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In an exciting award ceremony held on the 15th of March, 2018 at the Morgan Smart Development Foundation Women and Youth Empowerment Resource Centre Warri, the foundation held her 8thannual scholarship award ceremony under its education assistance scheme. 20 indigent but intelligent children selected from secondary schools in Delta state were awarded scholarship, the awardees include 13 girls and 7 boys. Inthe opening remarks made by Mrs Evelyn .U. Ideh, the educational program’s consultant, she explained the selection process of picking the awardees; to involve; the written exams and oral interview, followed by home visitations to verify the location of where the children live and the general outlook of the house, the financial status of parents and their attitudes are scrutinized. All these steps form the criteria for choosing an awardee. She also revealed that the foundation added more girls to the program because of the presidents’ passion for girls child education With the granting of awards to 20 new beneficiaries, the foundation has over the past 8 years successfully supported about 138 students through its educational assistance scheme, while expressing her joy and sense of fulfilment at this achievement, Dr. Omawumi Evelyn AtsiangbeUrhobo, President /CEO MSDF, declared that the foundation has increased its target to 500 students, encouraging friends and well-wishers to donate and support the foundation in this scheme; explaining that it costs N25,000 to sponsor a child every year.She went on congratulated the new awardees and advised them to never stop learning and take their studies seriously as education will give them the opportunity to be whatever they want to be in life. The chairman of the occasion Mrs. FejiroUgute( MD, Coastline Micro Finance Bank, Warri), lauded MSDF for her noble efforts at giving hope and opportunity to the children over the years; she added that the UN made a declaration that has a right to quality education. She charged the stakeholders, partners, friends of the Foundation present to contribute to the Scholarship scheme; she pledged to personally sponsor five children through the scholarship. The Delta State Commissioner of education, Hon. ChineduEbie, Represented by Mr D.A. Onokpa (Permanent secretary Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education Asaba, Delta state) in his speech noted that,“education is the key to life”, he declared that he was particularly impressed by the selection process and thanked the Presided of the Foundation for being broad-minded and not allowing ethnicity to becloud her sense of judgement, he congratulated the new awardees and encouraged them to take their studies seriously and be focused High points of the occasion included the presentation of the award letters and the customary scholarship kit (new set of school uniforms, school bags, school shoes, notebooks, textbooks) to the newly awarded beneficiaries

March 8 marks the International Women’s Day, a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women.The Morgan Smart Development Foundation once again joined women all over World, particularly in Nigeria to commemorate the 2018 International Women’s Day with the UN theme “Press for Progress” in Warri, Delta State on 8th&9thMarch, 2018. This year’s theme, “Press for Progress” marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity; and provides an opportunity to celebrate remarkable women who are working relentlessly to claim women’s rights and realize their full potential. The foundation’s 2018 celebrations kicked off on the 8th of March with an “Exhibition Fare” organized in collaboration with the“Delta Association Of Chambers Of Commerce”to showcase the goods and services of women entrepreneurs, while exposing them to potential markets and offering opportunities to network, and a lecture on “Combatting Domestic And Gender Based Violence” By Bridget AffiahOf Ideal Women Advancement Initiative; the day’s events also include “Free Medical Screening for High Blood Pressure and Hypertension, Diabetics, Health Counselling conducted by Capitol Hill Clinic\Hospitals, Warri”; “Free Eye Examination conducted by Salvation Eye Services”, Warri and a Bazaar Sales of clothes at giveaway prices On the 9thof March, the celebrations continued with thought-provoking presentations and interactive sessions led by inspirational women, leaders in their field, women changing the world, the discussions centered around contemporary issues affecting women, such as the “Press For Progress” theme, and a documentary presentation on “The Plight Of Women In The Niger Delta”. Each year, the Foundation invites exceptional women to inspire and share their own personal message with other women about their career path and how they have been able to succeed in their fields despite the challenges faced just by being a woman, notable women at this year’s event, include Prof. Mary Olire Edema, Provost College of Education, Warri,(represented by Mrs. Hope Salami, Director of Linkages and Gender Studies, COE, Warri) as Keynote Address speaker, HRM Obi Martha Dunkwu, OmuOkpanam and OmuAnioma, as Chairman of the occasion, Olori Mary Emiko , the Wife of the Olu of Warri as the “Royal Mother”of the day, Representative of the Delta State Commissioner for women’s affair, Mrs. Patricia Gbemudu, Delta State President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Mrs. Patricia Idiakoha, Delta Association Of Chambers Of Commerce, Mrs. FejiroUgute, MD Coastline Micro Finance Bank, amongst other notable personalities In her opening remarks, President\CEO of Morgan Smart Development Foundation, Dr. Omawumi Evelyn AtsiangbeUrhobo, reminded the women that the IWD is a day set aside by the UN to appraise how far women have gone in the bid for equity and charged the women to continue to press for progress, regardless of the social, cultural and religious limitations; the call for gender parity should continue to be pursued vigorously. The representative of the Commissioner for women affairs applauded the foundation for their commitment to women empowerment and went on to promise future partnership and collaboration with the ministry for subsequent IWDcelebrations. In her keynote address, Prof. Edema highlighted some challenges facing the Nigerian women, as discovered by research to include; discrimination, cultural limitations, literacy level, exploitation, politics, crises, and loss of family values and went on to recommend solutions to these problems. The chairman of the occasion, Obi Martha Dunkwu (OmuOkpanam and OmuAnioma), in her address, advised women who have made it to the top to make themselves available as mentors to other women, sharing experience and information, as information is power, she also re-echoed previous speakers by appealing to women to support women in politics, so that they can feel a sense of belonging. The occasion was also used to empower about 20 Women, who are going to be sponsored for 3 months mentorship/Apprenticeship training on specific trades/skills. About 200 women participated in the two days event holding at the Morgan Smart Women and Youths Empowerment Resource Centre at 23, Oki Street, off Okere Road, Okere Warri.

