…We Have Raised $5m for Child Support in 17yrs, Says GIPLC
The Global Initiative For Peace and Care (GIPLC) has revealed that the body has raised $5 million in child support, since it began operation 17 years ago.
The Director General and National Coordinator of GIPLC, Nuhu Kwajafa, made the revelation Thursday in Abuja at the presentation of life-changing N100 million ($160,000) cheques to Nigerian children requiring surgeries both within and outside the country.
Kwajafa disclosed that the cash disbursed was raised by the Grand Patron of the NGO, Igho Charles Sanomi, on May 20, 2023 at a birthday dinner in Paris, France.
Fielding questions from journalists, Kwajafa said: “In the last 17 years, the NGO has raised over $5 million for children support all over Nigeria, including South Sudan. People keep saying things are rough but how did we do this? We use the power of volume. If you want to raise N1 million, get 100,000 people to give 10,000 each. If you want to raise money, the power of volume is the way to go.”
On how partnership with government can be of assistance, he explained that partnership with government can work, adding that: “Last year, we held a party for 5,000 orphans, we wrote to all the governors, ministers, agencies of government and parastatals. We were not asking them for money but educational materials. None of them responded. Common things like sharpener, eraser, books etc. So the way government can partner with us is, when we write, be part of us. Show commitment.”
He further revealed that government is overwhelmed, hence the citizens should take the bull by the horn, adding that: “Most renowned NGOs don’t give money treatment but rather spend on diseases like cholera, HIV, Polio etc.”
He called on all Nigerians to get involved in every little way they can.
“The government too is overwhelmed . Every Nigerian should know that it is our responsibility to reach out to the children in need. That’s why we call it the everyday problems. UNICEF, Bill Gates Foundation will never give you money to pay medical bills of children. They can spend money for various problems: HIV, polio, cholera but to give you money to pay medical bills, they wouldn’t. It is our responsibility.
“Let every Nigerian subscribe. What can you give every month: a thousand, two or five thousand every month. By the time a million Nigerians give a thousand naira monthly, that’s a billion naira. We can save life with it. Even the state governors. Do you know that the governors spend N10 million for logistics on each trip? Even a million naira by all the governor’s every month will go a long way. So, it’s a collective thing. People keep asking, how do you sustain this? The answer is, how are mosques, churches etc? It is by participation. It’s just about the collective will of the people to do the right things. People are dying every day,” he said.
On the heavy responsibility lined up before his organisation, Kwajafa said: “Today, we gave out over N100 million. I have over 700 children in need of help, which can cost over N700 million. People keep dying every day.
“The driving force is the success story. The smiles I see on the faces of the recipients. Just like we saw today, many people were testifying to successful surgeries and treatments. That’s the biggest motivation. The success story we are recording is making us want to work harder. Sometimes some of the surgeries are not successful but those that are successful give us joy. We are more on the positive side. We want to do more.”
Emotions were high when a cheque of N10 million was presented to Ruth Joseph, whose four-month-old child has a hole in the heart billed for surgery in India.
Mrs Joseph couldn’t find words to express the depth of her gratitude as she rolled on the floor in tears.
Favour Adah Kole, whose Orphanage Home in Makurdi Benue State has benefited tremendously from the activities of GIPLC paid glowing tribute to Kwajafa, who she described as one of the most detribalised Nigerians.
“I didn’t know him from Adam. He only heard about my orphanage and started reaching out to me. Since then, he has been keeping in touch with us. One evening, I and my 50 children were looking for N200 to buy pepper for our dinner. I didn’t know where to get it from. Suddenly, my phone rang, it was Mr Kwajafa. He said that he called to check how we are doing. He said he was going to transfer N200,000 to me that evening. The way I shouted made him realise we were in dire need. He immediately increased it to 500,000,” she said.
Mrs Kole presented a Pillar of Service award to Kwajafa, while praying to God for more provision for him to do more.
A total of 15 families were presented with N100 million cheques for treatment of various health ailments.
GIPLC is a non-governmental organization headquartered in Abuja, Nigeria, with a steadfast commitment to promoting sustainable and participatory community charity projects that uplift vulnerable children and widows in Nigeria and around the world.
THISDAY