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CSO Issues Ultimatum to NPA, Agura Hotel Abuja to Compensate H & H For Properties Destroyed by Fire

Published

7 years ago

April 10, 2019

CSO Issues Ultimatum to NPA, Agura Hotel Abuja to Compensate H & H For Properties Destroyed by Fire

The Empowerment for Unemployed Youths Initiative (EUYI) in collaboration with other sister civil society organizations in a press statement made available to the media by the spokesman Comrade Solomon Adodo on Tuesday 9th of April, 2019, called on the Nigerian Ports Authority and management of Agura Hotel, Abuja, issued seven days ultimatum to compensate the management of H & H Integrated Services Limited after its building within the hotel was engulfed by flames in February 2019.

The Initiative, through this medium, calls on the hotel’s management to recall that it entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with H & H Integrated Services Limited, – a company wholly owned by Comr. Humphrey Onyima, the publisher/CEO of Leadership Scorecard magazine, a member of the EUYI.

Without question, it is on record that Comr. Onyima had, through so much toil and strain, established a business, selling snacks and other FMCG while utilizing the same property as his personal office. Records further attest that aside the space provided; Onyima had to construct the said structure which housed his investments and this with the approval of Agura Hotel, at personal cost to himself. We were thus elated when his business took off in January 2018.

While we still rejoiced with him, we received with shock the mind-numbing news that his business structure, investments and properties within Agura hotel premises were gutted by fire, with nothing salvaged. We are further pained that the response of the security and emergency teams was slow and, at best; hence, the fire could not be stopped; an action that put not just the hotel but the lives of its guests in danger.

We are further made aware that, in accordance with the terms specified in the MoU signed by both parties, aside the rent rate of Six Hundred Thousand Naira (600,000.00) per annum, H & H was obliged to a monthly service charge of ten thousand naira (N10,000) which, ordinarily, should cater for such ancillary needs as security and emergency response. Howbeit, we are left perplexed as to why Agura Hotel’s team was unable to rally to save H & H property while it burned.

Information available to us shows that H & H had suspended its operations for sometime, owing to the fact that electricity supply to its business premises was disconnected by Agura Hotel. As at the time of the fire, no staff of H & H was around and the hotel management failed to even notify H & H prior to the reconnection of the structure to power supply which ostensibly led to the fire incidence.

On the heels of this and in consideration of the fact that no measures of respite were put in place for H & H, we herein call on the management of Agura Hotel to expedite measures for the compensation of H & H over the loss incurred as a result of negligence displayed by the management of Agura Hotels.

In addition, we have gathered that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has taking over the management of Agura Hotel prior to the time of entering contract with H & H, thus, making the D.G NPA the Chairman of the said Agura Hotel; we hereby humbly appeal that this measure of resolution be emplaced within seven (7) days of this notice.

Failure to do this would communicate to us that the management of Agura Hotel have only chosen to victimize a hitherto unemployed youth who sought a legitimate means to earn a living and, as such, we shall be left with no other option but to resume protests within Agura Hotel premises in Abuja

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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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