THE
OSASU SHOW Friday 25th August, 2017 / osasu@tostvnetwork.com
SYMPOSIUM
Theme: The New Economy and Its Impact on Less Privileged Citizens Osasu Igbinedion: A Dynamic and Articulate Media Practitioner Championing Sustainable Development In Africa
Osun ranks highest in female genital mutilation – UN
About us
Power Mover, Osasu Igbinedion’s Passion For The People Has Earned Her Viral Status
“Charity begins at home, but should not end there...” THE OSASU SHOW F O U N D AT I O N
The Osasu Show Foundation
The Osasu Show Foundation
The Osasu Show Foundation
The Osasu Show Foundation
The Osasu Show Foundation
CONTENTS FEATURES
20 About TOSF After almost two decades of unprecedented economic growth in Africa, mostly visible in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya to name a few, the continent still witnesses a steady increase in the number of people living in poverty.
18
Power Mover
Osasu Igbinedion’s Passion For The People Has Earned Her Viral Status
03
Osasu Igbinedion:
A Dynamic and Articulate Media Practitioner Championing Sustainable Development In Africa
12
Osasu - UN
Osun ranks highest in female genital mutilation – UN
08
Profile of Ms. Osasu
A young, dynamic and articulate Nigerian with interest in the overall success of 'Project Nigeria,' parades a multitalented mind in the media world.
Pictures of 24Chief 05 About TOS 11 TOS interviews 19 About TOSF Editors Message
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About The Foundation: BACKGROUND
Overtime, disparities like this has led to a 20-30 percent gap between what men and women farmers are able to produce. However, by simply ensuring female farmers have access to the same resources as their male counterparts, the number of people living in poverty globally could be reduced by 100-150 million.
After almost two decades of unprecedented economic growth in Africa, mostly visible in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Angola and Kenya to name a few, the continent still witnesses a steady increase in the number of people living in poverty. This begs for the question as to what can be done to alleviate this scourge of poverty that The feminization of poverty is so real in the region as hundreds of millions of poor women struggle every day to has plagued this continent for so long. put food on the table, especially in the rural areas. The rural poor needs more than just training and capacity Women and girls make up the majority of the 1.4 billion people living in extreme poverty. In many African building programs – they need more than just handouts countries, women provide 60-80 percent of agricultural and charity. They need access to the agricultural inputs labor: producing food for their households and the market. and services they need to increase their harvests. They Yet, 90 percent of agricultural credit is accessed by men need access to markets, buyers to sell their crops at fair while women own less than 2 percent of the world's land. prices. TOSF was inspired by the vital roles women play around the world, meeting the food needs of their households and contributing to the development and growth of their livelihoods. Understanding that many have complained about the plight women go through and how empowering women could lead to world without poverty. It is therefore the desire of TOSF to work with women in line with the saying "invest in a man‌, but an invest in a woman ...� Therefore, TOSF has chosen to play a part in the eradication of poverty by attacking its root causes, not only its consequences.
Our vision To see an Africa of equal opportunities, a socioeconomic active youth population, where poverty has been overcome and every child has access to quality education.
Our mission Our mission is to improve the welfare and livelihoods of women and youths, especially those in rural communities through the creation of programs in education, economic empowerment and capacity building to fast track the eradication of poverty in Nigeria and by extension, Africa.
Our core values HARD WORK
ACCOUNTABILITY
PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT
COLLABORATION
We constantly hold ourselves to the highest work ethics and performance standards, tapping into the best of our creative core and refusing to settle for mediocre results.
We are accountable to the people and partners we serve, carrying out our operations in honesty and transparency in a continent plagued by corrupt practices.
We believe in challenging ourselves to the pinnacle of learning, innovation and transformation because we know that change happens through people.
We have identiďŹ ed that by embracing our diversity and fostering relationships we can actualize our vision to overcome poverty.
