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Ebonyi State Gov. Commends NYSC On COVID-19 Prevention

Published

5 years ago

November 17, 2020

Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State has commended the National Youth Service Corps NYSC for taking the proactive step of closing its Orientation Camps at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

He said many lives would have been endangered if such a decision was not taken.

The Governor made the remarks on Tuesday at the Government House in Abakaliki when the NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Ibrahim Shuaibu Ibrahim, paid him a courtesy visit.

Mr Umahi, who was represented by his Deputy, lgwe Kelechi Eric, said the renovation of the NYSC Orientation Camp in Afikpo was borne out of the State Government’s commitment to providing a conducive environment for Corps members deployed to the State.

He praised the Director-General for the feats being achieved by the Scheme since his assumption of duty.

“Under your watch as the DG, threats against the Scheme are giving way and it is still achieving the purpose of its existence”, he said.

Governor Umahi while advocating the continued protection of Corps members promised the readiness of the State Government to provide all the necessary support for the NYSC.

He assured that the Director-General’s request for the return of the NYSC farmland at Ezillo to the Scheme would be looked into.

Speaking earlier, NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim thanked the State Government for the demonstration of support for the Scheme.

He noted that gestures such as an increase in the monthly stipend of Corps Members from five to ten thousand naira provision of a Permanent Orientation Camp; provision of utility vehicles; cash donation to State Award Winners and the provision of a befitting office accommodation among others, were enhancing the success of the Scheme.

While urging for more support from the administration, Ibrahim assured that Corps Members would continue to do their best in the service of the state and the entire nation.

“NYSC will continue to support the Government in its efforts to improve the living standard of residents of the state,” Ibrahim said.

The Director-General appealed to the Governor to approve the release of the farmland allocated to NYSC at Ezillo by the Government of the old Anambra State but retaken for temporary usage by the present administration in Ebonyi State.

He explained that the Scheme wanted to return to its Ezillo land for the resumption of rice farming, pointing out that it had reinvigorated the operations of its other farms across the country to complement the Federal Government’s efforts to steer Nigeria towards self-sufficiency in food production.

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

Published

4 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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