According to World Health Organization,  over 700,000 people die due to suicide every year  and it is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds globally.

Worried by the increasing cases of suicide among Nigerian youths, the Save Our Women and Girls (SOW&G) Foundation decided to bring together stakeholders in the health and education sector to discuss ways of curbing the menace.

The event, which was part of activities marking this year’s International Day of the Family, held on 24th May, 2018 and also featured a workshop on how stay at home mothers and other women can earn an income from home and make a successful career from their passion.

The panel was  able to established that most teenagers resort to suicide as a result of poor academic performance; pressure from parents who compare their children with others and sometimes making them feel inferior or worthless and pressure from the social media because some  kids are on social media prematurely and they get carried away by the show of affluence that in most cases is not real.”

Dr. Deji Osasona highlighted four main causes of suicide among youths to include undue academic pressure by teachers or parents that are not emotionally intelligent; peer pressure, which can come in form of sexual issues, socialisation issues, class, as well as intimidation or bullying; financial pressure; and religio-cultural pressure.

Mrs. Chinedum Oluwadamilola, stated that teenagers want to feel loved, accepted and important and to avoid undue emphasis on academic excellence; the school came up with recognizing the different things that students can do.

Finally, the expert recommended ways to prevent suicide  which includes listening to the victim without judging them, giving reassurance, not an empty or fictitious one; identifying the strength of the children and creating an avenue to start practicing that strength and teaching them to affirm their strength each day. Also,  participants were advised to provide support, which can be in form of one’s presence in their lives, informational support, as well as encouraging professional help.

The second segment of the event had female entrepreneurs educate and inspire participants to harness various options around them to create sustainable income stream.

Mrs. Temitope Okonnu was on ground to train participants on how to convert some of our waste materials to re-usable products .

The WEST initiative seeks to train, inspire, challenge and empower women through positive values and requisite skills for entrepreneurship. Teaching women and girls skills to become successful in life is at the core of Project WEST.

WEST Project Objectives
Providing constructive activities that contribute to reducing illicit activity.
Providing an asset which enables women and lets them help others.
Generating income sources and creating job opportunities.
Promoting attitudinal change and breaking a cycle of poverty among women.

For the first training session, over a 110 women were trained in the areas of: Soap making and other household detergents, Catering/cocktail practicals, Jewellery making, Ankara bags and accessories, Make up/gele

Our goal is to help a lot of women across the cities of Nigeria to achieve financial independence & security, build skills and resources to start small businesses or diversify their income and build a better life.

The four major components of the project are:
1. Skills acquisition training in baking, jewelry making, soap making, Ankara fabric designs etc.

2. Sales & Marketing training for budding female entrepreneurs
3. Motivational sessions by seasoned entrepreneurs
4. Award of incentives and mentorship scheme.

The month of March has quite recently become a month that a lot of women the world over, look forward to. Besides those celebrating their birthdays, getting hitched within the month, it has also become one of great significance, as it holds the day, the United Nations have set aside to celebrate women. This is referring to the International Women’s day, IWD, marked on the 8th of March every year, since it was first observed in February 28th 1909 in New York in commemoration of the movement for women’s rights. The beauty of it is that, the events that surround the day, are not just left for D-day as some take place before the 8th, some after, and all through the month, making it a month long bouquet of activities. Several organizations, agencies, government and even individuals, host several events, with sub-themes woven around the main theme or just stick with the overall theme of year. So, International women’s day 2017 was no different as there were hundreds of events hosted all over Nigeria, to mark this day. The theme for this year was ‘Be bold for change’ In that light, Amb. Unyime-Ivy King, a UN Eminent Ambassador of peace hosted her own event at the Oakwood Park Hotel, Lekki, with the sub-theme: I am the change. The event witnessed the unveiling of her new project; the Save Our Women and Girls Foundation, (SOW&G) which was incorporated in the year, 2016, as an avenue for her to express her humanitarian passion for the girl child and women, who are in vulnerable situations. The focus of the Foundation is on training, mentoring, educating and building the capacity of women and girls in Nigeria, also help in raising funds to support credible NGOs that are into gender advocacy.