HISTORY
OUR
The Osasu Show (TOS) is a television program that strives to bridge the gap between the elites and the masses. TOS is the parent company to The Osasu Show Foundation (TOSF). TOSF started by giving cash to women in rural communities to start small businesses, pay school fees for children from rural communities whose parents could not afford it. As time progresses, the need to metamorphose into a foundation was inevitable.
Osasu Igbinedion: A Dynamic and Articulate Media Practitioner Championing Sustainable Development In Africa
T
he story of inspiring women who contribute to the development of the society if left untold never forgives silence. This is because there is no end to possibilities of what such women who succeed where men have more often failed can do. Africa, a continent with endowed human, mineral and natural resources, has successfully produced few of such women who have carved a niche for themselves in the society. These female legends are courageous and blessed with enormous ideas and unusual drive for excellence that could practically spin out great output from given resources in any venture. Their influence are felt not only within Nigeria, but spreads across Africa as successful and hardworking women who have been in the forefront of rebranding Africa’s image to the world. They are accessible and have hearts of gold; always willing to add value to peoples’ lives beyond what words can express.
Osasu Igbinedion, a dynamic and articulate media practitioner and young philanthropist, indeed, falls into the category of these rare women. She is now part of a group of relatively young women who represent the new face of broadcast journalism and partnership for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Osasu aggressively took her destiny into her hands to emerge as one of Nigeria’s prominent talk show host.
skills and took advantage of the upturn in Africa’s fortune which coincided with waves of the global economic reform. In alignment with SDGs, Osasu Igbinedion had in 2015 floated an instrumental communication vehicle called The Osasu Show (TOS) for harmonisation and extension of her unprecedented humane gestures and activities. Thus, she has been performing conspicuously with no gender, creed, religion or tribal bias.
Hardworking and diligent with a historic and ambitious pledge to end poverty, Osasu has affirmed Vince Lombardi’s assertion that “the price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand”. Osasu is a strong evangelist of the 2030 world agenda for Sustainable Development; an agenda that comprises 17 new SDGs, or Global Goals.
The 30 minutes talk show that runs simultaneously on AIT, BEN TV L o n d o n a n d I T V, c r e a t e s a n opportunity for critical discussions on the improvement of societal perceptions and ideologies amongst politicians, aspiring young leaders, entrepreneurs, industrialists, public servants, philanthropists, and professionals in various spheres of life.The programme has been applauded for consistently providing a medium for promoting the cause of the less privileged in the society which is in tandem with the SDGs’ agenda.
Osasu rose to fame when she unleashed her excellent communicating and entrepreneurial
Her work in Nigeria and across Africa has also proved her immense passion and efforts towards the achievement of the SDGs agenda especially that of goals 1, 4, 10, and 16 which are; to eradicate extreme poverty, ensure inclusive and quality education, reduce inequalities, foster peace and justice and build strong institution consecutively. The proverbial saying that “if you are generous, you will be prosperous and you do yourself a favour when you are kind, but if you are cruel you only hurt yourself” had so much manifested in Osasu’s life. She had through her media outfit broadcasted the injustice and societal ills across the nation. Many Nigerians are yet to recover from ills such as the activities of the Fulani herdsmen who have been accused of masterminding serial killings in various parts of the country. The massacre witnessed in Agatu of Benue State remains shocking as it was neglected by security operatives and even under reported in the media. However, many of us were shocked when Osasu Igbinedion appeared on our television screens reporting directly from the scene of the Agatu Massacre, putting her life at risk just to reveal the plight and sufferings of the voiceless. When asked what propelled her for this popular action, she said: “I was compelled to visit the indigenes of Agatu because I was appalled by the resounding silence of their leaders. I knew I had to give the people a voice, an opportunity to tell their story. Upon arrival I was shocked to see houses, cars, hospitals, churches burnt to the ground. No clean drinking water was
made available to them, the crops they spent months to harvest were destroyed or pilfered in the blink of an eye. The people are all distraught and a s w e s p e a k t h e s e herdsmen/perpetrators still occupy some communities in Agatu”. Osasu did not stop there, as a proponent of girl-child education and non-promoter of Child Marriage which is highly predominant in the North, Osasu visited several communities in Northern Nigeria, including Ngogo and Fagge Local Government Areas in Kano state where she rubbed minds with Islamic clerics and victims of child marriage to fashion out modalities on ending child marriage through quality education. She has also engaged legislators in the House of Representatives and Senate on several occasions to discuss how the Sharia Law and Child Rights Act contradict on this issue and what can be done to fix it. Expectedly, the forward thinking media icon and young social entrepreneur has continued her good work of impacting lives. She is known to be guided by the philosophy of “the life we live is for God and to then accommodate other people”. Further showcasing her genuine passion for people, in her efforts to bridge the inequality gap in society, Osasu takes to the streets to interview the common man about his everyday plight. During one of her interviews with the special adviser to the President on media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, she invited a cab driver to participate in the epic programme.
