Blog
JAF Empowers 10 Women in Lagos
March 4, 2014
Joan Agha Foundation showed its commitment to its mission through a women empowerment event held in its office on March 4, 2014. A total of ten (10) women from different works of life were financially empowered with a total sum of eight hundred and sixty thousand naira (₦860,000.00.).
The Foundation empowered five (5) women from Makoko community, four(4) women from Good shepherd catholic church and a woman from The Catholic Church Of Divine Mercy, Lekki.
After going through many proposals, the president approved the beneficiaries’ proposal to receive intervention from the foundation. The event was held at the Foundation office in Lekki Phase1 by 12.00pm.in attendance for the event were
Mrs Joan Agha ( President/founder) and Mr Peter Ayeke (treasure) representing the board members.
Below are the names of beneficiaries, address, amount the foundation gave to each beneficiary as interventions and purpose for the intervention.
JAF Sponsors 11 Youths For Skill Acquisition at Favoured World
April 13, 2013
The Foundation sponsored 11 youths for skill acquisition through the Favoured World program with the sum of N385,000. The youths were sponsored to learn various vocational skills ranging from catering to pastering.
Twins Educational Tutors School Receives Support From Joan Agha Foundation
October 19, 2012
One of Joan Agha Foundation’s area of focus is education and medical Aids support scheme which is structured to inform, sensitize and educate students and the public on the basics of education as well as personal hygiene.
This was demonstrated on Friday October 19, 2012 during the foundation’s visit to Twins educational Tutors school, Ajiran, Agungi, Lagos State.
In an interactive session with the students, the Founder and President of Joan Agha Foundation, Mrs. Joan Agha, started by asking the students what they can do to make Nigeria great? One of the students Vinepor George, responded by saying, ‘we should put hands together to bring peace to our country’. Another student, Deborah Michael said, ‘we should pray for our country to be great’.
The President further said she was pleased with the brilliance of the students, and thanked the proprietress and teachers for their commitment to ensuring the students are well taught, adding that, ‘teaching is a noble profession’. She urged the students to continue to pray for their teachers.
Mrs. Joan Agha also gave a talk on personal hygiene and spoke extensively on cleanliness. Seventy (70) students received educational and health support packs comprising JAF branded jotter and pen, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant and bathing soap(Forever Living Products). Teachers from the school visited also received complimentary gifts from the foundation.
In her response, Nathasia Goodluck, on behalf of the students, expressed gratitude to the foundation for their support and prayed that God will continue to bless and sustain it.The proprietress of the school, Mrs. Owodunni Taiwo thanked the Founder and President of JAF for the generous support, praying that God would continue to bless and prosper the foundation.
The Founder and President, Mrs. Joan Agha, on behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation, pledged a cheque of One hundred thousand naira (N100,000.00) to support the school structure.
Foundation Supports CYFI Health Team
August 14, 2012
It was a remarkable day for the Health Team of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) which was inaugurated in 2011 by the US Consulate General, Lagos, as the Joan Agha Foundation (JAF) presented four (4) cartons of Ever Shield deodorant (Forever Living Product) to support their health awareness initiative programmes.
The presentation was done by the Founder and President, Mrs. Joan Agha on behalf of the Board of Trustees to a representative of the team, Miss Raquel Jacobs.
In her remark, Mrs. Agha commended the team for the great job, adding that the foundation is proud of them for giving back to the society and pledged the continuous support of the foundation to the team.
Foundation Gives Support to Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI)
July 30, 2012
The entrepreneurial team of the Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative (CYFI) which was inaugurated in 2011 by the US Consulate General, Lagos, will ever remain grateful to the Joan Agha Foundation (JAF) for their support to aid their Vocational Training Project in Ibadan. A youth entrepreneurship and creativity academy set to impact vocational skills in the area of film making/photography, shoemaking, ICT and entrepreneurship.
In her remarks, the Founder and President of the Joan Agha Foundation, Mrs. Joan Agha, commended the youths for their efforts to serve humanity, adding that she is impressed that they are not after what the country can do for them, but how they can give back to the country. She urged them to keep up the good work and wished them well in all their endeavours.