In her remarks, Amb. Mrs. King likened the impact of a positively influenced young woman, to a key that unlocks the door for so many others. She also made an advocacy for a generation of women that will stand up in support of one another, and not be intimidated or seek to pull down the other woman. She stressed that being bold for change is not only about some grand or big gesture; saying that you may not be able to change the world, but you can sure begin in your neighborhood, by affecting one person at a time.

The event also had in attendance, other speakers who touched on other areas that affect the women folk. Speaking first, Betty Abah, executive director Centre for Children’s Health, Education Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) spoke about the condition of children in some impoverished communities in Lagos, specifically Makoko, where she said many of these children could not afford the daily school fees of N30 to N50. She further encouraged people to be responsive to the needs of the less privileged in those communities. According to her, the wealth we are blessed with is not for us to show off or live in unnecessary opulence. A little can make so much difference, and that giving is the best way to maximize our lives, to inspire hope in otherwise hopeless situations and make the world a better place for all.

Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, a fertility expert and MD of nordica fertility centre. spoke about endometriosis, a gynaecological disorder which causes painful menstruation and other discomforts in women. Stating that one in 10 women have endometriosis which are often mismanaged, adding that though the disorder has no cure, it could be managed.
Ada Osomonika a Public Health Consultant and one of the trustees of the Save Our Women and Girls Foundation, had a presentation about health and healthy living, with particular emphasis on hygiene, encouraging people to take responsibility for their Health & Wellbeing. Known for her uniquely creative, afrocentric designs, as expressed in many dynamic ways. Funmi Ajila-Ladipo the CEO of Regalia House of Fashion and the National President of Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), dwelt on the need to buy Nigeria, patronize our made in Nigeria goods, to grow our economy. She spoke about the unique qualities of women who are not swayed by current trends that erode our values. Dr. Mercy Ezenwa, MD, Kangen Water Machines Limited, shared on the health benefits of Kangen water and how one can get the machines.

The event was compered by former most beautiful girl in Nigeria, Omasan Buwa who is also a Socio-political analyst, T.V presenter, radio personality and columnist. Even as a former beauty Queen, Buwa always identified with the ‘ common man’. As a Technocrat , she rendered her services to Delta state – setting up the first social/welfare system for reasons with disabilities. The Graduates were given employment, the skilled had their businesses enhanced and the neediest were taught to fish as opposed to given fish. She held the audience spellbound with her commanding control of the microphone on the day. For Amb Unyime-Ivy king, her event might have come and gone, but it only left good memories and some good lessons learnt on the day. As SOW&G takes off, the real work then starts…

As part of the very colourful event, there was a medical check for attendees and an exhibition, powered by the Fashion Designers Association of Nigeria (FADAN), Some of the guests at the event included; Ini Abimbola, Lead Consultant/CEO, of Thistle Praxis Ltd, Glowreeyah Braimah and Nwando Omosebi who rendered the Nigerian National anthem, in a classic duet, to kick start the event, Chinyere Anokwuru, executive director and founder of Self-Worth Organization and former Senior Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Women and Girls Affairs, Nollywood movie producers, Emem Isong, Blessing Egbe-Effiong, Amy Oyekunle, former executive director of the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy ( KIND), Chito Mark- Graces Hats Ltd, Dr. Joy Osazuwa – president of Wiseheart Solution Foundation, Eme Adenirokun, founder of Lindy’s Events, Riri Okoye, an international marketing consultant, Itohan Asibor- MD, Bluberry Cakes, Faith Ifeyinwa Nwakwesi, author and educationist, Kris Aluta of GMD, PPSL, Armah Anyebe- MD, PPSL, Njideka Raleke-Obiora- founder, Eminent Women Network, Iniobong Umoh-Obinna Onunkwo, Executive Director of Little Weavers Page, Mr. Taiwo Adepoju of the Phenomenal African Woman (PAW) Foundation, Idongesit Micah- president of the Nigerian Female Students Association, Akwaowo Clifford, student leader and many others.