The Lumine News

Tag: #CorAfrica

  • CORAfrica Pays School Charges For 40 Pupils In Northern Cross River

    CORAfrica Pays School Charges For 40 Pupils In Northern Cross River

    By Elijah Ugani 

    CORAfrica Nigeria as part of its mission to librate the most vulnerable children in the society has under its HELP-A-KID Programme, paid school charges for 40 pupils drawn from four local government areas in Cross River State.

    CORAfrica is a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization, founded by Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD. Over the years, CORAfrica has founded schools, supported students at various categories, provided livelihood intervention and support for women and Cameroonian Refugees in Cross River and Benue states, among other interventions.

    40 most vulnerable pupils in five primary schools in Ogoja, Yala, Bekwarra and Obudu Local Government Area, were reached.

    CORAfrica paid three terms school charges for all the 40 pupils

    See schools and pictures with the pupils attached.

    1. Sacred Heart Primary, School – Bekwarra LGA (10 pupils)

    2. Holy Child Convent Primary School, Ugaga Yala LGA (10 pupils)

    3. St John’s Primary School, Ukwortung – Obudu LGA (5 pupils)

    4. Government Nomadic Primary School, Ukwortung – Obudu LGA (5 pupils)

    5. Christ the king Primary School, Nwaranty – Ogoja LGA (10 pupils)

    CORAfrica is committed to providing and assisting the most vulnerable African children assess quality education.
    #Anticipatethesecondedition

    At CORAfrica, we are open to donations to sustain the gains of our interventions

    For donations and partnership, kindly contact:

    Founder/Chief Strategist, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, contact on request
    Programme Manager, Elijah Ugani – 08121032474

  • CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

    CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

    By Elijah Ugani

    A non-governmental and humanitarian organization, Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica), has today 1st December, 2022 donated a bus to St Peter’s Primary School Adagom for use by refugees and host community children.

    Speaking during the presentation, the Founder/Chief Strategist of CORAfrica, Rev Fr Dr Peter Obele Abue noted that “the rationale behind the purchase of this bus is the long distance trekked by our pupils and our desire to provide the needed support to aid effective and conducive learning environment for them.

    “As part of our educational model and to provide support in addition to compliment the efforts of UNHCR, in providing the required education, we had rented this structure and commenced the basic training of these children last year, and we currently have a population of 500 pupils, comprising of 464 refugees and 36 host community children”

    Speaking further, Fr Obele maintained that “In addition to payment of staff stipends, we also provide snacks periodically for our pupils as a way of encouraging and stabilizing the children to enable them pay attention to the lessons taught.

    “In response to the rapid and increasing growing population beyond our expectation, and the need to ensure standard in providing for the educational needs of the pupils, CORAfrica has acquired 50 plots of land in Adagom 3, less than 100 meters away from our temporary site. Work has begun with over 30 trips of sand, 15 trips of gravel and 600 bags of cement for the construction of an ultra-modern 8 classroom block in the new site. God willing, by January 2023 a more conducive learning environment will be available for the pupils.

    “As an organization that is poised to emancipate the plight of rural African Children, we are determined to support the laudable initiative by UNHCR. We are committed to promoting inclusion and equitable learning opportunities for all, to improve access to education for refugees children in line with the global compact for refugees on education, as we anticipate further collaborations with UNHCR”.

    Fr Obele used the opportunity to commend UNHCR Head of Ogoja UNHCR Sub Office, for honoring their invitation to witness the historic presentation of the school bus and requested for an audience with the Head of Ogoja Sub Office to enable him share their plans and programmes with him, to ensure that such programmes align with UNHCR mandate.

    Chief Stephen Mankong who spoke on behalf of Adagom community, stated that “For us in the community, we are glad to be part of this occasion. Historically, since the coming of refugees to Adagom, this is the first major private donation of a person for the use of both the PoCs and the host community people”

    Chief Mankong called on UNHCR to consider a partnership with CORAfrica as he said “It is my desire that UNHCR partner with CORAfrica in changing the educational misfortune of these refugees and host community people”

    On his part, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, represented by the Programme Manager, Mr Hillary Agida commended Fr Peter Obele Abue for his passion for the vulnerable. He recalled that Fr Obele had founded the orphanage in Mbube where a lot of orphans have graduated into very meaningful persons in the society.

    He called on UNHCR to find an appropriate place for CORAfrica so that they can do even better for the refugees intervention.

