National Telescope national telescope newspaper
Funmi Ojo
Non- governmental Organisation, Dorcas Oke Hope Initiative (DOHAL), has reiterated it’s commitment to empower vulnerable youths in Africa.
The organisation, a charity arm of the Sword of the Spirit Ministries stated that it’s mission is aimed at supporting the vulnerable in the actualisation of excellence in their various field of endeavor.
Speaking during the 20th anniversary of the foundation held at Precious Cornerstone University auditorium, Ibadan the founder, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, revealed that the initiative was established in memory of his late daughter, Dorcas, a 300-level student of Engineering who died of typhoid fever after been placed on adulterated drugs unknown to her parents in 2001.
He said the foundation was thereafter birthed on October, 2003 and had since supported thousands of vulnerable youths.
According to him, the programmes of the foundation include; the Death Prevention Programme (DPP), Youth Emancipation and Empowerment Programme (YEEP), Rural Development and Empowerment Programme (RUDEP) and Disaster Relief Programme (DRP).
Inaugurating the new management with Bishop Dapo Asaju as it’s Chairman, Bishop Oke said, “at 20, DOHAL has impacted several thousands of young Africans in very significant ways through its multifaceted programs which includes Seminars and workshops ,Youth Empowerment, the disaster relief operations,the annual school debates, DOHAL Scholarship Scheme, and the annual DOHAL Foundation Day lectures.
He also appreciated and commended the performance of the outgoing management of the NGO led by Professor Bolanle Awe; DOHAL partners and the Donor agencies for the success recorded and their support.
He implored the new management team to use their leadership prowess and wealth of experience to restructure DOHAL.
In his acceptance speech, the new Chairman, Bishop Asaju promised to give his best to ensure that the core values of the foundation is actualised.
He said, “As the new Chairman of DOHAL, I will build a solid foundation where the past team stopped. The selection of the Board of Trustees (BOT) is drawn from different parts of Nigeria. We will work together as a family to take Dohal to the next level. We will support the founder, touching lives of people is an honor,” he said.
Past beneficiaries of DOHAL applauded the impact they have enjoyed through the commission in the area of skill acquisition and Entrepreneurship programme.
Professor Wale Coker, one of the appointed new Board of Trustees (BOT) enjoined stakeholders to partner and support DOHAL Foundation as the programme has moulded and changed students. He encouraged them to take care of the needy adding that the widows have equally benefitted from the foundation.
In the same vein, awards of BOT, past members and staff of the foundation, where also recognized in their different categories.
Summarising the objectives of the project, DOHAL Executive Director, Mrs. Oluwafunmilayo Ajibulu said, “In pursuance of the Death Prevention Programme, DOHAL embarks on series of school outreach as part of its missions of providing information, education and counseling on preventable health concerns, using integrated and sustainable approach. Issues discussed include child abuse and the challenges of the African Child, benefits of Sexual purity, personal hygiene, and dangers of pre-marital sex.”
Through this programme, diseases and deaths have been prevented in homes and communities.
For the YEEP, DOHAL organises career counseling and seminars, offers scholarship for indigent students from poor homes as well as skill/vocational and entrepreneurial development and training. It also embarks on mentoring and motivational programmes.
Under YEEP, several out-of-school youths of both genders are identified and trained in various vocations to help them to earn decent living. For instance, the organisation has arranged several trainings in sewing and Oyo Saca project. So far, 795 out-of-school children have benefitted from this programme, thereby restoring hope to many homes.
65 Orphans & vulnerable children (OVC) on empowerment. Over 4,000 participants were enlightened in the Annual lectures. 2,345 children from secondary and primary schools attended the Annual debate. 213 individuals on skill acquisition. While 25 motherless babies homes and orphanages were visited with foods and other items. While 14,000 inmates in Agodi Correctional Centre were fed toiletries and medications during our annual visit.
DOHAL’s Disaster Relief Programme (DRP) has assisted many victims of flood and other natural disasters. For instance, relief materials, including food, clothes and building materials were distributed to 100 victims of Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State in IDPS camps were empowered with 50 sewing machines and 50 Corn mills as means of livelihood.
Not forgetting the 50 victims of flood at Abuja, the Communities of New Bussa and Jos equally benefitted from the programme.
19,798 vulnerable youths benefitted from 30 medical outreaches. 1,256 drug vendors and sellers benefitted from campaign against selling fake drugs.
56, 437 school pulpils were reached through school outreach on various topical health issues.
The Rice project to feed 40,000 people during the 40th Holy Ghost Convention, 2022″.
The inaugurated new Board of Trustees are Prof. Dapo Asaju,
Dr Akin Akinpelu, Prof. Wale Coker, and Pastor Isaac Oke.