A one-day sensitization workshop was hosted by Morgan Smart Development Foundation (MSDF) in Collaboration with the Niger Delta Biodiversity Programme (NDBP) a UNDP Funded Programme. This was the first Phase of the entire Programme as it was followed by two (2) weeks training on the Sustainable Utilization of Water hyacinth for 20 selected youths from various communities which include Okere, Ugbuwangue, Ogunu, Ubeji, Ogidigben, Esaba, and Ikperen all in Delta State The aim of the sensitization workshop was to introduce the trainees to Sustainable ways of utilizing and management of Water Hyacinth. The training workshop that lasted for 10days was held for 20 selected youths and was facilitated by a CNN Award winner Ms Idachaba Achenyo of MITIMEIT. At the end of the training, the youths were able to produce various household items like ropes, table mats, flower pots, keyholders, hats, footwear all made from water hyacinth. The participants were issued with certificates that certified them to be trainers in the usage of Water Hyacinth.

The Morgan Smart Development Foundation. as a technical adviser to Chevron on its GMoU with its impacted communities of the Itsekiri Regional Development Council (RDC) Delta State and the Ilaje Regional Development Council(IRDC) in Ondo State carried out its various communities in the 2 RDCs during the year. MSDF made a technical presentation at the CEMB retreat organized by chevron and PPCD on the 29th September, 2017 in Asaba on “GMoU + SHIFTING FOCUS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT IN THE NIGER DELTA”. This presentation was based on the experience of the Foundation in its work in the Niger Delta which was well received by the Retreat.

The MSDF participated in the 2nd National Council on the Niger Delta meeting hosted by the Ministry of the Niger Delta Affairs and Ondo State Government from the 12th to 18th September 2017 in Akure, Ondo State. The Morgan Smart Foundation as a Member of the National Council on the Niger Delta representing the civil societies participated in the technical session of the council meeting where she successfully advocated for the economic and social empowerment for Niger Delta women with the presentation made to the technical session. The presentation was on “The plight of the Women of the Niger Delta and proposed intervention strategies for redressing their pitiable situation for poverty alleviation and sustainable development of the region. This presentation was accepted by the technical session and recommended to the National Council on the Niger Delta Region as “The plight of the Women of the Niger Delta Region and the need for urgent economic inclusiveness of the women in the Development process. The Technical Session made 3 (three) recommendation to the Council which were Approved by the Council. Setting up of a Special Economic Empowerment Fund with special favorable terms and conditions for women living in the riverine communities to facilitate access to special grants/loans aimed at uplifting their socio-economic conditions. Sourcing and Deploying suitable local technologies for enhancing efficiency in their business and trade. Council’s collaboration and building of synergy and partnership with NGOs and CBOs working in the region for development of women’s social economic activities in the Niger Delta Region. This is considered a highlight achievement by the Morgan Smart Development Foundation in its advocacy work in the Niger Delta over the last 15 years.

