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NYSC DG Bags Daily Sun’s Public Service Award
Joel Ajayi
The Director-General of National Youth Service Corps will be conferred with Daily Sun’s Public Service Award.
In a press statement issued by the Director, Press and Public Relations Adenike Adeyemi (Mrs) on Tuesday in Abuja, the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Sun Newspaper, Mr Onuoha Ikeh disclosed this when he led some Members of the management team of the media outfit on a courtesy visit to present a formal letter to Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim at the NYSC National Directorate Headquarters in Abuja.
The MD who said the award was instituted in 2003 to honour Nigerians who have done well in different fileds of human endeavour added that many Distinguished Nigerians had been confered with the award in different categories over the years.
He said Brigadier General lbrahim was selected for the award by the Board of Editors of the media outfit based on his pedgree and laudable innovations since his assumption of office as the eighteenth Director-General of the National Youth Service Corps in May, 2019.
“Your selection for the award was based on merit because of your outstanding achievements in piloting the affairs of the NYSC as the eighteenth NYSC Director-General; you have made giant strides through your five point policy thrust.
We note that you have taken steps towards re-invigorating the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development, you have also renewed the commitment of Bank of Industry towards the resucitation of empowerment of Corps Members.
You have initiated and sustained new collaboration with NIRSAL Microfinance Bank on empowerment of Corps Entrepreneurs, as well as opening of a new partnership with Unity Bank plc.
You have collaborated with British American Tobacco Foundation on the empowerment of Corps Members with agricultural skills and business trainings, farm internship, mentoring and farm input supply.
You have made a tremendous impact in the public service and by so doing contributing to good governance”, he said.
Onuoha also commended the Director-General for resuscitating the NYSC Water Factory and Bakery in Abuja and the on-going construction of the NYSC North-Cenral Skill Acquisition Centre in Keffi.
He listed the acquisition of modern farm implements for the NYSC Farms located at Kwali Abuja, Dungulbi Bauchi State, Samikaka in Kebbi State, and Iseyin in Oyo State, among other notable achievements as part of the criteria for the award.
He added that the prestigious Sun Award ceremony is slated for October this year and will be held in Lagos.
NYSC Director-General in his response thanked the Sun Newspaper for giving balanced reportage to NYSC activities and also sensitising the public on the Scheme’s programmes.
He said the award would spur him to add more impetus in his service to humanity.
He disclosed that up till date, there is no COVID-19 positive case in any of the NYSC Orientation Camps across the country.
Ibrahim said the NYSC/NCDC partnership has helped the NCDC and Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19 with the analysis of NYSC operations especially on COVID-19.
He said NYSC was established for the promotion of national unity and integration, but the Scheme has added entrepreneurship training to its Orientation Course programme in order to enhance youth empowerment.
General lbrahim said the dearth of white collar jobs has made many graduates unemployed and in a bid to reduce graduate unemployment, “we decided to introduce Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development as an alternative to empower Corps Members with skills.
Ibrahim also reiterated his appeal for the establishment of NYSC Trust Fund that would make start-up capital available to interested Corps Members as they exit service in order to kick-start their businesses.
“We earnestly solicit the support of the Sun Newspaper to sensitize Nigerians in this regard”, General lbrahim said.
Featured
Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles
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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