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NYSC Assures Continuous Compliance With Freedom Of Information Act

Published

4 years ago

July 13, 2021

… Commit To Successful Implementation Of FOIA –

Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps has said it will not relent in complying with the provisions of the freedom of Information Act,as well as put measures in place to entrench transparency and accountability in the day-to-day running of the Scheme.

The Scheme equally said that its leaving no stone unturned to ensure successful implementation of freedom of Information Act in the country.

The Director General of National Youth Service Corps NYSC Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim gave this assurance on Tuesday, in Abuja at the opening ceremony of 2020 edition of NYSC’s FOIA Desk Officers training workshop, saying that, the Scheme, among all MDAs, has the highest number of FOIA Schedule Officers.

The workshop that is designed for the Desk Officers to update their knowledge and their skills to enable them work effectively and efficiently in discharge of their duty with the theme; “Boosting Government’s Fight against Corruption through the Freedom of Information Act”.

According to him, NYSC has remained committed to the successful implementation of the FOI Act since it came into effect in 2011 in compliance with the Federal Government’s directive on the domestication of the Act by all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

“Another mark of our commitment is the fact that, among all MDAs, NYSC has the highest number of FOIA Schedule Officers as could be seen in the roll call of participants in this workshop.

“This, coupled with our effective feedback mechanism, ensures prompt response to FOI requests and timely rendition of annual reports to the Federal Ministry of Justice over the years.

“Therefore, I implore you to build on the successes recorded through greater dedication to your duties as Desk Officers and to assist Management in sensitizing other members of Staff to continue to adhere to the work ethics of probity and accountability.”

DG therefore lauded the commitment and resourcefulness of the Desk Officers as well as the entire workforce of the Scheme, which contributed immensely to the modest heights NYSC have attained so far urged them to intensify efforts in the discharge of their duties in order to achieve the Scheme’s target of becoming the leading agency in FOIA compliance.”

Associate Professor Brigadier General Ibrahim however, charged FOIA Desk officer to ensure knowledge that will be imparted in them be used for effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.

However, the NYSC Boss, also reiterated that NYSC Management would resist any attempt to threaten the integrity of the Scheme’s operations and processes, including the mobilization, deployment, relocation and posting of Corps Members, adding that the Scheme remains committed to protecting the lives Corps Members.

In her welcome addressed the PPR of the Mr Adenike Adeyemi said that the FOIA desk officers workshop is designed to for Scheme’s Desk Officers to update their knowledge and skill to enable them work effectively and efficiently in discharge their duty.

“NYSC FOIA Desk Officers’ Workshop has become a yearly event in line with the Freedom of Information Act 2011, which prescribed continuous training and retraining of Desk Officers for optimal performance.

She said the Scheme has established FOIA Community Development Service groups in all its formations nationwide who engage in sensitizing members of the public on their rights under the Act.

“Recently, the FOIA CDS group in Ebonyi State was at the PRESCO High School, Abakaliki, where they sensitized the students on the FOI Act and the need to seek information from credible sources”.

“The Gombe State FOIA CDS group did same at the Government Day Secondary Secondary School, Army Barracks in Gombe and was also at the National Orientation Agency Gombe, to seek collaboration to facilitate a wider reach for their awareness campaign”, Adeyemi said.

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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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