by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Dec 15, 2018 | Articles |
The launching of the Yes, We Are Winning Foundation was an event I had eagerly anticipated. The movement which began two years ago was officially launched as an NGO, thus, positioning us for a greater exploits, and wider global reach.
Amidst the tight schedule of many of our guest, they still made it to the event, and their presence was very pleasing. Gladly, they all gave credence to the initiative, and all pledged to been financially and morally committed to the vision and mission of the foundation.
Several accolades and commendations were given about what we have achieved so far, and how we have impacted many lives globally. Many of our guests expressed their pleasure in how the Yes, We Are Winning brand has grown over the years, and have become an identity for those who are self-motivated, and excellent driven.
Mrs. Eniola Eyesan, one of our advisers was full of praise for the foundation, and how the initiative has become an identity for winners. In expressing her reason for joining the foundation, she said the mission of the group is a summary of her life’s goal, and the mantra, “We Care, We Educate, We Encourage, We Empower to win”, fits perfectly with her life’s philosophy.
She pledged her unflinching support to the group, saying, she would not only be financially supportive, but would also be present at every event organized for the purpose of impacting lives. Mrs. Eniola Eyesan unveiled the new T-shirt of the YWAW foundation, and challenged many visitors to launch it for the purpose of raising funds for the NGO.
Some of our guests also spoke highly of the foundation, and testified to the positive influence it has made on the society, also pledged their moral and financial support to the group. Dr. Sam Etatuvie, our indefatigable adviser, Dr. Mrs. Elizabeth Disu, the President of Abiye Mother & Child Health International Organization was present to grace the occasion.
Others include, Deji Bademosi, TV360, Mr. Chinedu Angus, Dumetech International, Mr. David Abass, CEO David Abass International Agency, and other friends of the group to many to mention.
We were particularly honored by the presence of my mentors: My Pastor and Covener of Sent to The Vulnerable Foundation , Rev. Samson Abimbola and his lovely wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Abimbola, Rev. Rotimi Taiwo, formally Pastor, Victory Baptist Church Ajah, and the convener Sebiomo Foundation. They all expressed their pleasure for the foundation and pledged his support to the group.
Here are few of our pictures. You will find more on our facebook page.
Rev. David Adeyemo and his elegant wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Adeyemo, have been part of the group since inception. The entire family graced the occasion with their presence and pledged continued support to being part of a foundation that is established to inculcate a winning a culture.
To Mrs. Titilola Eke (Nee John) and my sweet darling, and Vice-president of YWAW foundation, Damilola Ibigbami, and my twinee , Delightsome Ibigbami, I say a very big thank you for being there from the outset, and for your unflinching support. you deserve plenty accolades.
Time won’t allow me to mention names of my friends and family who graced the occasion. A special thanks to all volunteers, and executives of the YWAW foundation, https://yeswearewinning.com/our-team/ You guys are amazing! Special thanks to our financials and partners, who have always identified with us in our needs. Hearty cheers to our friends and well-wishers who were unable to attend the launching.
We are very pleased to provide the platform for those who would be positive influence on the society and world at large. We welcome all those who, in spite of the challenges in the world, would stand secured and motivated in pursuance of excellence, whilst also spreading hope to a world that is fraught with hopelessness and despair.
Yes, We Are Winning Foundation is a Charity and human capital development Non-governmental organization established to inculcate a winning attitude that would engender self-development and national transformation through words of encouragement, motivational messages, practical life tips, insightful discussions, empowerment initiatives, social and humanitarian services. For more about us click https://yeswearewinning.com/about-us/
Join our community on the social media, including facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yeswearewinning/, Instagram: @yeswearewinning1, Twitter: @yeswearewinning, Tumblr: yeswearewinningfoundation.tumblr.com
When we say Yes, We Are Winning, we say, We Care. Educate, Encourage, Empower to win. YWAW…WeCEEEyou!
