The Strong Tower Foundation has empowered 30 vulnerable children as part of efforts to restore their dignity, improve their well-being and create pathways to a better future.
The foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to transforming the lives of children and young adults facing poverty, neglect, trauma and limited opportunities, said every young person deserves a chance not only to survive but also to succeed.
As part of the initiative, the 30 beneficiaries received back-to-school materials, including school bags and educational materials, to support their education and ease the burden on their families.
Speaking at the inauguration and empowerment programme at ANCE Building on Thursday in Ibadan, the founder of the foundation, Mrs. Nike John, said the organisation was established to uplift vulnerable, helpless and underprivileged children and young adults by providing access to essential resources, education, mentorship and emotional support.
She said the foundation was inspired by the values and humanitarian spirit of her late father, who, according to her, consistently provided shelter, clothing and other forms of support to people in need.
The founder explained that her father’s commitment to helping the less privileged had deeply influenced her life and motivated her to establish the organisation as a way of continuing his legacy.
She said, “My dad was a great man. He was always identifying the less privileged, providing shelter and clothing for them. His commitment to helping people in need inspired me greatly, and establishing this organisation is my way of continuing his vision.”
According to her, the foundation’s vision is to ensure that every child and young person, regardless of their background or circumstances, has access to the opportunities and support needed to live a meaningful and productive life.
She called on individuals, organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the foundation’s mission of reaching more vulnerable children across the country.
The founder stressed that the empowerment of the 30 beneficiaries was only part of a broader commitment to building a society where vulnerable children are protected, supported and given opportunities to realise their potential.
The keynote speaker at the Strong Tower Foundation empowerment programme, Ms Omosewa Ogundare, has called for greater attention to trauma, emotional wellbeing and the power of positive words in rebuilding the lives of vulnerable children and young adults.
Ogundare, who spoke on the theme, “Rebuilding Lives,” said rebuilding a person’s life goes beyond providing immediate financial assistance, stressing that many people live with trauma without understanding its impact on their lives.
She said some children and adults grow up in difficult environments and may not recognise that experiences from their past have affected their confidence, aspirations and perception of life.
“Some people don’t know that they have trauma. Some people live every day for survival. They just want to survive the moment. So, when you ask them, ‘What do you want to be in the future?’ that is not their problem right now. Their problem is survival,” she said.
The inauguration also saw Board of Directors which includes; Dr Olusegun John (Chairman), Mrs Nike John (President), Mr Gbenga Oluniyi (Vice President), Ms. Hadassah Wealthy (Secretary) and Olayemi Oluniyi (Treasurer).
Also speaking at the event, the Special Guest of Honour and Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Oyo State, Honourable Olatun Yusuf, pledged her support for the Foundation, saying its mission resonates strongly with her personal passion for supporting vulnerable people in society.
Yusuf said her commitment to humanitarian activities predates her appointment, stressing that her involvement was not politically motivated.
She, therefore, pledged to support the foundation within the capacity of her office and personal resources, assuring the organisers that she identified with its vision of reaching vulnerable people and communities in need.
“I am supporting this foundation and I am going to continue to support it because its vision resonates with me. In my own way, I will definitely support the foundation,” Yusuf added.