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Orientation Course: No Posting Of Corps Members To Security Challenged Areas-DG

Published

4 years ago

May 5, 2021

… Partners security agencies to ensure safety of corps members

Joel Ajayi

The National Youth Service Corps has said no Corps Member would be deployed to any area that is facing security threat during its forthcoming 2021 Batch ‘A’ Stream Two Orientation Course.

It said the Scheme is in constant interaction with the security agencies and would therefore, not undermine the safety of any Corps Member.

NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim stated this on Tuesday in his address at the opening ceremony of the 2021 Batch’A’ Pre-Orientation Workshop held in Karu, Nasarawa State.

“As the welfare and safety of Corps Members and Staff is part of the policy thrust of my administration, we shall continue to work closely with relevant shareholders to evolve strategies for the protection of all Corps Members and the enrire Camp community during the Orientation Course”, the DG said.

He stated that the workshop would enable top management, collaborating partners and other critical stakeholders review the previous Orientation Courses with a view to improving the Scheme’s performance in subsequent exercises.

Speaking further, Ibrahim said the Scheme has conducted Orientation Courses amidst the challenges of COVID-19 through strict adherence to all the safety protocols.

“We worked closely with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and State Ministries of Health in this regard”, he said.

He added that all the Orientation Camps have been put in condition that would allow seamless conduct of the exercise online with the approved COVID-19 prevention guidelines.

“However, we would use the opportunity of the workshop to, among other things, harness our experiences and explore the prospect of increasing camp capacity, without losing sight of the need to adhere strictly to COVID -19 safety protocols, as we learn to operate optimally under the “new normal”, Ibrahim said.

The Director-General thanked the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, and State Ministries of Health for their support and guidance which contributed immensely to the successful execution of the previous Orientation exercises.

He also extend profound gratitude to the Victim Support Fund under Lt Gen Theophilus Danjuma (Rtd) for its assistance to the Scheme, including the latest donation of sixty thousand COVID-19 test kits.

The NYSC boss equally appreciated the Nasarawa State Government for granting approval for the renovation of Magaji Dan Yamusa Orientation Camp in Keffi, augmentation of feeding of Corps Members and Camp Officials during Orientation Course.

Likewise, the Andoma of Doma Kingdom, Dr Ahmadu Aliyu Oga Onawo was appreciated for releasing 16-hectare farmland to the NYSC for cultivation, which will have positive effect on food security in the country.

While declaring the Pre-Orientation Workshop open, the Nasarawa State Government showered encomiums on the NYSC Scheme for its roles in stemming the spread of Coronavirus in the country through the provision and distribution of different types of COVID-19 protective materials to the populace, while equally commending it over its role of fostering national unity and integration.

The State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule who was represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Alhaji Othman Bala Adam commended the NYSC, led by Brigadier General Shuaibu Ibrahim for enhancing the visibility and relevance of the Scheme through transformational programmes and policies.

“I commend the effort of the NYSC Director-General, management team, stakeholders, NYSC officials and Corps Members towards enhancing the viability and relevance of the Scheme through evolving this transformational programmes and policies.”

“The inventions of COVID-19 protective materials such as facemasks, hand sanitisers, sample collection box, temperature detection device, including the medical team that has continuously been in the frontline during and after the lockdown in our medical facilities, will continue to be recorded as NYSC’s contribution to National development”, he said.

Governor Sule paid encomiums on Corps Members for their contributions to the health, education and rural infrastructural development of Nasarawa State.

He urged the workshop participants to use the opportunity as a strategy of keeping stakeholders abreast with new challenges and how to counter it.

The Governor reaffirmed the support of his administration to the Scheme especially in Nasarawa State, through the provision of conducive working environment; logistics, sustained welfare and security of Corps Members to enable them continue their statutory roles to the State.

The 2021 Batch ‘A’ Stream Two Pre- Orientation Workshop titled; Managing Corps Population in the Context of the New Normal”, had all the State Coordinators of the NYSC Scheme including FCT in attendance.

Others participants also include; Camp Directors, Camp Commandants-designate, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Police, Department of State Services, NDLEA, Federal Ministry of Health, Nigera Secirity and Civil Defence Corps, Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre, Red Cross among others.

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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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