As part of efforts to alleviate the conditions of widows, single mothers and struggling women in the nation, a non-governmental organization, Ivory Whetstones and Mentors Foundation is set to hold a fundraising charity comedy show to raise money to empower and restore hope to needy women in the country.
The comedy show tagged: The Red Moment, Restoring Everything Damaged, is scheduled to hold at the SEE Event Centre, Leawood Hotel, Oko-Ado, Lekki, Lagos on April 30.
Comedians slated to perform at the event include DJ Bobby, Owen Gee, Lepacious Bose, Koffi, CeeY, DVD, De Oracle, Eboh Bomb and Aboki.
According to the Founder and Director of the Foundation, Dr. Lawretta Ogrih, from the proceeds of the show, 50 women are to be trained and empowered with life’s and business skills to enable them take care of their children, so that they do not end up constituting a menace to the society tomorrow.
Speaking on the selecting process, Ogrih stated that the foundation usually accept recommendations about needy individuals from churches and, on the strength of such endorsements, put these individuals on a waiting list of those slated for empowerment.
She said: “ There are some churches that can not adequately fund them and these women have been committed to the church. But we screen them to see who actually have needs for what we are giving them, because it is a lot.”
The director noted that as part of their empowerment programme, they trained the beneficiaries for a week for what particular skills they need, mentor them and follow up on their progress to see that they are actually applying such skills, making income and getting better.
Speaking on the decision to use comedy for the charity event, Ogrih said the economic situation in the country has led to depression for many people, therefore, the foundation wants Nigerians to laugh, relax and unwind.
She said: “We are looking at lightening their mood. We want them to laugh away their stress and relax. There will be a lot of music in the house aside the comedy. That is why it was slated for the Workers’ Day weekend, because the next day is work -free”.
She also revealed that they are trying to get workers, business individuals and the public generally to support the cause by getting tickets to the show.”
Appealing to well meaning individuals to buy tickets, the director said that such action would impact on a beneficiary.
“That same tickets they bought will be impacting a woman out there, a struggling woman, a single parent, a widow,” she said.
Ogrih revealed that as part of the foundation objectives to give back to the society, lucky participants stand to win a return ticket to Dubai, an all expense-paid night at the prestigious Leawood Hotel, Lekki and a head to toe wellness hamper.
The director also revealed that the foundation has done empowerment in the past without the comedy angle.
“For me, it is a need to lend a helping hand and give to people,” she said.
