The Project Director of Cal-maji Foundation, Miss Faith A.C. Ayegba, has been appointed as one of the United Nations Women Empower Champions in the 2016/2017 Champion for Change Initiative.
Ayegba, a graduate of English from Kogi State University, Anyigba, is one of the nominees out of 170 persons that the UN Empower Women found worthy from over 4,000 applicants from across the world.
Her humanitarian initiative has been involved in several develomental projects involving women and children in Nigeria for years.
The UN outfit said the nomination of Cal-maji Foundation was necessitated by the fact that over 500 students have benefitted from its educatiional intervention schemes in the year 2016 alone.
“UN Women’s Empower Women is pleased to nominate the 2016-2017 Champions for Change, representing a diverse group of dynamic and enthusiastic women and men from the private sector, civil society, academia and national and international organizations from both developing and developed countries.
The nomination of the 170 Champions is the result of a month long online rally with almost 4,000 applicants from all over the world. They campaigned and advocated for women’s economic empowerment by participating in several online activities on EmpowerWomen.org and on social media. As part of the rally, the selected champions have contributed extraordinary stories and resources, and substantive inputs to various online initiatives,” the statement read in part.
It continued: “Over the next four months, the Champions will work in three groups: (1) Advocacy and Social Media; (2) Business Development and (3) Skills Development. They will serve as Empower Women advocates for women’s economic empowerment both online and in their local communities. They will be involved in a series of innovative initiatives such as expanding the Organizational Hub, piloting the Financial Literacy course, and participating in the #BreakTheGlass and #HERstory campaigns.”
According to the statement, other 20 Nigerians who made the global list of 170 are Adekemi Adeduntan, Adenike Adedeji, Aderemi Bamgboye and Ajibola Oladejo.
Others include Anuoluwapo Adelakun, Carol Ajie, Doreen Anene, Evelyn Ezeagu, Ezinne Ikejiani, Immaculata Anudu, Kate Ekanem, Kelvin Chukwuemeka, Kemisola Ajide and Lilian Ifemuludike.
It added that other nominees are Lydia Oladapo, Maryann Egwuonwu, Oladimeji Abiodun, Oluwafunbi Alatise, Tinuola Aina, Nwanneka Okolo and Uzoma Katchy.
In her exclusive chat with Thinkers Newspaper, Ayegba expressed delight with the nomination and vowed to do more for women and children.
“Our organisation has been involved in rural and community development by increasing access to education and learning. This we have done through the edtablishment of an affordable community school in a community without any access to education or school learning facilities both for beginners and secondary students. We have a pupils strength of over 500 accessing education and priority given to the girl-child,” she said.
“Also we believe in community driven development and in the role women play in economic development of a family, community and the nation. Hence, we engage in various advocacy and skill acquisition training for women and also empowering young mothers with basic ICT skills.
We promote education and learning, capacity building, skill acquisitions, e.t.c
We are dedicated to the development of individual minds and her environs by increasing access to education, learning & healthcare for children, women and youths,” she added