Under its capacity building/leadership training program, the MSDF organized a 3 days “Business Management / Income Generation Workshop” from Monday 12th– Wednesday 14th June 2017, for 30 members of the “MSDF Women Economic Empowerment Network”; comprising women from urban, rural and riverine communities in the Niger Delta. The Theme of the training was “WOMEN POSITION YOURSELVES TO WIN”. The workshop was specifically designed to build the capacities of the women with business interest, by empowering them to effectively run their businesses, enhanced their self-reliance and improved on their livelihood systems. The workshop was also to enable them to acquire new and advanced skills which will enable them to engender change in their communities and by extension the larger society. The workshop was funded by the Foundation

As part of Morgan Smart Development Foundation’s strategy to kick-start the “NIGER DELTA YOUTHS REORIENTATION AND EMPOWERMENT INITIATIVE”, which the Foundation has earlier inaugurated, the Foundation organized a Youth Orientation Workshop (YOW) on the 20th of May, 2017 a first step towards the development of Youths under the initiative. The Foundation had as Participants, over 40 youths from various communities within the Niger Delta. Experienced, Facilitators and Speakers were invited to facilitate at the training workshop. The program was sponsored by the Foundation.

The MSDF annual scholarship award ceremony to indigent but intelligent students was held on the 17th of March 2017 at the Morgan Smart Development Foundation Resource center for Women and Youths. For the 2016\ 2017 academic session, Seventeen (17) students (9 junior secondary and 8 senior secondary school students) from public schools were awarded 6 and 3 years scholarship respectively. The scholarship package includes; Textbooks, Notebooks, School Uniforms, School Bags, School Shoes and other school levies, for the duration of their stay in school. The Foundation has so far sponsored 121 intelligent students from poor homes through secondary school, and still renders occasional financial support to her ex-scholars in tertiary institutions and also financial assistance to the parents to enable them meet their responsibilities towards the children. The scholarship is funded from the MSDF scholarship fund endowed by the Foundation with contributions from friends of the Foundation.

The MSDF Women Empowerment Network was formally inaugurated as part of the Foundation’s International Women’s day celebration. The goal of the Network, is to create a platform for the average women in the Niger Delta to meet and network for effective advocacy for the improvement of their economic and social status. Members of the network are basically women who have directly or indirectly benefited from the various leadership training, skill acquisition, and income generation programs of the foundation over the last 15 years. New members without previous engagement with MSDF are also encouraged to join the network

Morgan Smart Development Foundation joined the rest of the world in celebrating the “International Women’s Day” on March 8, by rolling out its celebration drums to honor the unique women of the Niger Delta With the UN theme “BE BOLD FOR CHANGE”. The IWD was dedicated to extolling the strength of the Niger Delta women, while calling attention to the prevalent conspiracy of silence against the plight of women, gender inequality and bias that the women face daily in the Region. Over 200 women gathered to celebrate the resilient and hard-working women of the Niger Delta. The occasion was also used to empower about 50 (Fifty) rural women from Delta, Edo and Ondo States; with N15, 000 seed grant each, to purchase fish to smoke with “The Improved Chorkor Fish Smoking Ovens and Banda Houses” earlier provided to them by the Foundation in partnership with the French Embassy and Chevron International. The program was funded with donations from friends of the Foundation.

The Morgan Smart Development Foundation in pursuance of its dream to build a synergy of women in Development in the Niger Delta held an inaugural meeting of over 30 women representing various NGOs working in the Niger Delta to create a platform for women to dialogue on actions to be taken to foster economic social and political empowerment of all women in the Niger Delta. Still in its formation stage, the framework for the functioning of the Niger Delta Women Dialogue is being developed for a formal inauguration to take place in 2018.