News
‘It Gives Me Joy to See Someone Cry and Wipe Away the Tears’ — SOHO24 Foundation CEO
By Joel Ajayi
Nigerian Olympian and Chief Executive Officer of SOHO24 Foundation, Ambassador Christy Opara MON, has called on parents, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support initiatives aimed at empowering vulnerable children and helping them realise their potential.
Opara said she derives great fulfilment from helping children overcome difficult circumstances and pursue their dreams, stressing that no child should be denied an opportunity to succeed because of poverty, background, tribe or religion.
She stated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference ahead of the foundation’s 2026 commemoration of the International Day of the Girl Child, organised with the support of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), National Council for Women Societies (NCWS), Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), among other partners.
The programme, themed “Empowerment of the Girl-Child Through Sports Development, Education and Performance,” is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2026, at the SOHO24 Foundation Sports Park in Abuja, ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11.
Opara said the initiative was necessary at a time when families and children are facing numerous social and economic challenges, urging parents not to remain silent when their children need help.
“The whole world is in turmoil, facing what I would call a drought, and Nigeria is not out of the equation. My advice to parents is to reach out, especially through programmes like this. I am not the only one providing such programmes. They should not remain quiet,” she said.
The Olympian explained that the foundation’s work extends beyond the girl-child, revealing that SOHO24 currently houses more than 40 boys daily, providing them with food, training and coaching.
According to her, the beneficiaries come from different parts of Nigeria, irrespective of tribe or religious background.
She said her commitment to supporting children was based on their potential and determination to achieve their dreams rather than their ethnic or religious identity.
“I have sent a lot of them abroad who are not of my religion and who are not even from my tribe. I believe in a child who has a vision,” she said.
Opara, who spoke about her own journey from humble beginnings to becoming an Olympian, said her experiences had strengthened her determination to identify and support children with talent and ambition.
“I came from nothing to glory, and therefore, when I see potential and I can reach out to that child, and that child is committed to the dream they have, I sincerely will do my best,” she said.
She, however, stressed that individuals and organisations working to improve the lives of children cannot do it alone, calling for greater support from government, corporate organisations and other Nigerians.
Opara particularly urged stakeholders to support initiatives that protect girls from child marriage and other practices that could truncate their education and future opportunities.
She said the foundation would work with teachers to identify children with exceptional potential following its programmes and explore ways of supporting their education.
According to her, the foundation hopes to assist deserving beneficiaries to complete their secondary education before helping to create pathways for further education and skills development.
“We reach out to their teachers and identify a child who has potential and dreams of greatness tomorrow. By the grace of God, we will help them finish secondary school before nurturing them towards university,” she said.
Opara therefore appealed to Nigerians to recognise and support organisations and individuals genuinely contributing to the development of children and society.
She said the foundation’s interventions were driven by a desire to give vulnerable children hope, opportunity and the confidence to build better futures.
For Opara, the greatest reward is seeing children who once faced difficult circumstances regain hope and move towards achieving their dreams.
News
DNKI President Champions Humanitarian Service, Sustainable Community Development
Cyril Samania
The President of De Norsemen Kclub International (DNKI), Chief Oliver Patrick Ityohegh, has reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to humanitarian service, stressing the importance of supporting vulnerable people and improving community welfare beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day.
Ityohegh stated this during the organisation’s Cauldron Night and Award Presentation held to commemorate its 2026 Humanitarian Day celebration, theme: “Humanity First: Advancing Hope, Dignity and Community Well-being.” organised by the DNKI Abuja Chapter.
He emphasised that humanitarian service should be a continuous responsibility driven by compassion, solidarity and a commitment to making a meaningful difference in society.
According to him, DNKI’s humanitarian activities reflect its dedication to giving back to society and supporting people in need, while encouraging members to sustain initiatives that promote human dignity and community well-being.
He added that the organisation would continue to strengthen its humanitarian engagements through practical interventions aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable people and promoting community development.
Speaking at the event, the representative of the Abuja Chapter Chairman and Chairman of its Advisory Council, Prince Efiong Okpe, said the organisation’s humanitarian activities extended beyond the annual celebration of Humanitarian Day on October 15.
Okpe explained that DNKI undertook several initiatives throughout the year, including blood donation exercises, visits to hospitals and correctional centres, as well as support for orphanages and other vulnerable groups.
According to him, the organisation also collaborated with humanitarian bodies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to identify areas of need and provide assistance within its available resources.
He described Humanitarian Day as an opportunity for members to renew their commitment to service and demonstrate solidarity with people facing difficult circumstances.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and Coordinator of the DNKI Gwagwalada Zone, Mr Etudaiye Hamzat, disclosed that the chapter had provided financial assistance to some members to help pay their children’s school fees, alongside distributing bags of rice and other relief items to members experiencing hardship.
Hamzat explained that the interventions followed concerns over the difficulties some members faced in meeting their family responsibilities, particularly the rising cost of their children’s education.
He maintained that supporting members in need was consistent with the organisation’s humanitarian principles, adding that DNKI remained committed to extending assistance to non-members and vulnerable communities as part of its commitment to leading by example.
Looking ahead, Hamzat said the Abuja Chapter planned to expand its humanitarian outreach to remote communities within the FCT, with particular attention to orphanages, schools and widows facing difficulties in meeting their family responsibilities.
He also recalled previous interventions for internally displaced persons (IDPs), which included the distribution of food, clothing and educational materials, noting that the chapter intended to scale up such initiatives in the coming year.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to outstanding members and distinguished non-members in recognition of their contributions to humanitarian service.
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