Greatmark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Nov 30, 2018 | Articles |
When someone tells you to “Get up and eat!”, ‘it means the food is prepared and ready to eat. “Get up and eat.” may also imply that the beneficiary may be fast asleep whilst the food was being prepared, or simply unaware that a meal is being prepared for him.
It may also suggest that the benefactor has been busy preparing a meal for someone who is tired and sleeping or just helpless but famished.
Sometimes, life’s challenges can hit us so hard that we become so helpless to lift ourselves up to face it. It takes a person with inner poise and a strength of character to be self- motivated in the face of severe hardship or depression.
Many people easily give in or give way to depression when confronted with seemingly hopeless situations. Some do impulsively make wrong assumptions and conclusions that it isn’t going to ever get better. Such attitude has led many to engage in despicable acts or at worst commit suicide.
Mr. Elijah was a very powerful and influential man whose words were always divinely ordered. He stood vehemently against the idolatry and injustice in the land, and was well respected for his uncompromising lifestyle.
He soon became a very powerful figure, an oracle of God, and a threat to the government of the day. He was feared, and dreaded by evil perpetrators, who neither acknowledge God or respected human rights.
King Ahab and his wife, Jezebel had a deep hatred for Mr. Elijah, and sought different avenues to get rid of him. But Elijah survived many attacks and assassination attempts, and continued to be a beacon of hope.
One would think that a powerful man who is so much feared and respected would continue to dominate the scene, and spread his positive influence on the citizens. But, for a moment, Mr. Elijah allowed himself to be wearied by moral depression, occasioned by threats from the Government.
He simply took to his heel, wishing just to die, when he got an inkling that he was going to be killed! He was downcast, and lost the strength to fight on. He gave in to the challenge, and was ready to die anyway.
He cried, “Enough is enough! God, take my life—I’m ready to die!” Amazing how a once brave man, by reason of the hardship never saw any justification to stay alive . He didn’t think life was worth living again. He never thought survival was worth the while.
Exhausted, famished and devastated, he got a call from an angel who instructed him to get up and eat because his journey of life was far from being over (1 Kings 19:3-5).
By divine intervention, Elijah got his strength back, and his motivation was rekindled. His vision was sharpened and his courage was restored. Then he stood up, ready to face life’s battle again, and empowered to face his fears.
When you are down and out, and it seems there’s no more chance to succeed, God gives you a life-line. He never fails to help the helpless who trust in Him.
Perhaps, your failed expectations have become a reoccurring decimal which have drained your mental capacity to believe in your ability to excel, I challenge you to get up and eat!
This is the time to summon up courage, rekindle your zeal and revive your hopeful expectations. Time, age, position is not a barrier. It may look so bad now, but if you can rise up from the ashes, and stretch your optimism, you can still win.
Dear friend, it is far from being over. There’s hope in your tomorrow. Get up and eat! You’ve got a long journey ahead of you. Don’t give up yet. Face your fear. Stretch yourself, push forward. Life’s beautiful!
You are winning! Yes, we are winning!
Also read: “THE PRESENT IS THE KEY TO THE PAST; BUT THE PAST IS NOT THE PRESENT.”
Greatmark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Nov 14, 2018 | Articles |
Life is good but things do fall apart! Life still offers beauty in all its ramifications, even though it sometimes presents ugly and seemingly impossible situations.
Life is a good teacher, but sometimes teaches the hard way. Trust me, it can be really rough and tough. Life is a good friend but sometimes it can be unfair and annoying. Oftentimes, things just never go the way the way you want it. Sometimes it is OK, other times, it is unbearable.
In life, things are in transit: today, you are here; the next moment you are there. In a moment, the rich becomes poor, and by a stroke of luck, the unfortunate becomes a celebrity.
Life is dual in nature: it offers one side to me, and another side to you, and many times, not the way we plan it. In one location it is cold, in another place it is warm. It is bright here, and dark there.
Nothing ever sums up in the way we like it to be. Things fall apart when the apparent center cannot hold. In life, the center doesn’t always hold, so things would always not be as expected.
