A non-governmental organisation, Connak Foundation has announced the postponement of its its 10th Anniversary/Annual Yuletide events, a development that follows an executive session held on Sunday, 30th October 2022, where the board of Connak Foundation, after extensive deliberations took the decision.

The organisation cited the current political atmosphere in Nigeria as reason for shifting the date of this event, noting that it does not want to be seen as supporting a particular particular party as a non-partisan organisation.

“We take this decision out of an abundance of caution, in cognizance of the political climate and peculiarity of the season at this time in our dear country Nigeria. As a non-partisan non-governmental organization, our events are open to all persons irrespective of age, creed, or affiliation and we do not want any of our events to be misrepresented or misconstrued as being in alliance with any group or used as a platform to promote or propagate other interests”, Mrs. Carole Emeka Sunday, the CEO, Connak Foundation said in a statement on Friday.

It also regrets inconveniences caused to beneficiaries and sponsors, appealing for their understanding in this regard.

“We understand that this change may cause great inconvenience for our beneficiaries’, partners and sponsors, stakeholders and well-meaning individuals who have confirmed their travel plans/schedules to attend the annual yuletide activities of the Foundation. We regret the inconvenience that may arise from rescheduling your plans within short notice.”

It also highlighted some of its achievements since the beginning of the year.

“At the beginning of the year, the foundation rolled out several empowerment initiatives targeted at the youths, to create life-changing opportunities and cause sustainable development in our communities. These initiatives were kickstarted at the foundation’s annual retreat program held at Abuja in February 2022. Following the retreat, we commenced the 9-month ICT Training program for 200 beneficiaries, at our facilities in Umuahia and Aba, respectively. The ICT trainees were scheduled to graduate during the 10th Founder’s Day Celebration in December 2022.

“In April 2022, Connak Foundation was officially launched in Lagos with the commissioning of a flagship borehole project at Imaba – Igando community in Alimosho LGA of Lagos state, followed by a media briefing event with the Press and a Fundraiser dinner to unveil our proposed anniversary project – a Community Hospital in Afugiri, Abia State.

“With the support of grant received from Jackson Family Foundation in the United States, and donations raised at the Lagos unveiling event, the construction of the community hospital is in full swing with steady progress. The site commissioning would have been done as part of our end-of-year activities.

“Next up was Connak Foundation Entrepreneurship Initiative (CoFEI) program, with an estimated 10,000 participants enrolled into the 12weeks online training and 350 trainees at the bootcamps across 3 locations – Umuahia, Lagos and Abuja. Grants presentation to successful businesses, earlier scheduled to take place during the Founder’s Day event, has been rescheduled and a new date would be communicated in due time.

“Also noteworthy is the roll-out of the Stay-in-School Program in FCT, where we awarded full scholarship to 100 students in public Junior Secondary schools. These, in addition to the 180 scholarship students in Abia state, both at secondary and tertiary education levels, brings to total of 280 beneficiaries enrolled in school through our educational development initiatives.

“Our annual free medical outreach could not hold this year because our partners from the USA, FaithCare Inc, were unable to travel due to consulate advisory and restrictions bordering on security concerns.”