Her reach across Africa has distinguished her as a dynamic journalist and sincere champion for the implementation of sustainable development as the solution to Africa’s social, economic and infrastructural deficit. In her recent visit to Nairobi, Kenya, Osasu interviewed the Chairman of the ruling party, The National Alliance (TNA), Honourable Sakaja Johnson who is only 31 years of age. They discussed the role of young people in governance vis-a-vis the development of Africa. She also interviewed Mr. Kiprono Kittony, Chairman, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI). She impressively delved into the topic of Inter-Africa trade as an economic and developmental stimulus. Being among the few successful Nigerian women who are not guilty of selective amnesia and ethnic irredentism amidst the vacillating fortunes in today’s corporate world, she has featured several icons of different divides in her medium and disseminated messages that touched many lives. Osasu Igbinedion is a role model, a bold and brilliant woman who creates chances for others to excel, a new face of journalism with numerous admirers, and a rare gem who has generously given her skills, expertise and resources to make a difference in the lives of others. Osasu’s promotion of the SDGs in various capacities has indeed distinguished her as an independent and articulate champion of the United Nations Global Goals across Africa. Written By PETER OGBONNA
List of our TOSF accommodates a young and dynamic crop of professionals with varied managerial and transformational experiences in various human disciplines...
OSASU IGBINEDION
MIKE AZU-MONYE
Founder TOSF
Program Director
EHI ONI
KINGSLEY SINTIM
Board member
Board member
WHO WE ARE THE OSASU SHOW FOUNDATION (TOSF) is a nongovernmental organization created for the sole purpose of solving a social problem in a ďŹ nancially selfsustainable way. Our passion to improve the welfare and livelihoods of women through basic business trainings, funding and mentoring so they can therefore empower their children who we consider to be the next generation of African leaders.
WHAT
WE
DO
TOSSEP- The Osasu Show Social Enterprise Programme This is a platform created specifically to eradicate poverty by providing funds and support for women in rural settlements. This will help not only to build the skills of poor women but will create a more inclusive market.
Group Micro Loan (GML): This entails giving a loan to a group of five to ten women which will cover the cost of their businesses. The objective of this programme is to assist those who are unable to get loans from commercial banks
TOSCBH- The Osasu Show Capacity Building Hub This platform focuses on equipping the next generation of leaders with valuable skill sets:
Capacity Building Incubator (CBI): This is a social accelerator platform that teaches technical skills to those who might opt for CBI rather than ESS
Group Funding Initiative (GFI): This initiative is where a group of individuals commit to putting resources into a common pot at regular intervals to start a business. TOSSEP will then match 70% of the capital raised by the women Integrated Empowerment Project (IEP): It is proven that in order to alleviate poverty, individuals must be equipped with not solely monetary support but information and training as well. Therefore, this project will focus on improving the conditions of the poor through skill development and trainings including relevant volunteering or placement referral support. However, TOSSEP will also ensure that all beneficiaries are trained on the basics of bookkeeping and account reconciliation which will enable us track the progress of their businesses.
