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| Kids share pose with Hajia Fatee at the event |
the Ifako-Ijaiye local government
area of Lagos State and its environs, the recent Children’s Day celebration was one that they will never forget in a
hurry. That is because, they had the opportunity to attend a high class
children’s day party the type that is usually seen at upper class high brow
residential areas of the state.
The very excited
children were well coordinated and chosen from different parts of the local
government area. And these were all courtesy of Hajia Fateema Mohammed’s
Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation (FAM). Hajia Fatee as fondly
addressed is a PDP stalwart and philanthropist in the area. The
very pretty and humane Hajia Fateema believes in palliating
the sufferings of people in the society hence the need to organize the event
for children of her constituency, Ifako-Ijaiye.
According to her, she started out with empowerment and now she is extending
love to children.
children were well coordinated and chosen from different parts of the local
government area. And these were all courtesy of Hajia Fateema Mohammed’s
Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation (FAM). Hajia Fatee as fondly
addressed is a PDP stalwart and philanthropist in the area. The
very pretty and humane Hajia Fateema believes in palliating
the sufferings of people in the society hence the need to organize the event
for children of her constituency, Ifako-Ijaiye.
According to her, she started out with empowerment and now she is extending
love to children.
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| A cross section of mothers who brought their children to the event |
At the party
which held at Sidos Events Center on Agbe Road, Abule-Egba, stalwarts
from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) equally joined Hajiya
Fatee to felicitate with the children. There were lots to eat and drink
and also many play pens such as bouncy castles and other comic acts were there
to give the hundreds of children an atmosphere of merriment. A dancing and quiz competition was also
organized for kids where some exceptional minds among the children were given
prizes and applauded for their rare intelligence.
which held at Sidos Events Center on Agbe Road, Abule-Egba, stalwarts
from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) equally joined Hajiya
Fatee to felicitate with the children. There were lots to eat and drink
and also many play pens such as bouncy castles and other comic acts were there
to give the hundreds of children an atmosphere of merriment. A dancing and quiz competition was also
organized for kids where some exceptional minds among the children were given
prizes and applauded for their rare intelligence.
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| The FAM Executives with their Founder & CEO, Hajia Fateema Aduke Mohammed |
The foundation
received lots of accolades from parents and guardians who brought their kids
for the event. Some of the Parents who spoke to Asabeafrika said the
event was a social merry tonic that is worthy of appreciation. Mrs.
Gbadamosi, one of the mothers who brought her two kids for the event
has this to say “I think Hajia Fateema
has shown us how to be a humane politician. What she actually did is what
government or the local government should have done to show empathy with the
people at this time but you can imagine, one single woman did that with her
foundation, I think she deserves a kudos and for that, we only pray that she
God will place her in a better place to be able to do more”.
received lots of accolades from parents and guardians who brought their kids
for the event. Some of the Parents who spoke to Asabeafrika said the
event was a social merry tonic that is worthy of appreciation. Mrs.
Gbadamosi, one of the mothers who brought her two kids for the event
has this to say “I think Hajia Fateema
has shown us how to be a humane politician. What she actually did is what
government or the local government should have done to show empathy with the
people at this time but you can imagine, one single woman did that with her
foundation, I think she deserves a kudos and for that, we only pray that she
God will place her in a better place to be able to do more”.
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| Hajia Fatee with her kids |
On her part, another resident, Iya
Lekan said she was happy to have attended with her kids “When I woke up this morning I didn’t know where to take my kids
to but I was told by a neighbor that this event is going to take place. Our
street is three streets away from here. So, reluctantly, I brought my children
here and as it turned out, one of them won a fabulous gift. I have never seen
Hajiya Fateema before but I have heard a bit about her good gesture in
Ifako-Ijaiye and today, meeting her face-to-face, I think Nigeria is lucky to
have few good people like her around”
Lekan said she was happy to have attended with her kids “When I woke up this morning I didn’t know where to take my kids
to but I was told by a neighbor that this event is going to take place. Our
street is three streets away from here. So, reluctantly, I brought my children
here and as it turned out, one of them won a fabulous gift. I have never seen
Hajiya Fateema before but I have heard a bit about her good gesture in
Ifako-Ijaiye and today, meeting her face-to-face, I think Nigeria is lucky to
have few good people like her around”
Speaking with Asabeafrika
after the six hours event, the founder of Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation
(FAM) Hajia Fateema Mohammed said the event is going to be a yearly
routine as the outcome of the maiden edition gave her much joy to continue. She
spoke with this blog in a more detailed exposure. Enjoy the excerpts.
after the six hours event, the founder of Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation
(FAM) Hajia Fateema Mohammed said the event is going to be a yearly
routine as the outcome of the maiden edition gave her much joy to continue. She
spoke with this blog in a more detailed exposure. Enjoy the excerpts.
