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No fewer than 5,112 people have benefited from a free medical mission organised by the O. B. Lulu-Briggs Foundation in Ogu, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, with 149 surgeries carried out during the five-day exercise.

The outreach, held between March 16 and March 20, 2026, took place at a model primary healthcare centre and addressed a broad range of medical conditions, drawing large numbers of residents from surrounding communities.

Chairman of the foundation, Dr Seinye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, said the initiative remains essential in tackling barriers to healthcare, particularly the high cost of treatment, which often discourages many Nigerians from seeking care.

She noted that the foundation has sustained such interventions for over two decades, targeting vulnerable populations with limited access to functional healthcare systems.

Of the total beneficiaries, 3,439 were women, while 1,673 were men. Surgical procedures conducted during the mission included hernia repairs, appendectomies, hydrocelectomies and lipoma excisions, among others.

The programme was supported by a team of 77 medical and 32 non-medical volunteers, led by Dr Famba Famba Daniel, who provided services ranging from consultations and diagnostics to surgeries and follow-up care.

The outreach was formally inaugurated on March 18, with representatives of the Ogu/Bolo Local Government commending the foundation’s continued investment in grassroots healthcare delivery.

Stakeholders and partner organisations described the initiative as both impactful and transformative, particularly in advancing access to healthcare as a basic human right.

According to the foundation, its medical mission programme has now reached more than 195,000 beneficiaries across multiple states.

Beyond healthcare, the organisation has also implemented interventions in education, water supply and economic support, as it continues to expand its presence across communities in the Niger Delta.

source:THEGUARDIAN

A non-governmental organisation established to support the Nigerian government in achieving universal basic education goals, Oando Foundation, has completed the pilot phase of its school’s Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) project across 30 public primary schools in Rivers State, with 300 educators trained and more than 15,000 pupils reached.

The intervention was implemented in Port Harcourt and Obio-Akpor Local Government areas.

It was designed in response to what the foundation described as a growing need for stronger foundational science education and the development of critical competencies among young learners at the basic education level.

The school STEAM project adopted a comprehensive approach targeting both teaching and learning outcomes.

A total of 300 educators in the 30 participating schools were provided with training, teaching tools, and instructional support to deliver hands-on STEAM lessons using the Nigerian Educational Research and Development Council (NERDC) approved curriculum.

The objective, organisers said, was to equip teachers with the knowledge and confidence to move beyond theoretical instruction to experiential, activity-based learning.

As part of the infrastructure component, the Foundation established a fully- equipped science innovation laboratory and distributed STEAM kits to all participating schools.

The kits and lab were intended to support practical learning and allow pupils to engage directly with scientific concepts.

Beyond classroom instruction, the project introduced pupils to professionals working in STEAM fields through a structured mentorship programme with staff of Oando Plc.

Pupils also participated in curated excursions aimed at exposing them to real-world applications of STEAM concepts and possible career pathways in science and technology.

A central element of the initiative was the Design Thinking Programme. Under this component, pupils were guided to identify challenges within their schools and communities, and to work collaboratively to develop practical and innovative solutions to those problems.

The pilot, which was launched in 2025, was implemented in partnership with the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), STEM METS Resources, and Oando.

It forms part of Oando Foundation’s LEARNOVATE strategy, which focuses on improving foundational learning through innovative approaches and promoting sustainability within educational systems.

Speaking at the close-out ceremony, Head of Oando Foundation, Tonia Uduimoh, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to scaling education interventions that address learning gaps.

“Expanding access to education is only part of the solution; we must also ensure that every child experiences learning in ways that spark curiosity, build confidence, and develop practical skills.

“That is the thinking behind the School STEAM Project. By making science and mathematics more engaging through hands-on learning, we are equipping young learners with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world,” she said.

Also speaking, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of STEM METS Resources, Jadesola Adedeji, said the initiative demonstrated the impact of combining innovation, partnerships and practical learning.

“Beyond improving classroom instruction, the project has empowered teachers with the confidence and tools to deliver engaging STEAM education, while equipping pupils with the critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills they need to thrive,” Adedeji said.

The Chairman of RSUBEB, Samuel Ogeh, emphasised the need to strengthen foundational STEAM education in public schools.

He noted that the future depends on raising children who are curious, confident, and equipped to solve problems, adding that when children develop critical thinking and curiosity from the start, they are better prepared to seize future opportunities and contribute meaningfully to society.

The ceremony concluded with the School STEAM Project Pitch Competition, where participating schools presented innovative solutions developed from challenges identified in their schools and communities.

State Primary School, Rumueme, emerged as the overall winner of the competition, while State Primary School, Elekaiah, and State Primary School, Rumuokwurusi, emerged first and second runners-up respectively.

Source:THEGUARDIAN

The Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan (SAIL) Foundation has launched a major education intervention to return 1,178 out-of-school children to classrooms across Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe State.

The initiative, tagged “Second Chance: A SAIL Foundation Education Development Initiative,” was unveiled on Sunday by former Senate President, Senator Ahmad Lawan, as part of efforts to widen access to secondary education in Yobe North Senatorial District.

The beneficiaries were selected from 17 secondary schools in Nguru, with the foundation committing to fully fund their secondary education for the duration of their studies.

The sponsorship package goes beyond payment of school fees, covering school bags, textbooks, uniforms and sandals to ensure the beneficiaries have the basic materials required for effective participation in school.

Lawan said the initiative was driven by his belief that poverty or difficult circumstances should not prevent children from receiving an education.

“Education remains the most enduring investment we can make in our youth. I have never wavered in the conviction that no child should be left behind because of his or her circumstance,” he said.

The former Senate President said the foundation remained committed to creating opportunities for young people in Yobe North and across the state.

As part of preparations for the new academic session, the foundation will begin the measurement and fitting of uniforms and sandals for beneficiaries on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The exercise is scheduled to commence at 8am at Galadima Maidunoma Mega School, Nguru, opposite Zangon Shanu.

The organising committee, chaired by Comrade Bashir Sharif Tahir, SAIL Coordinator for Nguru, will coordinate beneficiaries drawn from the 17 participating schools.

Lawan urged parents, guardians and school proprietors to ensure that beneficiaries attend the exercise promptly to facilitate a smooth distribution process.

He reiterated the foundation’s commitment to advancing education and creating sustainable opportunities for young people in Yobe North, Yobe State and beyond.

The intervention comes against the backdrop of persistent concerns over out-of-school children in northern Nigeria, where poverty, insecurity and limited access to educational facilities continue to affect school enrolment and retention.

link:THEGUARDIAN