Princess Celina Momoh, an Estate surveyor-turned journalist, is the founder and president of Welfare Communications Limited, publishers of Welfare Magazine. In this interview with IBRAHIM RAMALAN, the welfarist spoke on on the upcoming annual welfare day celebration as well as the need for stakeholders, especially the first lady of the federal republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan to key into her vision of empowering the widows and youth.
What is all about annual welfare day?
Annual welfare day is a day set aside specially to amplify welfare activities among the masses. It is a day in which philanthropists and other people that are noted for such welfare services to the people are celebrated. It is the initiative of the Welfare communication Limited so as to promote the well-being of the people by ensuring that the living standard of all reaches an ideal level.
What inspired you to put up this programme?
Well, my personal observation as regards the violence recorded in the society, especially among the youth has been a source of worry for me. For example, issues like cutism and a lot of killings that was taking place in the society made me decide to commence this programme. You see a lot of people who are handicapped when it comes to finances, economic empowerment. I then decided that something should be done to ensure that these persons are rescued.
When did this programme take off Officially?
Well, This programme took off officially in 2009. Eversince, we have been able to use modelling programme aimed at promoting welfare ideas. It has been a kind of stimulant to youth to embrace the programme. Nomination will soon start for people that will be celebrated that day.
What is the criteria for the nomination?
Having identified the welfare services that are attributed to some people, either through their human empowerment initiative or their social welfare services, we make such considerations and set to celebrate these persons on that day so as to further amplify these welfare services.
How can you describe the reception of this programme as well as their impact it has been able to make in the lives of an ordinary Nigerian?
Generally, right from when I was little kid, I was pained by a lot of disorders in the society. Issues that caused pain in my life had always been a thing of worry to me. That wad why I made up my mind that I would go into programmes and issues that will promote peace and well-being of the society. And Nature, having taken record of my promises, have put me in that line. Am an Estate surveyor by profession, but am not practicing it. Maybe because nature is holding me to my promise. Eversince I started this programme, it has been a welcoming one. Must of the programmes I initiated through Welfare Communications Limited has been well received by the public and it has made much impact. For Example, our reaching out to prison inmates. We reach out to prison inmates and try to make them better people when they are through with terms. We have always taught them how to become useful persons in the society and how to become peace promoters when they are out here in the society.
Your Challenges so far?
Issue of finance is one of our major challenge. That is why this year’s annual celebration of the welfare day we decided to focus on the office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan for partnership and assistance. I will make a special appeal to the First Lady to give positive response to the widow’s empowerment programme during this year’s annual celebration of Welfare Day which is coming up on the 16th of December. I am optimistic that she will do everything possible to assist because she is a welfarist in herself. She has always come to the rescue of the the girl-child, widows as well as the less previllaged in the society. We look up to her for assistance on this year’s Annual Welfare Day. I would also use this opportunity to to remind Edo State Government, Office of the Executive Governor, Comarede Adams Eric Oshomhole who has given directive to the commissioner for women Affairs, to make an adequate step towards ensuring that this empowerment vision is actualised.
Your Last words?
Am calling on all people to embrace peace because programmes developed by the government and other agencies need peaceful environment. So people should ensure that they make peace with one another. Again, that people should not give up in all their endeavours, bearing in mind that any mission you are to accomplish there are challenges bound to be faced. They should summon courage to ensure that they are ahead every challenge and hinderances.