COVID-19: Ooni Of Ife Inspired NGO, Hopes Alive Initiative Supports NBA Ikorodu Branch

As Nigeria battles to contain the spread of novel Coronavirus, many government agencies, corporate organisations and spirited individuals have shown hands of fellowship to cushion the effects of the dreaded disease ravaging the world in the country.

It is not surprised however to see Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II identifying with this humanitarian cause.

On Friday, 27 March 2020, Hopes Alive Initiative, supported the NBA Ikorodu Branch with food provisions. P.M. EXPRESS reports that the donation was motivated by the work the PDSS in NBA Ikorodu was doing to ensure that suspects are not denied of their rights. 

The PDSS is Police Duty Solicitors Scheme Volunteers, a pool of lawyers who volunteer to provide legal services to the poor and the indigents.

Thanks also to the funding support from TOTAL E&P Multipurpose Coop Society, NBA Ikorodu Branch has been able to provide free legal services to indigents and others in the Ikorodu Community. 

Members of the NBA Ikorodu Branch Probono Committee have always been on standby to provide free legal representation and other services to the public to ensure that the rights of citizens are protected during this period. 

The funding enables lawyers to also earn a little something during this difficult times using their profession to help the less privileged. 

The Chairman of NBA Ikorodu Branch, Bayo Akinlade Esq. noted that “we have to be innovative at this crucial period. We must think about the welfare of our members and the interest of the community we reside in. The community is our source of income as lawyers; we cannot neglect them at a time such as this.”

He stated further: “I consider justice to be as vital as food, water and shelter. Therefore, a lawyer’s job is an essential one. Our members understand the importance of giving back to the community where our clientele comes from. We appreciate this and that’s why during this period, we will make ourselves available to them”

The Branch has also used the funding to provide support for the Police Duty Solicitors Scheme Volunteers as well as for its committee that supports women, children and persons with disabilities. 

With the new Lagos law on COVID 19, the Chairman of the branch encouraged his members to study the law and be vigilant.

He said: “You may be required to defend an accused person in this regards, hence you are required to do your homework on the law and other related legislation. Remember to be professional at all times. The justice of the case should be paramount. If your client is guilty, save the court’s time by entering into a plea bargain or request for a fine to be paid if your client can afford it. Remember not to go out if it’s not necessary.”

Earlier in the month of March, Total E&P Coop Society made a N1 million donations to the NBA Ikorodu Branch to enable it provide free legal representation to inmates awaiting trial. The Branch has since October 2018 handled more than 150 cases with over 80 inmates released from the correctional services.

Meanwhile, Princess Temitope Adesegun, Deputy Convener/CEO of Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI) said that with the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 in Nigeria, the Ooni of Ife through his NGO, Hopes Alive Initiative, sees the need to donate foods and hygiene items to the needy.

“Hopes Alive Initiative is committed to help the less privileged directly or indirectly. Our donation is to support the lawyers in Ikorodu who have volunteered to offer free legal counsel to the less privileged who may need legal assistance at this time of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said the Princess who has the large heart to help the people.

P.M. EXPRESS understood that Princess Adesegun is passionately committed to the service of the needy. She is a selfless social service provider assiduously complementing the House of Oduduwa in giving hope to the hopeless. The NGO under her watch has in two years shown a great level of responsibility attested to by various executed projects in the country, uplifting orphans and less privileged children in the society with a view to giving them hopes for a better tomorrow.

The Hope Alive Initiative is a NGO with a vision to create and potentiate global improvements in chosen areas such as education, healthcare, economic development, environment, arts, aids relief and other social fields.