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FG Deploys Nigerian Nurses to Jamaica to Strengthen Healthcare and Education Ties

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The Federal Government (FG) on Wednesday deployed four Technical Aid Volunteers (TAC) Specialist Nurses to Jamaica as a soft power diplomacy to bridge both the educational and professional gaps.


The orientation and deployment exercise was organised for the volunteers by the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps (NTAC) in Abuja.
Dr Yusuf Yakub, the Director-General (DG) of NTAC, said that it was a proud moment in the history of Nigeria’s traditional cooperation in the people-people diplomacy.


Yakub, represented by Ambassador Saidu Mohammed, the Deputy Director of Admin, said that since the establishment in 1987, NTAC had stood as a shining example of what purposeful South-South cooperation could achieve.


“This moment is not only the culmination of months of planning, coordination, and dedication, it is a process which began last year.


“It is a testament to Nigeria’s unwavering commitment to sharing knowledge, skills and expertise with our brothers and sisters across the world.


“Through this unique programme, Nigeria has continued to deploy her best and brightest professionals to countries that require technical support, thereby strengthening institutions, building local capacity, and fostering enduring bonds of friendships.


“Today’s deployment is particularly significant because it involves our healthcare professionals of specialist nurses and nurse educators who represent the backbone of any resilient healthcare system,” he said.


According to him, the mission to Jamaica will support the delivery of essential health services and also mentor local healthcare personnel, thereby building capacity that will benefit communities for years to come.


He urged the volunteers to carry themselves as worthy ambassadors of Nigeria, as they were not only selected as professionals but for their dedication, compassion and readiness to serve humanity beyond borders.


Ambassador Zakari Usman, the Director of Pragrammes for NTAC, urged the volunteers to embrace the experience fully and to serve with dedication, humility, and integrity.


Usman, represented by Fehintola Adebowale, the Assistant Director, Programmes, urged the TAC volunteers to be respectful of local customs and cultures.


He urged the volunteers to be mindful of their actions and contributions which would not only reflect on them but on Nigeria as a whole.


Dr Chukwu Ndu, a Psychiatric Nursing Consultant and the Team Lead of the TAC volunteers,said that his team would serve as worthy ambassadors in their host community.


Ms Alu David, a Public Health Nurse, Midwife and a Nurse Educator, said that it was a dream come true as the process has been long and tedious.
“This is really a rare opportunity for me, that I wii not take for granted and I hope to make Nigeria proud and above all make my dear profession proud in the host community.”


Dr Umar Jubril, a Nursing Educator, said that the team would not let the agency down.
Jubril lauded Federal Government for sustaining the programme for over 38 years.


NAN

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

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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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