Life has in its path to success, many hurdles to cross. Sometime, it can be quite easy, at other times, it would seem impossible and hopeless. Yet, life offers goodness and contentment if you have a sure connection to the true center of life, God.
Things do fall apart when the apparent center cannot hold them. The center that holds the things that gives happiness is in itself feeble. When the things that makes us happy is lost, life becomes unfriendly.
Here’s the sure thing: “GOD holds the high center, He sees and sets the world’s mess right. He decides what is right for us earthlings…GOD’s a safe-house for the battered, a sanctuary during bad times. The moment you arrive, you relax; you’re never sorry you knocked.”-Ps. 9:7-10
Life offers abundant joy, but this joy is beyond human comprehension. It is supernatural. It is divinely inspired and endowed. Life is beautiful when peace floods your soul from the river of life.
When things fall apart, don’t lose your heart. It just means they are about to be put back together in a new and better way. When everything seems like it is falling apart, that is when God is putting things together just the way HE wants it.
So, keep calm; don’t be afraid, God is at work to put your center together again. When things fall apart, don’t fall! Be strong!
You’re winning! Yes, we are winning!
Find out how to live a raidiant life below:
https://yeswearewinning.com/2018/01/11/heres-one-sure-way-to-live-a-radiant-life/
GreatMark
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 18, 2018 | Articles |
The YWAW foundation in collaboration with the an Alumni of The Our Lady of Apostle Secondary School (OLASS 1986/1987 set), Yaba, organized an advocacy forum to mark the International Day of the Girl Child.
The 1986/1987 Alumni of the school, headed by princess Adeola Ogunlewe, provided us a platform to educate the Girls on the need to be empowered with skills that would guarantee their future.
October 11 has been observed as the Day of The Girl Child since 2012. The day aims to highlight and address the needs and challenges girls face, while promoting girls’ empowerment and the fulfillment of their human rights. The Theme of the 2018 edition is WITH HER: A SKILLED GIRLFORCE.
The focus of the 6th international Day of the Girl child is to work alongside all girls to expand existing learning opportunities, chart new pathways and calling on the global community to rethink how to prepare them for a successful transition into the world of work.
Furthermore, it is expected that the theme of the International Day of the Girl child will mark the beginning of a year-long effort to bring together partners and stakeholders to advocate for, and draw attention and investments to, the most pressing needs and opportunities for girls to attain skills for employability.
Our Projector consultant, Babs Afonriwo, was very articulate as he anchored the advocacy forum, and our amiable and eloquent speaker, Abimbola Ololade Abimbola spurred the over 800 students of OLASS to greatness. The positive impact of the panel discussion was visibly seen on the Girls as they ask severally related questions and sought counseling and Guardians from the YWAW team and the Alumni.
“On this International Day of the Girl, let us recommit to supporting every girl to develop her skills, enter the workforce on equal terms and reach her full potential.” — UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Enjoy the pictures…
#YesWeAreWinning #Unitednations #SDGs #girlchild #School #Empowerthegirlsa
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 17, 2018 | Articles |
I can’t but wonder what would be the implication of the Boko Haram’s statement about Leah Sharibu becoming their slave. They speak with so much authority forgetting that they are mere grasshoppers before the creator.
Today’s post from OpenDoors is especially disturbing. Perhaps, because it is a reality I can closely relate with. It is the news about Leah Sharibu, the abducted Christian Chibok school girl and other aid workers whom the Boko Haram have announced that they would keep as slaves.
This was contained in a recent video released after one of the abducted aid worker, Hauwa Liman was executed, having being kept in captivity since March 2018. It’s ridiculous and saddening how this evil genius would continue to perpetuate their wickedness with no iota of fear for God or respect for human life.
As I think about what seemed like a hopeless situation, the miraculous escape of Apostle Peter from the prison in Acts 12 gives me some respite and assurance that indeed God is at work and He’s able to deliver these helpless captives in a way that seemed humanly impossible.