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| Hajia Fatee to Asabeafrika…’My mother taught me how to be kind to people’ |
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| Hajiya Fateema Aduke Mohammed welcoming guests to the maiden edition of the FAM Children Day Celebration |
Why I joined Politics—Hajia Fatee
Many of the
Parents who spoke here today said you are a humane politician, do you agree
with them?
Parents who spoke here today said you are a humane politician, do you agree
with them?
A lot of people
who know me see me more as one who is more after poverty alleviation, helping
the people, celebrating children and ensuring that they get on with
development. This is my passion. It is what I love to do, what I enjoy doing. I
give God the glory for giving me an opportunity to do this again.
who know me see me more as one who is more after poverty alleviation, helping
the people, celebrating children and ensuring that they get on with
development. This is my passion. It is what I love to do, what I enjoy doing. I
give God the glory for giving me an opportunity to do this again.
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| Hajia Fatee to Asabeafrika…’I want to see a day when every poor child can stand up to amount to something’ |
“I
am celebrating with the children today because it is their day. Also in Lagos, Ifako Ijaiye local
government is the second largest in the whole of Lagos State, but then the level of poverty here is so
terrible”
May 27 is a day
set aside for children worldwide, why are you celebrating with the children
this particular way today?
set aside for children worldwide, why are you celebrating with the children
this particular way today?
I am celebrating
with the children today because it is their day. Also in Lagos, Ifako
Ijaiye local government is the second largest in the whole of Lagos
State, but then the level of poverty here is so terrible. So this
children’s day gives me an opportunity to celebrate with the children, it is
also an opportunity to share love with them and assure them that they can stand
at par with their contemporary outside, and can also stand out to say that they
are somebody.
with the children today because it is their day. Also in Lagos, Ifako
Ijaiye local government is the second largest in the whole of Lagos
State, but then the level of poverty here is so terrible. So this
children’s day gives me an opportunity to celebrate with the children, it is
also an opportunity to share love with them and assure them that they can stand
at par with their contemporary outside, and can also stand out to say that they
are somebody.
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| Dancing Time with Ifako Ijaiye kids |
Is this a one
off event?
off event?
Well for me, I
am not the type that takes on a project and stop it half way. So, it is going
to be a yearly event. This is our maiden edition, and I pray that it will
continue over the years.
am not the type that takes on a project and stop it half way. So, it is going
to be a yearly event. This is our maiden edition, and I pray that it will
continue over the years.
Are you happy
with the turn out of the event?
with the turn out of the event?
Yes I am. I am
glad to celebrate with the down trodden. I didn’t bring the children here but I
am happy they were all comfortable. Today, I have had the opportunity of
meeting with the poor and that makes me feel happy.
glad to celebrate with the down trodden. I didn’t bring the children here but I
am happy they were all comfortable. Today, I have had the opportunity of
meeting with the poor and that makes me feel happy.
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| Fathers came out to cut the FAM cake in appreciation of Hajia Fatee’s gesture |
“I
am proudly PDP
and I will continue to be PDP. The present problem in PDP is a
family issue, by this time next week there will be a joint press conference and
you will find out that the issues in PDP will all be resolved”.
We noticed that there was also an input of academics
in the programme?
in the programme?
Oh yes, there
was a slot for quiz during the celebration of which all the children
participated. There were also prices for everyone who got answers correctly.
The session was interesting because it also gave us an opportunity to find out
their level of intelligence. That is because we intend to get them enrolled in
the spelling bee competition across the state.
was a slot for quiz during the celebration of which all the children
participated. There were also prices for everyone who got answers correctly.
The session was interesting because it also gave us an opportunity to find out
their level of intelligence. That is because we intend to get them enrolled in
the spelling bee competition across the state.
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| Hajia Fatee shares the gift to her children |
Are you intending
to host this kind of event in other parts of the state?
Not really,
because this is my constituency. I am concentrating my efforts here. We have to
start from home. We have to build confidence in the minds of children who live
in Ifako
Ijaiye so
that they can hold their own and stay at par with children who live in Victoria
Island and Lekki.
because this is my constituency. I am concentrating my efforts here. We have to
start from home. We have to build confidence in the minds of children who live
in Ifako
Ijaiye so
that they can hold their own and stay at par with children who live in Victoria
Island and Lekki.
I want to be
able to raise my children in Ifako Ijaiye and they can
effectively compete with children from Ikoyi.
able to raise my children in Ifako Ijaiye and they can
effectively compete with children from Ikoyi.