Group Funding Initiative (GFI): This initiative is where a group of individuals commit to putting resources into a common pot at regular intervals to start a business. TOSSEP will then match 70% of the capital raised by the women
Education Scholarship Scheme (ESS): This scheme will provide scholarships to students in primary and secondary schools from underprivileged homes
TOS/ASDC- Annual Social Development Conference TOS Annual Social Development Conference (ASDC) is the largest national and regional platform that brings together social development practitioners, researchers, scholars, stakeholders (from both the public and private sectors), as well as donors and beneficiaries. The principal focus of this conference is to promote synergy by improving links and information exchange amongst social development practitioners in Africa. The immediate offshoot from this conference will be the African Annual Social Development Report (AASDR).
THE OSASU SHOW ABOUT US: The Osasu Show, popularly referred to as TOS is a one stop development programme that focuses on the promotion and implementation of Sustainable Development in Africa, predominantly Nigeria. The Osasu Show provides information from state actors to non-state actors and vice- versa regarding economic, social, and environmental policies that cuts across borders. TOS creates an environment for critical discussions on the improvement of societal perceptions and ideologies. TOS caters to an audience of both the elite and masses; our viewers are interested in high level policy implementation, current affairs new and sustainable development that promotes economic growth, quality infrastructure, and improved health and well being for all Nigerians irrespective of social class. In strive to 'bridge the gap', The Osasu Show recently entered into a media partnership with the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) to promote the United Nations Global Goals for Sustainable Development targeted to be achieved by 2030. Our strategy is to highlight achievements and proffer solutions to key stakeholders in the public and private sectors regarding a plethora of development challenges faced by Nigeria's vulnerable population groups.
P R O F I L E O F
Miss
Osasu Igbinedion Ms Osasu Igbinedion, a young, dynamic and articulate Nigerian with interest in the overall success of 'Project Nigeria,' parades a multi-talented mind in the media world. The need to achieve the Nigeria of everybody's dream, led the effervescent media guru into programs that are already touching the various facets of the day-to-day Nigerian life. This humanitarian drive led Ms Igbinedion to think out of the box by plunging into the mainstream media in 2015 by first establishing The Osasu Show (TOS), a television programme that runs on African Independent Television (AIT), Independent Television (ITV) and BEN Television London (BEN TV), covering politics, business, and development in Africa. On The Osasu Show, Miss Igbinedion discusses the encumbrances in the business world, politics, health, hygiene, insecurity, thereby seeking ways to ameliorate the sufferings of our people. In the course of her distinguished media career, she has made exploits by her visits to herdsmen-ravaged Agatu village, in Benue State; oil-polluted areas in the Niger Delta region; the mindless killings in the Southern Kaduna part of Nigeria, child bride situation in Kano and other areas of the north. The Osasu Show was principally established as a one stop development programme that focuses on the promotion and implementation of sustainable development in Africa, with bias for Nigeria. It provides information from state actors to non-state actors and vice-versa, regarding the economic, social and environmental policies that cut across border.
Having made impact within her few years of the debut of The Osasu Show, the need to diversify into online television cropped up and Miss Igbinedion didn't dissipate time in establishing The Osasu Show Online Television to further disseminate her media engagements. Miss Igbinedion also has to her credit, The Osasu Show Magazine, which is also part of The Osasu Show Media Group. Apart from her media engagement, Miss Igbinedion is also the founder of The Osasu Show Foundation where she directly impacts on the lives of the underprivileged in the society through moral, material and financial aids. Born into the illustrious family of Igbinedion, in Okada, Edo State, Miss Igbinedion attended Stonehill College and Northeastern University both in the United States of America. She worked for prestigious firms, Metro Goldwyn Meyer (MGM) and was certified as a TV and Film producer from the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA).
POWER MOVER, Osasu Igbinedion’s passion for the people has earned her viral status
S
he needs no introduction although its possible you’ve seen her work already but are not yet familiar with her name.
