s not just the magnitude of this structure but the spirit behind it.

“I want to call on all the corps members to borrow a leaf from the character of Dr. Chidera to add value to those communities. NYSC always provides a platform to corps members and for those of them that are very serious and make maximum use of the opportunities the sky is always their limit. I once again congratulate Dr. Chidera and I wish you the best in life.”

He thanked the community forgiven the corps members an enabling environment for them to provide the project.

In her welcome address, NYSC FCT Coordinator Hajia Wlida Siddique Isa commended the donor adding that the project will further reduce open defecation in the community.

According to her, this brief even is in furtherance of our commitment to providing solution to societal issues and contributing our quota to community and national development

“We sincerely hope that this facility will go a long way in reducing the impact of open defecation within the Dakwa community and her offspring. I, therefore, enjoin the leaders and of course the youths of this community to ensure that this facility is properly and fully secured.”

Speaking at the venue, Dr. Chidera, a 2020 Batch A corps member, who provided the facility said that there was the need for other well-meaning Nigerians to come to the aid of the community in providing other facilities that would give the community a facelift.

A kindhearted Youth Corps Member, Dr. Vincent Emmanuel Chidera Giving Brief of the Project.

According to him, I decided to solve the problems by building the toilet.

“My posting to serve in this community came with a great delight, and I had set my heart to touch as many lives as I could; the pandemic and stringent economic difficulties, notwithstanding. Few weeks into my posting, I had noticed a trend, which to me, was of epidemiological significance; A good number of all the under-5 children which I managed, presented with a similar set of GI symptoms and were weighing below the expected weight for their age and sex.

“This observation prompted the epidemiological survey that landed me in this compound the very first time I came here. I had seen over five other similar settlements around the community, where Almajiri children are housed but without a convenience.

“I was particularly drawn to this very one because of the population density; having 65 children between the ages of 5- 18, clustered in a 3- room 12x 12 apartments, without a convenience, was nothing less than suicide, so I thought.

“So, I decided that something urgent must be done before the next rainy season. Though the prevailing economic situation made things extremely difficult, but I’m glad, with the support of the children, we were able to put together, something a little more convenient than our gutters.

“Finally, 5 months ago, we had admitted and managed a 16year old Sickle Cell Disease patient, who was weighing less than 10kg and was in severe pains, pains which she had innocently suffered for over a decade because her parents were either unaware or choose to throw the knowledge to the abyss. After an interaction with over 50 patients, I realized, a good number of them knew what genotype was, but has never had one done.

“In partnership with my Place of Primary Assignment, we decided to run a free genotyping and blood grouping program for 1000 persons in the community over a period of two months. That project was completed successfully, but the result was mind-boggling. Almost 30% of the Sample population had the Sickle Cell Trait. By implication, 1 out of every 4 women in Dakwa, had the Sickle Cell trait and must not marry a man with the trait. These are pressing societal issues that must be given attention.”

While giving the vote of thanks, the Village Head of Dakwa community Alhaji Yahaya Ajiya, called on stakeholders to come into the community to upgrade the educational standard that will help the community at large.

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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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