In their response, the Fellows represented by Ebenezer Akinrinade expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Joan Agha Foundation for its sponsorship. They also thanked the Founder and President, JAF, Mrs. Joan Agha for her mentoring role.
A cheque of N236, 000.00 (Two hundred and thirty six thousand naira) was presented by the Founder and President of JAF, Mrs. Joan Agha to the youths.
Graduation Ceremony of Youths and Women in various Skill Acquisition At the International Women Society (IWS) Training Centre in Lagos.
June 12, 2012
Tuesday June 12, 2012 would remain a day to remember in the history of Joan Agha Foundation (JAF) as it witnessed the graduation ceremony of eight (8) youths and women whom she empowered in various fields of skill acquisition at the International Women Society (IWS) training Centre.
It is important to note that vocational training and skill acquisition are the most effective ways of empowerment, and as part of its commitment, JAF found it passionate and worthy to invest in human resources by way of training these youths for sustainable job creation.
In the welcome address by the President of the International Women Society, Mrs. Evelyn Akeredolu, she said, ‘today marks a new beginning in the rest of your life’, work hard, be courageous, steadfast and set your mind to achieve your goals, and by so doing, would become a source of joy not just to IWS, but also to your families.
In her speech, the founder and President of JAF said, ‘the mind is the greatest tool that God has given to us, with the right mindset and relevant action, success is guaranteed, thus you can become anything you want to be’. She encouraged the graduands to be hardworking, disciplined and to stay focused. She said they will get discouragements and criticisms along the way, but the best answer to critics is success. She also urged parents to always give their children good advice and guidance that would help make their dreams a reality. Adding that, the foundation would continue to partner with IWS to empower indigent youths and women to make life meaningful for them.
While the Chairperson of the training Centre, Mrs. Stella Odunwa, in her opening remarks, urged the graduating students to ‘go into the world and be their best. Putting all they have learnt into practice, and by that, will be doing a great service to the IWS and the society as a whole, adding that, ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’.
Her Excellency, wife of the state Governor, represented by Mrs. Risikat Akinode, in her speech, enjoined the graduands to further build and improve on themselves as they go out, and that they can only achieve that through hard work.
In the remarks by the initiator of the training centre, Mrs. Dame Marie Fatayi-Williams, said that the institution which started as a mustard seed over 12 years ago is proud today to record as part of her history to have produced 101 graduates. She urged the graduands to put into practice the skills and training they acquired.
Highlights of the event, was Atilogwu dance performed by the students, fashion parade, exhibition and presentation of souvenirs to partners
In her vote of thanks, Ms Onyinyechi Idor expressed gratitude to all the sponsors for their interventions and support.
The event was well attended.
Foundation Gives Delta Youths N1.6m Loan
April 13, 2012
It was an exciting and a memorable day on Friday 13th April, 2012 at Joan Agha Foundation (JAF) corporate office Lekki, Lagos. The Foundation through its youth empowerment scheme presented eleven (11) Obinomba youths with micro credit loans for 2 years (without interest) to the total sum of N 1, 650,000.00 (One Million Six Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only).
Need Assessment was carried out among some youths in Obinomba community and eleven (11) were identified for this first intervention. Each of them collected a cheque of N 150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira only) to grow their businesses or start any business of their choice, ranged from Fish Farming Business, Poultry Farming,Bar/Soccer Arena, Barbing Saloon to Computer Business Center.
The Founder and President Joan Agha Foundation, Mrs. Joan Agha while speaking at the event, was overwhelmed with joy, thanked God for what is happening here today. The Founder in her remark, admonished the beneficiaries to be faithful in small things, so that God will enlarge them in due time. She further stated, they should think big, have great vision, be kind and charitable to one another. She continued, as they have made a step of faith to accept these token from the Foundation, their businesses will grow beyond their imaginations, thus becoming employers of labour.
While the BoT Chairman JAF, Mr. Andy Otike-Obaro in his opening remark, advised the Obinomba youth beneficiaries, to be faithful, that God honors faithfulness. They should not take any money out of the seed capital, without the purpose of which is meant for. He added that only faithful servant shall abound with blessings. He concluded by encouraging them to be diligent, hardwork and faithful.