A passionate media professional and broadcast journalist whose television programme, The Osasu Show is featured on AIT, BENTV London and ITV, Osasu Igbinedion is already making big waves. Democracy Day weekend, her interview with traders at Garki market on the performance of President Muhammad Buhari was the most viewed and discussed news item by Nigerians all over the world. Collectively that video is currently approaching 1 million views. Osasu has a portfolio of video broadcasts that range from sit downs with powerful public figures to exclusive features on the Agatu massacres. Her portfolio of work can be viewed on the show’s Youtube channel. In this interview with the HERALD newspaper, she speaks on how the Nigerian government can promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, create jobs and ensure equitable quality education for all.
You are being hailed as one of the most vibrant newcomers to the journalism sector? Why did you embark on this particular career? I’ve always been passionate about poverty eradication and psychological and physical empowerment for the poor. Few years ago, I sat to think how my education coupled with my work experiences can enable me achieve these goals as a business woman (as I’ve never wanted to get involved in politics). I prayed
about it and God revealed to me that purpose is to bridge the divide by giving a voice to the voiceless masses and put them in a position where their leaders will hear their cry for help or commendations. The result of this has led to my said goals which is the promotion and discussion of economic growth via physical- financial
empowerment for the poor as well as quality infrastructure for education, health and so on. Your interview with Mr. Chido and other traders at Garki market has gone viral on social media. Was this your most memorable interview ever? Which other moments were significant for you? (laughs) I spoke with Mr. Chido not too long ago and he is basking in the joy of his newly found celebrity status. The man is something else. I was completely taken aback by how quickly it went viral because I do this type of interviews all the time. I go to the market, I walk the streets and ask people to assess policies, government effectiveness and so on. So my visit to Garki market was just like any other show. The day I went to Garki, I first of all interviewed another trader who I was familiar with, his name is Mr. ThankGod. I had interviewed him almost a year ago before President Buhari was sworn into office. During my interview with him Mr. Chido started shouting “all this one wey una dey do we no dey see any impact. everyday interview interview yet nothing dey change.” My camera crew then appealed to him to be quiet that we will come and interview him after we were done with Mr. ThankGod.
As you rightly said, the rest is history as he is now a viral sensation. I knew he went viral when I started getting calls from Governors, Ministers, Senators, Entertainers, people in Singapore,
Spain, Turkey, UK, US and I can’t even list the amount of calls my team and I received because of Mr. Chido. Initially, many people were fearful for his life and mine but I ensured them nothing will happen and by the grace of God nothing has and nothing will. I remember during President Goodluck’s administration I did an episode titled “into the streets” and people shared similar apprehensions as well. TOS is a free and fair platform with zero tolerance for partisan politics. Our purpose is to give the masses a platform to share their thoughts and plights because their leaders are watching and listening. In special episodes you can visually see us bridging the gap, for example we brought a taxi driver on the show sitting directly opposite Femi Adesina, he had the opportunity to tell the President,
represented by his Special Adviser to Media and Publicity, what his struggles were and what he needed him to do. This is the aim of The Osasu Show; holding government accountable by giving
a voice to the voiceless. The moment we lose this drive and are coerced to silence the masses is the day I’ll quit journalism. What quality do you think makes it easy for you to track some of the elusive public figures you’ve been able to interview on your show? Prayers, transparency and persistence. Most of them know The Osasu Show is nonpartisan so
they feel comfortable coming on the show knowing they can speak their minds and will not be sabotaged.
You were recently at Agatu after the massacre that took place. How did you feel when reporting the incident? I actually visited Agatu Local Government area of Benue State in April. As a journalist, it is simply not enough to broadcast secondary news from your studio at all times. So I took it upon myself to go down to Agatu to ascertain facts because there were a variety of figures floating around in regards to the number of people that were killed during the herdsmen clash. Upon my arrival to Agatu, the first thing I noticed was the deplorable road infrastructure. I obviously travelled by car (Benue has no commercial airports) and Agatu is about three hours away from Makurdi. Even when we got to Agatu, a journey that should have taken us 15 to 20 minutes to the LGA Chairman’s residence took us another 45 minutes to an hour. That aside, after my interview with the LGA Chairman he took us around to the different communities. I was shocked to see
the level of destruction that had been done. Houses, churches, hospitals, schools, cars were all burnt down. The people remaining in the communities complained to
me that they had no drinking water, clothes, nor a place to lay their heads. It was extremely heartbreaking to see. I was relieved, however, because I knew the effect of finally giving them a platform where their voices will be heard nationally and internationally. After the episode aired, the local government Chairman called me to let me know that their leaders and other charitable organisations had come to donate to them en masse. There is still a lot of rebuilding and charitable work that needs to be done but I’m happy about the positive reactions The Osasu Show was able to ignite. Didn’t you fear for your life maybe a reprisal attack might occur? Initially, not really but the day my crew and I arrived in Benue State we took food items to an IDP camp in Makurdi where they told us about an new attack that had just occurred in a nearby community.