    Mr Andy Ubong of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, averred that “we are here to say thank you CORAfrica for the assistance given to the government of Nigeria to assist the refugees. We are ready to collaborate with you any time”

    Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Derko, stated that “UNHCR in Ogoja have heard a lot about CORAfrica. The Country Representative has a very soft spot for children. She was here last month for the commisioning of the health centres at Adagom 1and Ukende.

    Bekele averred that investment in children is investing in the future, and used the opportunity to appreciate the good work of CORAfrica.

    Speaking further, he noted that “UNHCR looks forward to strengthening partnership with CORAfrica. “The more we see development like this, the more enthused we are to strengthen partnership” he added.

    The event featured presentation of keys and particulars of the bus to the Head Teacher of the school, as well as a presentation by the pupils of the school and host community youths.

  • CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

    CORAfrica Donates School Bus To Refugees At St Peter’s Primary School Adagom, Ogoja

    By Elijah Ugani

    A non-governmental and humanitarian organization, Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica), has today 1st December, 2022 donated a bus to St Peter’s Primary School Adagom for use by refugees and host community children.

    Speaking during the presentation, the Founder/Chief Strategist of CORAfrica, Rev Fr Dr Peter Obele Abue noted that “the rationale behind the purchase of this bus is the long distance trekked by our pupils and our desire to provide the needed support to aid effective and conducive learning environment for them.

    “As part of our educational model and to provide support in addition to compliment the efforts of UNHCR, in providing the required education, we had rented this structure and commenced the basic training of these children last year, and we currently have a population of 500 pupils, comprising of 464 refugees and 36 host community children”

    Speaking further, Fr Obele maintained that “In addition to payment of staff stipends, we also provide snacks periodically for our pupils as a way of encouraging and stabilizing the children to enable them pay attention to the lessons taught.

    “In response to the rapid and increasing growing population beyond our expectation, and the need to ensure standard in providing for the educational needs of the pupils, CORAfrica has acquired 50 plots of land in Adagom 3, less than 100 meters away from our temporary site. Work has begun with over 30 trips of sand, 15 trips of gravel and 600 bags of cement for the construction of an ultra-modern 8 classroom block in the new site. God willing, by January 2023 a more conducive learning environment will be available for the pupils.

    “As an organization that is poised to emancipate the plight of rural African Children, we are determined to support the laudable initiative by UNHCR. We are committed to promoting inclusion and equitable learning opportunities for all, to improve access to education for refugees children in line with the global compact for refugees on education, as we anticipate further collaborations with UNHCR”.

    Fr Obele used the opportunity to commend UNHCR Head of Ogoja UNHCR Sub Office, for honoring their invitation to witness the historic presentation of the school bus and requested for an audience with the Head of Ogoja Sub Office to enable him share their plans and programmes with him, to ensure that such programmes align with UNHCR mandate.

    Chief Stephen Mankong who spoke on behalf of Adagom community, stated that “For us in the community, we are glad to be part of this occasion. Historically, since the coming of refugees to Adagom, this is the first major private donation of a person for the use of both the PoCs and the host community people”

    Chief Mankong called on UNHCR to consider a partnership with CORAfrica as he said “It is my desire that UNHCR partner with CORAfrica in changing the educational misfortune of these refugees and host community people”

    On his part, the Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, represented by the Programme Manager, Mr Hillary Agida commended Fr Peter Obele Abue for his passion for the vulnerable. He recalled that Fr Obele had founded the orphanage in Mbube where a lot of orphans have graduated into very meaningful persons in the society.

    He called on UNHCR to find an appropriate place for CORAfrica so that they can do even better for the refugees intervention.

    Mr Andy Ubong of National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons, averred that “we are here to say thank you CORAfrica for the assistance given to the government of Nigeria to assist the refugees. We are ready to collaborate with you any time”

    Responding, the UNHCR Head of Ogoja Sub Office, Mr Tesfaye Bekele, who was represented by Mr Jonathan Derko, stated that “UNHCR in Ogoja have heard a lot about CORAfrica. The Country Representative has a very soft spot for children. She was here last month for the commisioning of the health centres at Adagom 1and Ukende.

    Bekele averred that investment in children is investing in the future, and used the opportunity to appreciate the good work of CORAfrica.

    Speaking further, he noted that “UNHCR looks forward to strengthening partnership with CORAfrica. “The more we see development like this, the more enthused we are to strengthen partnership” he added.

