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Kebbi State Beach Soccer Rolls Out Donations

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In their bid to support the fight against Covid-19, the Kebbi Beach Soccer Association through its Foundation has set up a series of initiatives to support different stakeholders from the Kebbi State Government, Medicaid Cancer Foundation, Kebbi State Football Association and also local communities in the State.

The delegation’s first point of call was a visit to their medical partner (Medicaid Cancer Foundation) by a few of its members under the stewardship of their General Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Yahaya. They were warmly received by the Founder/CEO of the Foundation, Her Excellency Dr. Zainab Shinkafi Bagudu in the Government House, Birnin Kebbi to donate health essentials including hand Sanitizers and soaps.

In accepting the donations, the First Lady of Kebbi State commended the efforts of Nigerians led by the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rtd General Muhammadu Buhari GCFR; the State Governors including Kebbi State Governor, His Excellency, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) for their able response to this pandemic which has affected every facet of our lives. She also acknowledged the unfortunate suspension of the Kebbi Beach Soccer Sallah Tournament this year, but pledged to continue supporting Kebbi Beach Soccer, especially in their efforts to reach out to host communities with palliatives during these trying times.

She further advised that members of Kebbi Beach Soccer continue being model citizens and ambassadors of Kebbi State both locally and Internationally. She said with all sense of purpose that “Kebbi State’s history will not be complete without acknowledging the achievements of Kebbi Beach Soccer”. Dr Zainab also presented them a gift of a historic book showcasing the Kebbi Culture which featured Kebbi Beach Soccer’s journey from humble beginnings to becoming an International Beach Soccer team.

The team delegation also in partnership with the Kebbi State Ministry of Youth and Sports donated health items to the State’s Covid-19 Task Force Committee which was graciously received by the Chairman of the Task Force, Alhaji Ja’afaru Muhammad Zuru (Honourable Commissioner of Health).

He expressed his appreciation of the initiative to support the State Government’s efforts in curtailing the Covid-19 pandemic. He also lauded the achievements of Kebbi Beach Soccer in the State and Nigeria as a whole.

The team’s final call was to the Kebbi State Football Association (KBFA) office in Birnin Kebbi to make further donations.

On hand to receive the items was non other than the Chairman Kebbi State FA, Honourable Abubakar Chika Ladan who doubles as the State’s Commissioner of Works and Transport expressed special gratitude for the concern showed and encouraged the Kebbi Beach Soccer Association to continue working together with the State FA while praying for everyone to get through the pandemic unharmed.

In his remark also the Chairman Kebbi Beach Soccer, Mr Mahmud Hadejia who was unavoidably absent commended the delegation for their efforts and promised that the Foundation will continue to give their support to help curtail the pandemic.

The Chairman also appreciated the praises from all their esteemed stakeholders and look forward to the future partnerships and support for a better society.

He welcomed with open arms the request by the Medicaid Cancer Foundation to partner with Kebbi Beach Soccer Foundation to support the host communities with paliatives and sensitization activities.

The Chairman said the Association and the Beach Soccer Club would not have been what it is today without support from all stakeholders and he is glad the donations are being appreciated. Mr Hadejia further said “that during these hard times, we had to look inward and appreciate our players and officials also by aiding them with palliatives to help them stay safe”.

He finally prayed to almighty God to bring an end to this pandemic and hoped lives are returned back to normal.

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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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