That obviously made us a little apprehensive but I said to myself and my crew that it was too late to turn back as we were already in Benue and had an obligation to give the people a voice so they can get the help they needed. Thankfully, they all agreed. How come a person like you, born with a silver spoon, is fighting tooth and nail to eradicate poverty in Nigeria? Well, to whom much is given much is expected. Africa’s potential is enormous and it is up to us, here and now, to exploit and develop that potential. We have the resources to eradicate poverty. Change starts individually not collectively, that is something we all must understand. A lot of people see poverty as an African endemic that can never be cured but I personally beg to differ. There are two foundational issues Nigeria must tackle if we truly want to end poverty and create a conducive environment. The first is providing
quality education for all. Secondly, building and empowering small to medium scale businesses. Social entrepreneur, Muhammad Yunus said in his book, Banker to the Poor, which happens to be one of my favourite books, “the poor are poor not because they are untrained or illiterate but because they cannot retain the returns of their labor. They have no control over capital, and it is the ability to control capital that gives people the power to rise out of poverty.” I’m not ignoring the fact that there are people who are poor because they are lazy, trust me I’ve met a few of those. However, the number of people willing to work in order to empower themselves and households are more. All they need is the startup capital and financial literacy. I’ve put this premise to practice before, so I’m speaking from experience. The Osasu Show Social Enterprise Programme has
been able to empower poor women by giving them capital to start small scale businesses. I saw first hand the social and economic impact of the success of this programme. One recipient was only able to receive antenatal care because of this. Another claimed to be able to send her child to school, and another could finally feed her family three square meals daily. The ripple effect of empowering the lower class is economic growth and employment. Take for instance these recipients I just mentioned, the first is now able to patronise a hospital, the second, a school, and the third, a market. Imagine multiplying this by 100 million or more. You can see the cycle of economic growth and development taking place. Another way to eradicate poverty is through education. According to the New York Times, “Nigerians make up less than 1 percent of the black population in the United States, yet in 2013 nearly onequarter of the black students at Harvard Business School were of Nigerian ancestry; over a fourth of Nigerian-Americans have a graduate or professional degree, as compared with only about 11 percent of whites.” If Nigeria is able to build quality educational institutions like Harvard, Yale, MIT, Oxford and so on, that are either subsidised through scholarships or free to the poor, we will be better off as a nation. What makes an Ivy League school great? Money, Professors and the Curriculum. Its unfortunate that we have teachers who do not get paid, who aren’t even educated in basic mathematics, english and geography. These are the people we entrust to impart knowledge in
our kids. Today we find ourselves in a situation where we are begging our brightest minds to return home from Diaspora. What does this mean for those who schooled locally? Are they no good? If so why? We must identify what is not working and reinvent the wheel especially if we want to see any meaningful change in our society. If our educational institutions were up to par, we are looking at an increased GDP and individuals that are forever indebted to our country and would want to invest and develop Nigeria for future generations. The importance of quality education must not be undermined in the fight to reduce inequalities and eradicate poverty. In fact, the most popular way to keep a man down is by starving him of quality education. As soon as our government can get these two areas right, a good percentage our problems as a nation will seize to exist. Look at African countries like Ghana and Kenya, their economies transformed overnight just by building quality schools, creating economic growth and jobs through empowering the general populace in agriculture and small to medium scale enterprises. Nigerians who can afford it, send their children to schools in these African countries and you can just imagine the effect it has on their own economy as opposed to ours. How can government accomplish this given the current state of our economy? We currently have a budget to implement this and I’m glad you asked this question because I’d like to appeal to Nigerians not to focus too much on Nigeria’s