    The event featured presentation of keys and particulars of the bus to the Head Teacher of the school, as well as a presentation by the pupils of the school and host community youths.

  • CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    CORAfrica Partners CWO To Commemorate International Women’s Day 2022

    By Elijah Ugani

    Children of Rural Africa, (CORAfrica) in partnership with the Catholic Women Organization (CWO of Ogoja Deanery) held a one day public lecture on the theme #BREAKING THE BIAS: Gender Equality Today for Sustainability Tomorrow; as part of its activities to mark the 2022 International Women’s Day.

    The event commenced with a road walk by the women which took off from Mount Carmel Secondary School, Igoli-Ogoja to the Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology (old TTC).

    At arrival, the event began with series of lectures on the need and importance for women to rise to the challenge of Gender equality so as to break the bias against women.

    Declaring the event open, the Vicar General Administration of Ogoja Diocese, Spiritual Adviser of the Ogoja diocesan CWO and Founder of Children of Rural Africa, Rev Fr Peter Obele Abue PhD, noted that there is an urgent need for women to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child.

    Fr Abue pledged CORAfrica’s commitment to collaborate with women organizations such as the CWO.

    In his words “There is an urgent need now more than ever to raise awareness on the need for gender equality for sustainability of the woman and the girl child especially in the face of ritual killings of our girls in Ogoja land and maltreatment of women especially widows in households.

    “CORAfrica as an organization is ever more ready to collaborate with women groups like the Catholic Women Organization (CWO) to help in the basic education, healthcare and economic empowerment of children and families to enable them thrive in thier respective locations.”

    He thanked the Deanery President of the CWO in Ogoja deanery Mrs Grace Modey for helping to organize her members towards a successful celebration of the IWD 2022.

    On her part, one of the speakers, Mrs Ann Modey who spoke on the theme, Breaking the bias through Security and Child education, cited Nehemiah’s prophecy and called on the women to rise to the challenge of ensuring that normalcy returns to Ogoja.

    She posited that the walls of Ogoja has been broken. And that it has never been as bad as it is currently. She decried the incessant ritual killings of female children and noted that children are highly in danger.

    Mrs Modey noted that sometimes women inadvertently act as accomplices to their children in cultism and prostitution through their inactions. She however, charged them to be open to their female children and tell them the truth about sex education.

    In another development, Mrs Anna Agba whose lecture was centered on Breaking the bias through Security and Awareness programmes, admonished women to desist from attitudes that lead to child trafficking as it has the tendency of impacting negatively on the overall well-being of the girl child.

    She listed some of the causes of child trafficking to include: Ignorance on the part of parents, poverty, greed, unnecessary competition among women, illiteracy, school dropout among other reasons.

    She cited a scenerio in Ogoja where a woman who lost her husband had used her three bedroom apartment to keep eight teenage girls and used them as sex workers for men. She lamented the situation and called on the police and law enforcement agencies to be alert in the area to abet such situations.

    In his closing remarks, the National Programme Manager of CORAfrica- Nigeria, Mr Attem Udejor expressed his appreciation to all participants and enjoined the CWO, UNCHR and the general public to always work together in support of CORAfrica activities.

    The event featured presentation of certificates of honor to deserving women who have distinguished themselves in different categories.

    The awardees were:
    1. Hon. Rita Ayim for Women participation in Political Activities and Awareness.
    2. Mrs Grace Modey for Women participation in Church Activities.
    3. Mrs Cecilia Ogar for Women activeness in the Civil Service
    4. Mrs Theresa Omara Achong for Women participation in Community Development and finally
    5. Women caring for Refugees and IDPs given to the UNHCR, Ogoja Sub Office, which was received by the Protection officer of UNHCR Mrs Molestsan Mmone.

     

  • A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    A Communique Issued At The International Women’s Day Celebration Organised By Children Of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) In Partnership With The Catholic Women Organization In OGOJA Deanery

    REBUILDING OUR WALLS:

    A COMMUNIQUE issued at the International Women’s Day Celebration organised by Children of Rural Africa (CORAfrica) in partnership with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in OGOJA Deanery on this day March 8th 2022.

