Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Tag: Philanthropy

  • Global Humanitarian Focus: Channels TV Chairman to Lead Rotary Leadership Forum

    Global Humanitarian Focus: Channels TV Chairman to Lead Rotary Leadership Forum

    In an update published by The Punch, the Chairman and CEO of Channels Media Group, Dr. John Momoh, has been announced as the keynote speaker for the 2026 Rotary International District 9112 Team Learning Seminar. The event, scheduled for later this month in Lagos, is designed to prepare district officers for leadership roles within the global humanitarian organization for the upcoming 2026–2027 year.

    The seminar will focus on the intersection of professional excellence and humanitarian service. Dr. Momoh’s selection highlights the critical role of media and communication in driving social change and supporting the charitable activities of organizations like Rotary. The forum is expected to attract business leaders and philanthropists from across West Africa.

    Leadership newspaper validated the appointment, quoting the District Governor-elect who said, “Momoh’s leadership in the media space brings a unique perspective to our humanitarian mission.” ThisDay also covered the announcement, noting that the seminar would take place at the Orchid Hotel in Lekki. A Rotary official was quoted saying, “We need leaders who can communicate our vision to a modern, digital audience.”

    Echotitbits take:

    John Momoh’s involvement signifies a growing trend of “Corporate Social Leadership,” where Nigeria’s top business executives are taking more visible roles in civil society. This forum will likely set the tone for how NGOs in Nigeria leverage media partnerships to fundraise and execute projects in the face of dwindling international aid.

    Source: The Punch – https://punchng.com/channels-tv-chairman-headlines-rotary-leadership-forum/, and February 2, 2026

    Photo credit: The Punch

  • Nigerian Books of Record inducts five diaspora Nigerians into its Hall of Fame

    Nigerian Books of Record inducts five diaspora Nigerians into its Hall of Fame

    In an update published by The Nation, the Nigerian Books of Record (NBR) inducted five eminent Nigerians in the diaspora into its Hall of Fame, citing long-standing leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s image abroad.

    The recognition is framed as documentation of national impact beyond borders—spotlighting philanthropy, professional excellence, and sustained ties to home despite residence overseas.

    The ceremony’s message is also aspirational: build a public archive that celebrates diaspora impact and nudges newer generations toward structured giving, mentoring, and institutional partnerships back home.

    Beyond the event, the value depends on evidence—clear impact records, published profiles, and transparency around selection criteria.

    Vanguard named the inductees and described their impact pillars, while Leadership also reported the honourees as “5 diaspora legends” welcomed into the Hall of Fame.

    Echotitbits take: This works best when it becomes a pipeline—connect honourees to youth mentorship, investment in institutions, and measurable community projects. Watch whether NBR publishes robust public dossiers beyond ceremony-day publicity.

    Source: Leadership – https://leadership.ng/nigerian-books-of-record-celebrates-5-diaspora-legends-with-hall-of-fame-entry/  January 7, 2026
    Leadership January 7, 2026

    Photo Credit: Leadership

  • Merck Foundation and São Tomé First Lady align on healthcare capacity building and infertility stigma campaigns

    Merck Foundation and São Tomé First Lady align on healthcare capacity building and infertility stigma campaigns

    Merck Foundation and São Tomé First Lady align on healthcare capacity building and infertility stigma campaigns

    In a release distributed via APO Group and published on Africa Newsroom, Merck Foundation said its CEO and the First Lady of São Tomé & Príncipe discussed joint programmes to strengthen healthcare capacity and tackle infertility stigma.

    The conversation was framed around training, advocacy, and media engagement—using high-level convenings to keep reproductive health, maternal health, and systems strengthening on the policy radar.

    The real-world impact depends on implementation: scholarships delivered, training cohorts completed, and hospitals or institutions integrating the newly built capacity.

    Merck Foundation’s official announcement said the goal is to “strengthen healthcare” and expand training impact, while a republished report highlighted efforts to “break infertility stigma” through advocacy and community engagement.

    Echotitbits take:
    Stigma is often more damaging than the condition itself—because it delays care and drives misinformation. Watch for multilingual public campaigns, local clinician training, and integration into national reproductive health programming.

    Source: Zawya — January 2, 2026 — https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/africa-press-releases/merck-foundation-chief-executive-officer-ceo-and-sao-tome-principe-first-lady-discussed-their-joint-programs-xc03fgus

    Zawya 2026-01-02

    Photo Credit: Zawya

  • Oluremi Tinubu’s @65 Education Fund closes at ₦25.52bn for National Library project

    Oluremi Tinubu’s @65 Education Fund closes at ₦25.52bn for National Library project

    2026-01-01 07:50:00
    According to The Nation, the Oluremi @65 Education Fund—set up around Nigeria’s First Lady’s 65th birthday—closed after raising ₦25.52bn, tied to education support and the National Library project.

    The disclosure puts a hard figure to a fundraising drive that drew attention for both its scale and the stated goal of moving a long-delayed national institution toward completion.

    Execution is now the key issue: procurement transparency, governance structure, and clear milestones that show the money translates into measurable progress.

    The Guardian Nigeria also reported the fund “has closed after raising” ₦25,520,708,074.35.

    BusinessDay similarly stated the appeal “had reached a total of ₦25,520,708,074.35” as of December 31, 2025.

    Echotitbits take:

    Nigerians will support public-good projects when trust is high. Watch for an auditable dashboard, published milestones, and transparent contracting—otherwise the story risks ending as a headline without delivery.

