In a fast-paced world grappling with economic crisis, natural disasters and general insecurity, many often get caught up in the struggle for survival and overlook the displaced and abandoned for whom the prospects of tomorrow are dim. August 19, 2016 was different. The world found its human side and reached out to the abandoned by collectively marking the World Humanitarian Day.
The Le Zenera Group joined the train. The Group, comprising Zenera Consulting and its sister company CSR-in-Action, keyed into this vision as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives in partnership with the Foundation for Moral and Value Reorientation. In the space of several hours, it put smiles on the faces of displaced youths within the Jakande community in Lekki, Lagos with a football tournament that did not only engage them but also rekindled their hopes for a better tomorrow.
Tagged ‘Play4Humanity’, the football tournament held at the X-ite Fun Park, Jakande Ilasan, Lekki, where two teenage teams put their dexterity and footwork to good use as they slugged it out to win the coveted trophy donated by the Zenera Group.
The programme proceeded with motivational addresses and engagements of the youths by Dr. Seyi Adebayo (President, Foundation for Moral and Value Reorientation), Meka Olowola (Managing Partner at Zenera Consulting) and Ms Bekeme Masade of CSR-in- Action. Thereafter the youths, attired as two sides representing Team Zenera and Team CSR-in-Action, filed out to warm handshakes by the speakers prior to kick-off of the much anticipated football match. Staff from Zenera Consulting and CSR-in-Action cheered their respective teams during the novelty match which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Other events at the well-received initiative to support the youths included sessions on reorientation and interactions, presentation of gift items and light refreshments. In his remarks, the Managing Partner of Zenera Consulting, Meka Olowola, encouraged the youths to look beyond their current challenges and envision who they could be by believing in themselves, developing their talents, embracing the right attitude and keeping positive dreams alive.
He said: ‘’Deliberately choose to believe. Intentionally focus on the positives that could yet be despite where you are today. Look inwards. Discover your gifts. Your roads may be rough today, but sometimes the answers that humanity craves will be found in the unlikeliest of places. You can be that solution. I see hope.
‘’I do not merely see who you are today but I prefer to see who you can be. I want you to do same. Believe in yourself. Life itself is transient and no condition can ever be permanent. Believe the best of tomorrow. As we join the rest of the world to commemorate the World Humanitarian Day through our little effort to supporting you and enjoining the rest of the country to the same, we still want you to do something more powerful. Look inwards to the potential within you. Yours eyes may be wet today, but this too shall pass.’’
The obvious encouragements and happiness on the faces of the youths at sharing the day with the guest participants awoke reflections on the resilience of humanity, our connectedness and the eternal spring of hope with perspectives on a deeper meaning of living.
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