    Arising from a one day seminar as part of activities to mark the 2022 International Womens Day held here in Thomas McGettrick Institute of Technology, Ogoja (old TTC); after a critical review of recent occurrences in our land, we the members of Children of Rural Africa Organization-Nigeria, in collaboration with the CATHOLIC WOMEN ORGANISATION in Ogoja Deanery wish to make the following resolutions:

    1. We commend the United Nations for the adoption of March 8 as International Women’s Day to promote women’s rights and honor their achievements across the political, economic, social and cultural spheres.
    We commend all agencies and organizations, and individuals that are working tirelessly to promote advocacy of the emancipation of women and we acknowledge and take responsibility for most of our children’s moral decadence and pledge to leave up to our expectations by fostering parental care and discipline on our children.

    2. However, we are highly bothered by the constant influx of the youth from rural villages into the suburban areas in the name of urbanization and we demand that the situation be critically reviewed by our governments, churches and civil societies groups as this trend is now endangering the lives of our youth especially girls.

    3. We condemn in entirety the unprecedented ritual killings of our young girls in Ogoja, the female trafficking of the girl child to far away destinations where they are often used as child labourers and sex workers as this has become rampart especially within locations in Ogoja, culminating in Mbok junction.

    4. Security agencies in Ogoja should rise to the challenge of providing security and fish out perpetrators of evils in Ogoja and ensure justice is served adequately. the Police, the army and other law enforcement agencies should reinforce their duties of ensuring security in strategic places to prevent kidnappers, armed robbers and ritualists. Traditional Leaders should enact bye-laws that will restrict children from getting trapped in these illicit acts.

    5. More efforts should be made to improve the task of vigilante groups especially in rural communities to preserve the lives of all society members especially the weaker members such as women, girls and children. Activities of Motorcycle riders also known as “Okada” should be critically monitored by day and night as most of them have become accomplices in the vice of kidnapping young girls to unknown destinations for ritual killings.

    6. We call on government to revive our educational sector, renovate dilapidated school buildings that have become eye sores, employ teachers and equip libraries and laboratories as well as review curricula to accommodate more of psychomotor advancement. Our institutions of learning have become highly inconducive for learning.

    7. Since most of our children spend their day at school, all hands should be on deck to improve the school curriculum, giving priority to social learning for skills acquisition and economic empowerment opportunities for young people. The Government, Churches and civil society groups should seek to establish and improve vocational centres that provide skills for both youth and women. They should also provide soft loans and if possible grants for graduates.

    8. Parents should inculcate in their children the moral value of contentment as most of those who indulge in promiscuity want to leave above their means through sometimes the greed of their mothers.

    9. Women should rise and participate actively in politics, to break the biases. More Seminars such as this should be organized at local levels regularly to create the needed awareness among women.

    10. We call on all men to join the advocacy to end all forms of violence against women and girls and be ready to support women to realize their full potentials.

    Dated this 8th day of March 2022

    Signed

    Attem Udejor Udey
    National Programmes Coordinator
    CORAfrica-Nigeria

    Grace Modey
    President, CWO
    Ogoja Deanery

  • Birthday Felicitation to Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Obele Abue

    Birthday Felicitation to Rev. Fr. Dr. Peter Obele Abue

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    Dear very Fr. Dr. Peter Obele Abue,
    Your existence is indeed a manifestation of God’s providential benevolence on mankind.
    In fulfilment of God’s words as addressed to the Prophet Jeremiah, 1:4, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you. I chose you and consecrated you to be a prophet to the nations”. Your apostolate has really justified God’s pronouncement.

    You are a rare breed among the pastors entrusted with the responsibility to shepherd God’s flock.

    Shortly after your priestly ordination, you left for further studies and while there, you created a niche for yourself positively, having lived a trustworthy life to the admiration of many, whose connects, contacts and support you leveraged. You built one of the best worship places in Cross River State for God’s glory, St. Theresa Little Flower Parish church, Ipong.

    Having painstakingly watched with utter dismay the sufferings of the African child and juxtaposing same with developed countries, you midwifed a pet project CHILDREN OF RURAL AFRICA code named (CorAfrica- Nigeria) to give hope to the African child.

    You sought for grants and support using your pet project, built and handed over nursery/primary and secondary schools @St. Joseph model schools/Orphanage, Idum -Mbube, St. Theresa the Little Flower nursery/primary school, Ipong in Obudu, to the catholic diocese of Ogoja.

    You have paid school charges for so many indigent children.
    You are a priest of no mean repute, touching lives through your ministration and charity.
    The church is in dare need of your kind especially in this era of gospel commercialization.

    On this day of your birth anniversary, the church in particular and the society at large demands your collaborated disposition to speak truth to power that suppresses us and deny us our due without compromise.