    Source: The Nation — January 1, 2026 (https://thenationonlineng.net/oluremi-65-education-fund-raises-n25-52bn-for-national-library-project/)

    The Nation 2026-01-01

    Photo Credit: The Nation

  • Veteran Nigerian Diplomat Arthur Mbanefo Dies at 95 as Tributes Pour In

    Veteran Nigerian Diplomat Arthur Mbanefo Dies at 95 as Tributes Pour In

    Photo Credit: Premium Times
    2025-12-25 10:45:00

    In an obituary report by Premium Times, renowned Nigerian diplomat Arthur Christopher Izuegbunam Mbanefo has died at the age of 95, with his family announcing his passing in a statement.

    The report notes Mbanefo served as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and also held leadership and philanthropic roles linked to education and institutional development.

    In the family statement quoted by Premium Times, his son said: “With heavy hearts and profound gratitude… the Mbanefo family announces the passing of our beloved patriarch,” adding that burial arrangements would be communicated later.

    Separately, Punch reported President Bola Tinubu’s condolences, describing Mbanefo as a former UN envoy and noting tributes from public officials as the country marked the loss of an experienced elder statesman.

    Echotitbits take: Mbanefo’s passing is a reminder of a generation of diplomats who helped define Nigeria’s international posture. Watch for institutional tributes—especially from universities and professional bodies connected to his philanthropy—and how the state honours his diplomatic legacy.

    Source: Premium Times — December 24, 2025 (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/845292-nigerian-diplomat-christopher-mbanefo-is-dead.html)

    Premium Times 2025-12-24

  • Don Jazzy pushes back as online critics target donation beneficiary

    Don Jazzy pushes back as online critics target donation beneficiary

    According to The Punch, music executive Don Jazzy publicly defended a young woman who became a target of online backlash after receiving his donation to support her charitable initiative.

    Punch reported that critics accused the beneficiary of being greedy or fraudulent, but Don Jazzy argued that her request centred on helping others and that she did not “owe anyone anything” for receiving support privately.

    Social media posts circulating the exchange (including reposts on Instagram) echoed the same theme: Don Jazzy insisted that generosity should not be policed by online envy and that helping people is personal choice.

    The incident has reignited debate about public giving, social-media entitlement, and how philanthropy narratives can be weaponised in Nigeria’s online spaces.

    Analysis/Echotitbits take: This is more than celebrity gossip—it’s a window into how Nigeria’s social media culture can punish both givers and receivers. For public figures, the lesson is to expect backlash regardless of intent; for beneficiaries, transparency helps but won’t silence trolls. Watch for whether the beneficiary follows through on the promised project updates, and whether this shapes how celebrities choose to give going forward (quietly vs publicly).

    Source: The Punch — 13 Dec 2025 (https://punchng.com/don-jazzy-slams-critics-for-dragging-woman-who-received-his-donation/)

  • UN refugee agency appoints 2Baba Goodwill Ambassador

    UN refugee agency appoints 2Baba Goodwill Ambassador

    Tobiloba Kolawole

    The United Nation Refugee Agency, UNHCR has appointed Nigerian born world-renowned musician, Innocent Ujah Idibia popularly known by the stage name 2Baba, as its Goodwill Ambassador.

    The appointment of 2Baba, who is also a music producer and philanthropist was announced in a statement by the UN Refugee agency today, Tuesday 23, 2020.

    The agency stated that for the past three years, 2Baba has been a committed High-Level Supporter of UNHCR’s LuQuLuQu campaign – a pan-African movement of people from all walks of life investing in a better future for forcibly displaced people across the continent.

    The International agency noted that the talented musician has over the years dedicated his time to uplift the narrative of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDP) in Africa.

    In 2017, during a visit to IDP camps in Borno State, north-east Nigeria, 2Baba remarked that: “These families shared heart-breaking stories of watching loved ones being kidnapped or killed, forced to flee the comfort of their homes and leave everything they knew behind. I saw how they struggled to access basic things that we take for granted – like food, water, education and healthcare.

    “I witnessed UNHCR’s work firsthand during my visits and commend the organization for being on the frontlines, providing emergency relief and support to forcibly displaced families. I believe in this organization and I’m proud to be associated with UNHCR”, 2Baba the first Nigerian to be appointed as a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador stated.

    Reacting to the appointment, the UNHCR Representative in Nigeria, Chansa Kapaya, expressed optimism about the positive impact 2Baba’s appointment will bring to the organization and refugees.

    “Nigeria hosts 60,239 refugees in south east Nigeria and over 2.6 million internally displaced persons in north east Nigeria.  With such staggering numbers of people forced to flee in Africa, 2Baba’s support and advocacy is instrumental for Nigeria and the continent.

    “We look forward to his continued incredible commitment”, Kapaya said.

    As an Afropop music legend, 2Baba has given his voice to refugee and IDP causes. In 2017 he wrote and recorded, Hold My Hand, a song dedication to internally displaced persons, which helped raise funds for UNHCR’s humanitarian response.

    Apart from his time, physical presence at the refugee/IDP camps and song dedication, 2Baba has also generously contributed personal funds to support refugee and IDP families in Africa, while continuing to use his celebrity status to raise awareness and support for UNHCR’s work.

    In his welcome statement to the new Goodwill Ambassador, UNHCR’s Director of External Relations, Dominique Hyde noted that: “At a time when one percent of humanity has been forced to flee, we welcome 2Baba’s help in raising awareness and support for refugees and our cause.

    “We welcome 2Baba to the UNHCR family as a Goodwill Ambassador and commend him for being part of the movement challenging the narrative of the African refugee”, Hyde said.

    The appointment of 2Baba comes as the world is facing unprecedented levels of forced displacement globally, with 79.5 million people forcibly displaced.

    More than 26.4 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have been forced to flee their home, the largest number of displaced people in the world.