economic downturn. There are plenty of businesses that thrive in more deplorable economic situations. I remember during the 2008 recession in the United States, businesses like Walmart (commodity store) were expanding although the media hardly reported this and focused more on the businesses that weren’t. What I try to do on The Osasu Show is discuss the positives, what is the solution to the current economic downturn and what can we do with with what we have, where we are, right now. I was reading the 2016 Africa Prosperity Report the other day which underscores the premise that human progress goes beyond economics. The report reveals that for any nation to flourish they must provide its citizens access to quality education, healthcare and opportunities for financial empowerment. In the 2016 budget, the present government is planning to inject N350B into the Nigerian economy and respectively giving out N500M to one million Nigerians. If I were to advise the President, I’d execute this strategy a little differently. I would create a system that invests directly into already existing small to medium scale businesses and empowering the unemployed with start up capital and financial literacy to create small businesses. The difference between both strategies is the effect on our economy. The former has little to no effect nor can its impact be assessed a month or two from now, but the latter would result to economic growth and employment. Quality Education, Healthcare and Structured financial empowerment programmes are the foundational ingredients for any successful nation.
TOSF sends
10
female students back to school in Kano.
Editors' note Nigeria is a nation so endowed by God to the extent some have convinced themselves that God is a Nigerian. Considering the trials and tribulations we've successfully overcome as a people, it is difficult to argue with this premise. Nigeria as we all know is stupendously rich in natural resources. We are blessed with oil, solid minerals, agricultural produce, vast human capital, and much more. Its been proven numerously that what binds us together far surpasses that which attempts to divide us. Our beauty and strength lies in our diversity of languages, tradition and people, our values as a collectivist people has acted as the steam that keeps us going. However, now more than every before, we must assiduously work towards remaining united and driving our country to greatness. How do we do this? We must collectively produce a consolidated national development plan. No nation has achieved greatness by wishful thinking or accidental leadership. No people have attained socioeconomic liberties living on the mere profession and ideals of “e go better�. Even the bible says, in James 2:17, faith without works is dead. We must rejuvenate its export basket. Agriculture has been in the forefront of national discourse but let us expand our horizon from aiming to export agricultural produce to agriculture machinery. Nigeria should plan to export chemicals, solid minerals, and machineries in diverse industries in commercial quantity. Let's take South Africa for example, with $106 billion USD in export revenue, they have a highly complex economy. Their export revenues come from Food ingredients, Automobiles, Solid minerals (11% Gold, 9.6% Diamonds, 7% Platinum, 5.2% Iron Ore) and so on and so forth. Most importantly, ten years from now, I'd like Nigeria to be a nation where basic human rights are no longer optional. All children must be well fed and educated. Power supply must be constant. Access to clean drinking water must be provided for all. Females must be given the same socio-economic opportunities as their male counterparts. I always tell those who care to listen that Nigeria is like a blank canvas which you can paint whichever way you deem fit. Unlike more developed countries, this means every stroke of the paint brush, every contribution towards the development of our dear nation, will be visible and most importantly, impactful. We must have a vision, plan with our vision, and set smart goals. We must stop looking for a messiah to save us as every country has their share of problems and even larger self-interest. Internally, we as citizens must break the habit of looking at the government to provide our every need because the bitter truth is the government cannot and will not. Nigerian leaders must deliberately design a development plan, which must transcend tongue and tribe, creed and culture, faith and religion; one which must be passed into law, and worked with irrespective of the government or party in power. Only then, can we truly deliver on the Nigeria of our dreams! This is the vision we embody as a show, a foundation, and a TV network. May God bless us and May he bless and sustain the Federal Republic of Nigeria, including all the people who love her – regardless!