The LOC Chairperson, Mrs. Francisca Obine really commended the Founder and President Joan Agha Foundation, for giving her wonderful vision to help the less privileged. She also advised the Obinomba youths beneficiaries not to let her down. She emphasized, they should be F.O.C.U.S (ie Follow One Course Until you Suceed). She advised them to pray for their business, so that they will succeed, and began to employ others. She also acknowledged the JAF Founder, Mrs. Joan Agha and her husband, Engr. Billy Agha for thinking of Obinomba first. She prayed that their effort and love for humanity will not be in vain.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr. Cyril Chinedu Otali thanked the Foundation for teaching them how to fish and not to give them fish to eat. He acknowledged the youth empowerment scheme of Joan Agha Foundation was the first of its kind in Obinomba community. According to him, they would judiciously use the loan very well for the intended purpose. He prayed that as JAF founder has invested in them, she will continue to reap in millions fold.
Foundation Provides Motivational Items to Arrows of God Orphanage Home.
March 31, 2012
Saturday, March 31, 2012 would remain fresh to the Arrows of God Orphanage Home Oke-Nla Ajah, in Eti-Osa L.G.A. of Lagos State. Joan Agha Foundation (JAF), a non-governmental organization (NGO), recently visited the Orphanage Home, to ensure that the noble aspirations, desires and goals of indigent orphans are not aborted.
JAF team, led by the Founder and President Mrs. Joan Agha brought motivational items including; food stuffs, provisions, toiletries etc to the Arrows of God Orphanage Home in fulfillment of the Foundation’s Welfare Support Scheme.
The Founder and President of the Arrows of God Orphanage Home, Rev. Lt. Col. I.D.C. Ogo (Rtd) with her staff and the orphans were overwhelmed with joy and gratitude for the motivational items received from Joan Agha Foundation.
In an interactive session with the Founder of the Arrows of God Orphanage Home, JAF President, Mrs. Joan Agha made it clear that her Foundation aims to cater for the needs of the future leaders, especially these orphans and indigent children. She stated that the Foundation, which was founded on the philosophy of sharing and selfless service, was established to take care of the poor-homeless, orphans, widows, aged/displaced persons, brilliant indigent students and graduates with entrepreneurial skills.
Speaking further, the JAF President stressed “that under our Welfare Support Scheme, the Foundation has specially packaged welfare scheme for the orphanage homes. Our mission for this visit is to bring hope, care and love to these orphans and abandoned children through provision of food stuffs, beverages, toiletries etc.” She also commended the Founder and the entire staff of Arrows of God Orphanage Home for their heart of love, dedication, sacrifice, care and support to these children in the last two decades.
She acknowledged “the generous donations of the Ambassadors of Hope of the Foundation and also thanked the Brand Managers, Maclean and Holicks of GlaxoSmithkline Consumer Nigeria Plc for supporting the outreach with their brands, She concluded”.In response, The Founder of the Arrows of God Orphanage Home thanked the JAF President and her team for remembering these orphans. She solicits the Foundation to continue to support the Orphanage Home.
JAF Partners with IWS to sponsor 8 Youths for Skill Aquistion
January 1, 2012
As part of the commitment of the Foundation to empower indigent women and youths for sustainable income generation, JAF, in partnership with an accredited skill acquisition centre (International Women Society Skill Acquisition Centre, Lekki) has provided eight (8) deserving indigent persons the opportunity to acquire skills in different fields of their choices ranging from Catering and Event Management, to Sewing & Fashion Designing.
Women Empowerment Outreach in Obinomba Community, Delta State
December 1, 2011
It was an eventful and memorable day on Thursday 1st December 2011 in Obinomba community, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State. Joan Agha Foundation (JAF), through its Women Empowerment Scheme, presented thirty (30) indigent Obinomba women with micro credit loans (without interest) to the total sum of N 2,170,000.00 (Two Million One Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira only).
Need Assessment was carried out among some women in Obinomba community and thirty (30) were identified for this first intervention. The cheques given to the women ranged from N20, 000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira Only) to N100, 000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira Only) to grow their businesses or start any business of their choice, thus empowering them for sustainable income generation.