    The entire Mbube kingdom is blessed to have you as their son, your apostolate speaks volume within Ogoja diocese and beyond.
    It is my prayer for you this day that God hasten your plans for CorAfrica as to extend and expand your coverage to areas where the attention is needed most.

    Fr. Peter Obele Abue is the Vicar General of the catholic diocese of Ogoja and parish priest of St. Thoma’s Parish, Igoli-Ogoja local government area of cross river state.

    Padre, you have the assurances of our esteemed goodwill, support and prayers to shepherd God’s flock.

    Be rest assured that the best is yet yet to come
    The future is even brighter.
    Happy birth anniversary to you servant of the most high!

    #PeterObeleAbue
    #DioceseofOgoja
    #StThomasIgoli
    #CorAfrica

    Elijah Ugani
    Executive Director
    CorAfrica- Nigeria

  • CORAfrica Awareness Campaign on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    CORAfrica Awareness Campaign on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    As the issue of COVID-19 continue to increase around the globe, CORAfrica Nigeria took to both urban and the rural communities in Cross River State to educate the people about COVID-19 by teaching them how to stay safe, distribution of hand sanitizers, nose mask and food items to survive the hard situation caused by the coronavirus.

    Watch the video below 

  • CorAfrica sensitizes the public, distributes hand sanitizers and face masks.

    CorAfrica sensitizes the public, distributes hand sanitizers and face masks.

    By Admin

    A non profit organization, Children of Rural Africa CorAfrica, sensitized members of the public on the ravaging pandemic virus codenamed Covid – 19 as well as distributed hand sanitizers, face masks and food items to over 150 persons today, 8th April, 2020.

    The event was held at St. Thomas Aquina’s parish, Igoli-Ogoja local government area of Cross River State.

    The Executive Director of CorAfrica, Comr. Elijah Ugani, noted that “as part of our efforts to support the fight against the pandemic, covid-19, CorAfrica has decided to undertake on this sensitization to create the needed awareness to peevent the virus.

    “As for us in CorAfrica, this is awareness is not new to us it is part of our thematic areas, water, sanitation and hygiene WASH. We have decided to include children in this awareness because children are the most at risk as far as covid-19 is concern despite the fact that no child is reported to have been affected by the virus. If any of the parents is affected by the various, the child is directly affected.

    Ugani noted that “as schools are closed, children no longer go to school and there is no alternative measure for online lessons or home lessons to keep the children busy within this period and used the opportunity to call on parents to ensure that they guide their children or wards to study while at home”

    The ED used the opportunity to call on philanthropists, group of individuals and cooperate organizations to the challenge of the moment to partner with CorAfrica to ensure that the sensitization exercise is extended to other parts of the state.

    On her part, the representative of the Ogoja Head of Local Government Administration, Mrs. Helen Olufu thanked CorAfrica to have taken the bull by the horn to undertake the sensitization and especially for procuring all the items displayed for distribution.

    Olufu noted that “for all the sensitization I have witinessed here in Ogoja, this is the first to distribute the items I’m seeing here. I want to congratulate CorAfrica very sincerely and pledge that as a government, we will do whatever we can in our little way to support/partner with CorAfrica to continue this sensitization”

    In a similar vein, the Director General of Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Janet David Ekpenyong thanked CorAfrica for its magnanimous thought and contribution to sensitize the public on preventive measures against covid-19 in line with the cross river state government advocacy and distribution of face masks.

    Ekpenyong was represented at the occasion by the Primary Health Care Coordinator in charge of Ogoja local government area, Mrs. Elizabeth Ochini, held that “for CorAfrica to have procured the items despites high cost of it must be commended we will do everything within our reach to support you to continue your good work, may God continue to replenish you. Please go home and ensure that all that you have been told here is put to good use as CorAfrica is a model for other organizations to copy”

    On his part, Dr. Cyril Ogbonna took time to explain the cause, effects and prevention of the virus to the participants and taught them on the various methods of hand washing and some of the participants demonstrated hand washing after the sensitization.

    Highlights of the event was distribution of hand sanitizers and food items to the participants.

    One of the participants who spoke to THELUMINENEWS, master stephen Ajock thanked CorAfrica for the sensitization as he now know how to wash his hands properly and held that “may God continue to bless CorAfrica the organizers of the sensitization especially for asking me to read my books, for giving me hand sanitizers and food items, I’m happy”