Osasu
Ms Osasu Igbinedion's
Indelible marks Within her few, but eventful years in the media world, young, dynamic, articulate and kindhearted Ms Osasu Igbinedion delved into the philanthropic world, a world that is already deeply-rooted in the Igbinedion dynasty. Through her pet project, The Osasu Show Foundation, an offshoot of The Osasu Show (TOS), Ms Igbinedion is currently contributing her quota towards the amelioration of the plights of the downtrodden in the society. Interwoven with her passion and love for humanity, Ms Igbinedion has displayed her humanitarian gestures in different areas, most importantly, places that needed critical attention at the most crucial material time. Such areas include the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) located within the Area 1 section of the Garki part of Abuja; Karon-Majigi, Abuja; Agatu, Benue State; and had also extended her humanitarian works to Kano and Kaduna States up north.
Below is the highlight of Ms Igbinedion's many ongoing indelible works in the humanitarian world:
AREA 1 IDPs Ms Igbinedion is not alien to the sufferings of our people. Having been displaced by the ravaging monstrous Boko Haram fighters, the Area 1 IDPs currently houses victims of the dastard acts of Boko Haram. In her efforts to give the Area 1 IDPs a sense of belonging and fulfilment, Ms Igbinedion had on different occasions, visited the IDPs to put into action, what she knows how to do best – assisting the less privileged in the society.
From time to time, without any prior information, Ms Igbinedion and her team of young and talented Nigerians besieged the Area 1 IDPs unannounced for the distribution of food and clothing; engaging in women empowerment by giving out soft loans and also, extended the gesture to the men folk so that they can adequately take up the responsibilities God has placed on their shoulders.
Karon-Majigi
The name 'Karon-Majigi may sound strange to many Nigerians, even to those in the media world, but not to Ms Osasu Igbinedion and her team. Ms Igbinedion has made Karon-Majigi situated along the Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Way, Abuja, her constant point of call. Time after time, Ms Igbinedion astonishes the people of Karon-Majigi with her humanitarian gestures. The foundation, through its sole efforts, has provided learning facilities, clothing, and women's empowerment by providing them with soft loans. Apart from her generous giving, Ms Igbinedion's special way of mingling with the people of Karon-Majigi is one of signiďŹ cant note. Successive visits by The Osasu Show Foundation continue to lighten-up the community and Ms Igbinedion is not ready to rest on her oars. Day after day, time after time, Ms Igbinedion is rolling-up her sleeves to further immerse herself in the humanitarian world through the upliftment of the people of Karon-Majigi.
Agatu
Agatu, with a resident population of mainly farmers, presented a special case of utter shock and disbelief not only to the entire country, but to the entire world. From nowhere, Agatu, a local government area situated within the Idoma part of Benue state became notorious for bloodletting. After its ďŹ rst attack on Jan 21, 2014, with the killing of 20 civilians and ďŹ ve soldiers, Agatu came into national and international consciousness when the international community woke up to the carnage perpetuated by Fulani herdsmen in Agatu in 2016. Created in 1996, Agatu used to be the Agatu district of the old Otukpo division. With its headquarters at Obagaji, Agatu is one of the nine local government areas in the southern senatorial zone which is mainly occupied by the Idoma people of Benue State. Following the massacre, Agatu became a no go area, but not for The Osasu Show Foundation. Apart from telling the true story of Agatu through its media platform, the foundation provided food, clothing and shelter for the affected families.
Kano Scholarship Scheme In a region where educating the girl-child was an aberration, The Osasu Show Foundation continues to make indelible marks in the sands of time. In Kano, The Osasu Show Foundation, through its educational arm, provided scholarship to 10 female students and currently has as its plans, the hope of sending more girls back to school. Apart from the foundation's ongoing scholarship scheme, The Osasu Show Foundation is gradually unfolding its plans of putting educational structures in place for the exclusive intellectual needs of the northern girl-child.
‘Water is life, and clean water is health..’ THE OSASU SHOW F O U N D AT I O N