The Founder and President JAF, Mrs. Joan Agha while speaking at the event, said “Today the Foundation is here to make a difference in the lives of some of our women who will be given soft loans without interest according to their needs to start a business or expand an existing one”. According to her “this is the first intervention the Foundation will be making in Obinomba but will certainly not be the last”. She added that the Foundation will continue to look for ways to make life more meaningful to the men, youths and women of Obinomba community. “No matter what we do, our efforts can only compliment the good work being done by the Delta State government” She said.
While the Chairman BoT JAF, Mr. Andy Otike-Obaro, in his Welcome Address stressed that “JAF is born out of a passionate heart that yearns for a touch on the down-trodden because whoever shows mercy on the needy becomes a banker unto God. He further stated that when a woman is impacted, a nation is actually being impacted. Just like the mustard seed, these women can commence the building of a solid future”, he concluded.
The wife of the Delta State Governor, Her Excellency, Mrs. Sheila Uduaghan ably represented by Barr. Benedicta Izuegbu in her remarks commended the Foundation on her first intervention to Obinomba women and the wiliness of Delta State government under the Ministry of Women Affairs and Ministry of Poverty Alleviation to support and collaborate with Joan Agha Foundation. Her Excellency thanked the Foundation for helping to reduce poverty in the state. She said the gesture was in line with the government’s agenda. “Indeed, it has been a wonderful occasion,” she said. “And because of what I have seen here my advice is very simple and plain. Government cannot do it all alone for the people. Government and other bodies must partner to see that development is brought to the micro level. And there is no how government can come to every level. But with the coming of an NGO like that of Joan Billy Agha, it will go a long way in helping government in this part of the world.”
The chairman of the occasion, an Associate Professor, Felix Okpilike excitedly said “no day passes here without Ukwuani people mentioning Billy and his wife. He went on to note that they remember the Agha family for its philanthropy everyday even in their dreams. He described human capital development as an uneasy agenda that the state government is also addressing. Continuing, he said: “Today the Foundation is out to teach us how to fish not to just give us fish to eat. Today, we are pleased to associate with this programme and also know that this is the beginning of such programmes. God will empower this Foundation financially in such a way that soonest, more people will be empowered through this Foundation.”
The event was well attended. The beneficiaries expressed gratitude to Joan Agha Foundation for this intervention and first of its kind in Obinomba community. They pledged to judiciously leverage on this seed capital to build thriving and sustainable business thus; adequately catering for their families. It was all in a glamorous atmosphere with musical accompaniments to which the women danced out their hearts.
Once again, the President thanked the generous donors of the Foundation, who made these interventions possible. Souvenirs were distributed to attendees.
The Foundation Holds its First Medical Outreach Programme at Ikota Community
On October 15, 2011 the President, Mrs. Joan Agha, led a team from the Foundation to Ikota Community for its First medical outreach programme.
A health-talk and enlightenment session was led by Dr. G. A. Adeyemo (M.D), a Specialist in Internal Diseases, who spoke extensively on the prevention and treatment of Malaria while Ngadi Florence (RN & RPN), also spoke on best hygiene practices as the key to the prevention of diseases and infections. An interactive session featured, and Dr. Adeyemo and the nurse addressed all concerns satisfactorily.
During the visit, members of the community were provided insecticides treated mosquito nets, towels, tooth paste, tooth brush, detergents and free medical consultation. More than 150 medical kits were distributed to residents of the community.The event was attended by board members of the Foundation, led by the President, the Treasurer- Lady (Lt. Col) M.A. Obigho (rtd), the Secretary- Inneh Osarenoga Uyiosa, Esq. (LLB, BL) and the Financial Secretary- Mr. Peter A. Ayeke, volunteer team of medical personnel and staff of JAF.
The beneficiaries expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation, for having such a vision of helping the poor, adding that such Godly act has not reached the community in a long while. They also urged other relevant NGOs to emulate the gesture of the Joan Agha Foundation as it will go a long way to increase and improve health and hygiene awareness as well as reduce the scourge of malaria and other diseases in Nigeria.
The President expressed her appreciation to the Foundation’s Ambassadors of Hope (donors) who donated very generously to enable the Foundation intervene in the lives of the indigent persons among us. She also used the opportunity to solicit for increased partnership from International Organizations, Donor Agencies, Government, Corporate bodies and members of the public towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals especially as it pertains to health care services.
JAF Publication