These blood thirsty grasshoppers bragging about their control of precious human lives, and assuming the place of God shall soon be as dust before the wind, and their end shall be worst than their beginning! Let’s keep hope alive and pray for all the captives.
Beyond, the rescue efforts of our Government, God is more than able to deliver them. He certainly has a plan, and it will ripen up faster than they think.
We are winning! Yes, we are winning
Read more about this story below:
https://www.opendoorsusa.org/christian-persecution/stories/boko-haram-sect-vows-to-keep-leah-sharibu-slave-for-life/
Boko Haram Sect: ‘From today, Leah Sharibu will be our slave.’
We are reporting difficult news today.
One month to the day since releasing a video of an execution of a kidnapped aid worker and threatening to kill three other hostages, including 15-year-old Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, militants have released another video.
In it, the Boko Haram faction, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), executes a second aid worker and issues a threat to keep Leah and the third kidnapped aid worker, Alice Ngaddah, as “slaves for life.”
ISWAP fighters had specific words for Leah and Alice, also a Christian. Click the link below to read the full story and find 10 specific prayer points. |
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| I know this seems like a hopeless situation. We share this news to help you understand what young Christian girls and women in Nigeria face, as well as to help you connect deeply with your persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. And, most important, to ask you to fervently and urgently pray, invoking our most powerful weapon against the darkness.
Open Doors has worked in Nigeria for many years, partnering with churches there to offer support for persecuted believers like the Sharibus. As part of the global Open Doors community, we can continue to join our hearts and voices together through our prayers.
You can even participate in the prayers of hundreds of Christians who are also praying for Leah and her family on our Prayer Wall. |
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| And finally, we can learn from and follow the example of Leah’s mother, Rebecca Sharibu, who continues to plead, “Please don’t give up hope. Please continue to lift up Leah and our family. Please continue to stand with us.”
Thank you for standing…
Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! (Ephesians 3: 20-21) |
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Best,
Lindy Lowry,
Open Doors Weekly editor |
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For more stories on Hauwa Liman, click https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/oct/16/nigeria-islamist-militants-kill-aid-worker-red-cross-after-deadline-expires
by Mark Ibigbami GreatMark | Oct 1, 2018 | Articles |
Every October 1st marks the independence of Nigeria, but not many Nigerians really get excited about it perhaps because of the growing harsh economic situations and the failure of the Government to meet the basic needs of the citizens.
In reality, waiting to hear the President’s Independence Day speech is the least of the worries of many Nigerians who thinks that the Government has not only politicized people’s overall welfare but have made so many empty promises and as such have disappointed the expectations of many.
Since I became knowledgeable about the state of the nation, I have seen that every independence day celebrations always reminiscence the “Good old days”, with regrets about the past; how things have degenerated so much despite the hope and faith that Nigerians continues to have in the future of a greater country.
An average Nigerian has lost hope in the promise of a better nation since for more than fifty years instead of celebrating developments and progresses, things have rather worsened. I’m not saying there hasn’t been developments in some areas of the country but the truth is our progress isn’t commensurate with our age.
There are more individual prosperities than the prosperity of the entity called Nigeria. Many leaders and citizens have invested in their own welfare more than working for the interest of the nation. This is not so in developed nations. Political powers, economic growth are been concentrated in certain areas to satisfy personal, ethnic or tribal interests instead of national interest.
The Nigerian flag symbolizes a prosperous and peaceful nation inhabited by people of diverse culture and ethnicity but who are united by a common interest. The national colors indicates a nation whose land is wealthy and it’s people live in affluence and peaceful coexistence.
The flag of Nigeria which was designed in 1959 and first officially hoisted on 1 October 1960 has three vertical bands of green, white, green. The two green stripes represent Nigeria’s natural wealth, while the white band represents peace.
Contrary to what the national colors represents, Nigerians, in spite of the abundant natural resources have since independence continued to suffer from corrupt and self-serving leaders. Our situation is such that we live in the orchard yet we eat sour grapes. We have so much natural resources yet majority of the citizens live like paupers while the wealth is been boarded by a privileged few.
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