July 2, 2025
A Civil Society Leader, Philanthropist and the Executive Director, Connected Development Code, Ambassador Hamsat Lawal has called for the sustenance of peace by Kogi residents to enhance the State’s Socio-economic development.
Lawal made the call on Wednesday at the Ohi of Okene’s Palace in Okene Local Government Area, during his empowerment outreach and sensitisation programme for the people to embrace peace.
The Civil Society Leader pointed out that no development can take place in the face of crises, hence, efforts should be intensified towards ensuring a synergy among the citizenry to embrace dialogue in fostering development in the state.
The philanthropist, however, enjoined parents to always give proper education and parental care to their children so as to curb their excesses and other social vices at childhood and teenage period.
He pointed out that the empowerment programme of his Initiative code is aimed at improving the living standard of the less privileged women in the society and sensitisation on how to be financially responsible without much dependant on their husbands.
In his remarks, the Ohi of Okene, Mr. Isah Mamman appreciated the Peace Ambassador, Lawal for initiating the empowerment programme aimed at improving the quality of lives at the rural areas.
The Traditional ruler also commended him for paying back to the society, however, Mamman enjoined other wealthy individuals in the state to emulate his good gesture.
In his goodwill message, the
Chairman Kogi forum of Senior Special Assistant, Dr Joseph Omeiza
commended Lawal, a proud son of Ebira land and who has distinguished himself globally through his work with an internationally recognized Non Governmental Organization NGO for bringing this vision home.
Omeiza noted the vision of the NGO
presents us with a vital opportunity to engage, reflect, and mobilize ourselves toward building a future where every young person is equipped, included, and inspired.
In another development after the visit to the traditional ruler, no fewer than 500 sanitary Pads were distributed to students of Kogi College of Nursing and Midwifery Obangede as part of Lawal’s sensitisation programme and assisting the less privileged.
Presenting the materials to the provost of the institution, Lawal said the gesture is to give a helping hand to those who cannot afford this pads for the monthly menstrual period.
He pointed out that as a father of three daughters, “I must not shy away from the obvious. There are problems in the society that are not visible. We are trying our best to reduce some of these burdens on our parents by providing these pads for students”.
By these support and access to sanitary pads, ” we take a bold step towards
Reducing school absenteeism among girls, Improving health and hygiene outcomes , Boosting confidence and self-esteem and reinforcing the right of every girl to learn, thrive, and lead.”
“Menstrual health should never be a barrier to opportunity or dignity. Together, by breaking the silence and removing the stigma, we are helping to create a more inclusive and supportive society for women and girls in our communities.”
He enjoined parents to always give priority attention to Girl- child education because according to him, if you train a girl, you’ve trained a nation.
After conducting the Philanthropist round the compound, the Provost of the college, Dr. James Duro thanked Ambassador Lawal for the extension of the gesture to the college assuring him of the judicious use of the gifts.
He also appealed to the Executive Officer of the NGO to assist the college in other infrastructural development that could improve the learning atmosphere.
In the same vein, Lawal’s connected initiative code also donated 100 charcoal cooking stoves to women at Ogori mangogo Local Government and Upogoro Women in Okene LGA respectively.
Lawal pointed out that the gesture is not only to reduce hazard in firewood fetching by women but to be proactive towards desert encroachment.
“The use of the these stove which emits little or no smoke will help reduce loss of lives and every other related respiratory diseases which are very rampant this days as a result of poor cooking procedure of inhaling too much smoke.
“We are doing this to empower Women and also to reduce the dirt’s from cooking, we are keying into the “Clean Cooking Initiative” by the Federal Government, this is an action geared towards climate change. Hoping it will help reform our national action plan on climate change.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Fatima Momoh commended the NGO for the kind gesture towards alleviating the suffering of the women in the area.
The commissioner who was represented by Mrs. Habitat Ajiga appealed to other wealthy individuals to emulate the gesture of the initiative by paying back to the society.
The end
