Welcome to the August Edition of the Murtala Muhammed Foundation Newsletter
Join us in reflecting on these uplifting actions and looking forward to the impactful journeys ahead!
MMF COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
Women in Business Mentorship Programme
MMF received amazing testimonials from its nominated mentees for the Cherie Blair Mentorship Programme, reflecting the impactful experiences of participants from both the November 2023 and May 2024 intakes. These testimonials highlight the value of mentorship in advancing their professional growth and contributing to their overall success.
In addition, MMF participated in the partnership networking meeting sponsored by the Cherie Blair Foundation and partners across Africa, driven by insights from our Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team.
This meeting focused on:
- Revamping the application and onboarding system.
- Modifying the two-way comprehensive feedback process.
- Enhancing communication strategies to foster sustainable relationships with mentees, mentors, and partners.
These efforts underscore the programme’s commitment to empowering women by equipping them with the skills needed to enhance their financial capabilities and contribute to national economic growth.
Internship Programme Highlights
This year, we had the priviledge of working with three outstanding interns—two from Harvard’s Center for International Development (CID) and one from Babcock University—whose contributions have greatly advanced our mission at MMF.
- Disha Ganjegunte (Harvard CID) has been focusing on, producing a comprehensive document that will support ongoing and future initiatives, and has been developing research-based effectiveness and impact assessment frameworks
- Ayesha Islam (Harvard CID) has been working on the Education Impact Project, specifically reviewing the Education Scholarship Program for Chibok, helping to strengthen our educational efforts.
- Chizelum Okolue (Babcock University) contributed by gathering testimonials for the Cherie Blair Mentorship Programme for Women, offering insights that will enhance our mentorship initiatives.
Their work has significantly supported our efforts to empower women, promote education, and drive sustainable growth.
Community Engagements and Advocacy
Visit to Treasure of Love Orphanage, Ketu
The MMF team visited Treasures of Love Orphanage in Ketu to review the impact of its ongoing support. The orphanage provides specialized care for children with physical challenges and organ malfunctions. MMF’s contributions, including educational scholarships and medical assistance, were acknowledged with gratitude. The orphanage also highlighted its major challenge of paying an annual license fee of 700,000 Naira, hoping for government intervention. Despite this, the orphanage remains committed to supporting its children.
Makoko Community Visit
On August 28, 2024, MMF representatives visited the Makoko community to provide international interns, Disha and Ayesha, with firsthand experience of life in a grassroots community. The team, guided by a Teach for Nigeria Fellow, visited the Makoko Child Development Foundation. The team navigated Makoko by canoe, observing its water-based commerce and unique living conditions. At the Makoko Child Development Foundation, the head of the school discussed challenges such as funding for canoes and uniforms, and reliance on volunteer teachers.
The local hospital, which treats common ailments, was also visited. It faces challenges due to a lack of essential equipment.
Visit to CAIN Foundation, Alimosho
MMF visited the CAIN Foundation in Alimosho to interact with students and learn more about its initiatives. The interns, Disha and Chizelum, led an engaging session with the students, sharing their educational journeys and offering advice. The foundation presented an overview of its mission, and the students expressed their curiosity by asking many insightful questions. The visit ended with a tour of the facilities and a recognition ceremony, where Disha was presented with a CAIN Foundation shirt.
Tourist and Cultural Activities for Interns
National Museum and Kokopelli Art Gallery Visit
As part of their cultural immersion, MMF interns visited the National Museum Onikan and the Kokopelli Art Gallery. These visits provided them with an in-depth understanding of Nigeria’s rich history and vibrant art scene. The museum offered a historical perspective, while the gallery showcased contemporary African art, sparking deep conversations among the interns about Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Lekki Art and Craft Market and Joy of Africa Music Concert
To further enrich their experience, the interns explored the Lekki Art and Craft Market, where they were fascinated by traditional crafts, including tie and dye, Ankara materials, and beaded jewellery. The day culminated in attending the Joy of Africa Music Concert at Freedom Park, where they enjoyed performances of traditional music from South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, etc.
Special Visits
The team also explored Abuja’s cultural heritage at Ushafa Pottery Village, with Disha having the opportunity to craft her earthen pot. They visited MMF’s sister company, Asset Management Group (AMG), and toured the MMF Research Center, learning about its development projects.
Additionally, the team had a memorable lunch with Mrs. Ajoke Muhammed, MMF’s Vice Chairman, at her Palmetum. They also visited notable landmarks such as the National Mosque, Jabi Lake Mall, and Jabi Arts and Craft Village.
This visit enriched the team’s understanding of community challenges and reinforced MMF’s commitment to empowering underserved communities.
Visit to Bell University of Technology
National Museum and Kokopelli Art Gallery Visit
The highlight of the visit was a dynamic Q&A session, where the interns asked questions about Chief Obasanjo’s life, leadership journey, and thoughts on Nigeria’s current situation. The former President shared details about his late start in education and his remarkable achievement of earning a Ph.D. at the age of 80. He also discussed his leadership experiences as President and provided his views on pressing national issues, such as the economy, education, and security.
The visit concluded with the presentation of souvenirs from Bells University as a token of appreciation, marking the end of an informative and inspiring day.
STORY OF THE MONTH
31 Years After – The Fight for Victims’ Rights
As we move through September, our commitment to empowering communities, advocating for justice, and improving the lives of women and marginalized groups across Nigeria remains as strong as ever. We extend our gratitude to our partners, interns, and team members for their dedication, and we look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts in the coming months.
Dr Aisha Muhammed-Oyebode, CEO of MMF, highlighted the importance of this bill in her statement on the anniversary. She emphasised the foundation’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for victims and called for urgent legislative action to prevent future injustices. The bill’s advancement represents a broader call for justice, accountability, and human rights protection in Nigeria, a cause central to MMF’s mission.
MMF COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
MMF's Back-to-School Donation Drive
As the new school year begins, the Murtala Muhammed Foundation (MMF) is actively preparing to support our scholarship beneficiaries and other students in marginalized communities. Education remains a cornerstone of our mission, and we believe that every child deserves the tools they need to succeed.
To ensure these students start the year equipped and confident, MMF is launching its annual Back-to-School Donation Drive. This initiative aims to provide essential school supplies—such as textbooks, notebooks, uniforms, and stationery—to those who need them most.
We invite you to join us in making a difference by donating to this cause. Your contributions, no matter the size, will directly impact the lives of young students, empowering them to pursue their education without the burden of inadequate resources.
How You Can Donate
Visit our website to make a secure online or offline donation.
If you prefer to donate school supplies directly, please contact our team (admin@mmf.org; Olabisi_SeniorProgrammeCoordinator@mmfng.org) to arrange a drop-off or pick-up.
Together, we can ensure that these students walk into their classrooms with confidence, ready to learn and grow. Let’s give them the tools they need to build a brighter future.
Dear readers, Stay tuned for more updates and inspiring stories of impact from MMF as we strive towards our shared goals of positive change and empowerment. Thank you for your continued support of MMF and the communities we serve.
