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Gov’s Aide Admonishes Christian Youths Towards Perseverance

Published

5 years ago

March 2, 2021

Edidiong Norman

The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Entrepreneurial Development, Mrs. MefLyn Anwana, has urged youths in Akwa Ibom State and across the globe to be persistent, committed and dedicated in developing their inherent entrepreneurial acumen.

Mrs. Anwana gave the charge on Sunday in Uyo at Holy Ghost Ambassadors Church during its 2021 youth conference with the Theme: Triumph in Christ.

The conference featured some top government personalities within and outside the shores of Akwa Ibom State including: Rt. Hon. Onofiok Luke, Member representing Etinan Federal Constituency and Chairman House Committee on Judiciary in the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aniekan Uko, member representing Ibesikpo Asutan in the AKHA, and Akparawa Michael Bush, Special Assistant to Governor on Electronic Media among others.

Mrs. Anwana lauded the significant strides made by His Excellency, as embedded in the Dakkada Philosophy he introduced to the Akwa Ibom people in 2015, in line with the present administration’s master plan to drive human capacity development across a broad spectrum of industries.

Clearly, the economic infrastructure that will scale AkwaIbom is seeing the light of day. The youths to drive the active business ecosystem and economy of AkwaIbom State are ready to rise to the faith of their greatness, knowing that with God all things are Possible.

The Governor’s aide who spoke on the topic: “The Brazen Look of Perseverance” opined that Perseverance is the ability to keep going in the face of seeming challenges. It is the ability to disregard distractions and stay focused. For every success there are tons of failures. For those who actually research leaders, the inventors and the financially successful, there is an attribute common to all: the attribute of Perseverance. We can achieve anything we put our minds to!

She added that youths should be resolute, committed and dedicated towards the effective and efficient discharge of their entrepreneurial goals which, according to her, will give them a better platform to compete with their contemporaries in the society amongst other benefits.

Mrs. Anwana who also drew her homily from Romans 5:5 “And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us”., enjoined that hope does not disappoint as the love of God is sufficient for all.

“In your entrepreneurial Journey, once God has laid a seed in your heart, just bring Forth, bear fruit, be fruitful, Multiply, fill the earth and subdue it; that is proliferate and Dominate. Then while you unlearn negative habits, seek knowledge and learn positive habits while keep the right attitude; do it with all your heart, might and strength, persevere until Hope comes alive because God’s word doesn’t disappoint. As long as the earth remains seed time and harvest shall never cease’ she stated.

Speaking further, Mrs. MefLyn Anwana disclosed that: ‘Perseverance isn’t something that you can go out and buy, it is not something that you receive vicariously or by chance and it is not something that is beyond what you already have. Take, for example, the perseverance you demonstrated when you first attempted to learn how-to walk. I can say with absolute confidence that it was very unlikely that you walked upright without falling down the very first time you tried.

“As long as you persevere and realize that the detour is simply another alternative path in the direction of your goal, you will continue to move forward. Those who see a detour as a reason to quit, lack perseverance. You will always face challenges as you work towards your goals.

“To think that you will not encounter any obstacles along the way is to think that a long lost rich relative will leave you a fortune. It takes effort and belief to persevere and stay dedicated to accomplish your goals”. She admonished.

She however maintained that in the course of their entrepreneurial journey in life, many challenges, obstacles and setbacks will be encountered while aiming towards greatness and that they should not allow those challenges mar their business ideas but should be encouraged that consistency, persistency and perseverance are prime badges to wear towards the realization of goals

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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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