ChiYoWo had a wonderful time celebrating with the winners of the just concluded Prize Award Ceremony of ChiYoWo’s World Creative and Innovation Quest 2023: Step Out, Innovate, and Solve a Problem Competition.

The Ceremony that took place online with a packed virtual room full of guests and partners was a testament to how excited we were to finally give out the Prizes to the deserving winners.

Emmanuel Obanijesu (Emlight – Reading Light) emerged as the winner (Branded Laptop and Cash Prize), followed by Umar Iman (Afrik Eco Designers – Recycling) as the 1st Runner-up (Branded Phone and Cash Prize) and Adefunke Bello (Waste Management Solutions) as the 2nd Runner-up (Cash Prize). In their acceptance speeches, they all pledged to continue to work to develop solutions that would positively impact their communities and the world.

It was an honour to have our Chairman of the Ceremony Dr. Ebenezer Idowu Ajayi deliver his keynote talk where he encouraged youth to, ‘Talk the talk; and walk the walk’, while they make changes to something existent or introduce new methods, ideas or products in the bid to find sustainable solutions to existing or new global challenges.

In addition, ChiYoWo announced and introduced the ChiYoWo Mentoring Hub – Sustainability Programme. According to the Founder of the ChiYoWo Initiative, Tokunbo Ifaturoti, “support from our volunteers and partners will be vital as we continuously dedicate time and effort to empowering youth, by offering a comprehensive platform for structured training, personalized mentorship, and invaluable practical experiences”. 

Our thanks go out to our Organising Committee led by Onyeka Titigbe and Esther Temilade, our Judges, Viviane Adjado, Karen Miles, and Dumi Senda, to our partners, Stephanie Inneh (Talscent, the Handmade Sustainable Candle Making Company), Dr. Ajayi (Ebelola Bioenergetic Solutions/ STEMSEL Nigeria/ STEMSEL Foundation Australia) and all our volunteers and guests.

What a great achievement!

Fun Times as we wrap up 2021

ChiYoWo – Children, Youth, and Women Empowerment Initiative had a wonderful Christmas Celebration with over 65 people including staff and girls at the Little Saints Orphanage Home Abule Egba, Lagos Nigeria.

Thanks to our volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this a dream come especially for the young girls in the Home despite all odds. Our utmost gratitude goes out to our donors The METO DIGMA, Nigerian Schools Foundation – NSF (UK), and Bisi Gbadebo as everyone had fun. It was truly a day to remember.

Giving back puts smiles on the faces of everyone who makes a difference in the lives of others – no matter how small. Everyone got presents, took part in our Arts and Craft sessions, played musical chairs, had snacks/food, and listened to empowering words from all the Teams in readiness for the New Year!

With uttermost gratitude to God, we also appreciate the Management of the Little Saints Orphanage Home for welcoming us with open hands and giving us the platform to express love, kindness, and encouraging words.

Enjoy our slideshow as much as my Team did and ‘The Meto Digma’ Team who had so much fun and won the musical chairs competition. Thanks again to all our volunteers and donors and may the New Year usher in greater accomplishments for all of you as we continuously strive to give back as best as we can. #gratitude #kindness #givingbackfeelsgood

Viviane Adjado Nigerian Schools Foundation (NSF) UK

Much appreciated,
The ChiYoWo Family

NB: For privacy reasons, we can’t show the faces of the children in the Home.

Spread the Light Campaign!

Talscent, partnered with ChiYoWo and donated 15 high-quality Solar Reading Lamps to some children in Ikorodu as part of their ‘Spread the Light Challenge’. Do you remember earlier in the year when we ran a Pastry Making workshop in Ikorodu and children from a nearby school (Master’s Mind Lead School) attended one session as a day out? Well, they were very eager to learn, attentive, and relayed everything back to their teachers and parents. These Solar Reading Lamps will help them to read and do their homework when they face challenges with electricity supply. Thanks to Esther Temilade and Solarin Wuraola for their continued support and to our donors Talscent the Handmade Scented Candle Company for their donations and we look forward to a great 2022!