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| A Cross Section of Happy Childrent at the FAM Children Day Celebration |
So what was the
challenge of putting this event together?
challenge of putting this event together?
I have a team of
30 people who played their roles. They have been sincere and are
people of integrity. There were people who were in charge of catering, people
who were in charge of the children; I have a dedicated team that works.
30 people who played their roles. They have been sincere and are
people of integrity. There were people who were in charge of catering, people
who were in charge of the children; I have a dedicated team that works.
You are in PDP
do you see yourself contesting under the party name in 2019?
do you see yourself contesting under the party name in 2019?
I am proudly PDP
and I will continue to be PDP. The present problem in PDP
is a family issue, by this time next week there will be a joint press
conference and you will find out that the issues in PDP will all
be resolved. The issues in PDP are not peculiar to PDP alone,
it happens in every political party. I want to tell the government of the day to
ensure that governance is do-able and achievable to the common man. There is a
lot of crying and gnashing of teeth among the people. Even the President
admitted for one. In the one year of being in government, it has been pain. And
I hope that he takes the opportunity of the children’s day to start to think of
how to alleviate people’s pain.
and I will continue to be PDP. The present problem in PDP
is a family issue, by this time next week there will be a joint press
conference and you will find out that the issues in PDP will all
be resolved. The issues in PDP are not peculiar to PDP alone,
it happens in every political party. I want to tell the government of the day to
ensure that governance is do-able and achievable to the common man. There is a
lot of crying and gnashing of teeth among the people. Even the President
admitted for one. In the one year of being in government, it has been pain. And
I hope that he takes the opportunity of the children’s day to start to think of
how to alleviate people’s pain.
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| Hajia Fatee to Asabeafrika…’I want every kids in Ifako-Ijaiye to be able to have the same feel with kids in VI or Lekki |
“My
father was a military man and my mother a business woman. I would say that I
got the passion to help and assist people from my mother because you could not
come to our house without eating something before leaving”.
How did your
background help to contribute to all these you are doing?
background help to contribute to all these you are doing?
Well my early
background was a peculiar growing experience. My father was a military man and
my mother a business woman. I would say that I got the passion to help and
assist people from my mother because you could not come to our house without
eating something before leaving. As a military man, that my father was, we had
to live from one barracks to another, from one state to another, we were like
children confined to the house.
background was a peculiar growing experience. My father was a military man and
my mother a business woman. I would say that I got the passion to help and
assist people from my mother because you could not come to our house without
eating something before leaving. As a military man, that my father was, we had
to live from one barracks to another, from one state to another, we were like
children confined to the house.
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| Hajia Fateema to Asabeafrika…’I am a conscientous politician’ |
At what point
did you join politics?
did you join politics?
That was in 1999
when I was driving through my mom’s town and I saw a political gathering
and I decided to join them. The women wanted to talk and they were shouted
down. I am gender sensitive. So, I asked what was responsible for the
intimidation and I decided to defend the women. That was when my interest in
politics started.
when I was driving through my mom’s town and I saw a political gathering
and I decided to join them. The women wanted to talk and they were shouted
down. I am gender sensitive. So, I asked what was responsible for the
intimidation and I decided to defend the women. That was when my interest in
politics started.
Why PDP?
Why not PDP?
The truth of the matter is that PDP is the only party where godfatherism does not fly. We are going
to have an election, we go through due process. It is not a party where people
are hand-picked. So, PDP is it.
The truth of the matter is that PDP is the only party where godfatherism does not fly. We are going
to have an election, we go through due process. It is not a party where people
are hand-picked. So, PDP is it.
Will you be
contesting soon?
contesting soon?
Well 2019 is
a long time for now; let us concentrate on building the local government.
a long time for now; let us concentrate on building the local government.
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| A boy checking his FAM gift |
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| A father appreciating FAM’s gesture at the event |
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| A happy boy dancing to the admiration of onlookers |
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| Children having their fun at the event |
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| Gifts for kids courtesy Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation |
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| Gifts for the kids |
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| Hajia Fatee presents a gift to one of the brilliants kids who won a quiz question |
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| Hajia Fateema Aduke Mohammed, Founder, Fateema Aduke Mohammed Foundation (FAM) |
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| Hajiya Fatee welcomes some PDP stalwarts to the event |
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| Hajiya Fateema Aduke Mohammed directiong her FAM team at the event |
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| Hajiya Fateema Aduke Mohammed to Asabeafrika…’I love PDP because we dont have godfathers in our party’ |
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| Hajiya Fateema Aduke Mohammed welcomes a veterann PDP stalwart to the event |
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| Happy Ifako-Ijaiye kids in their best mood |
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| Here comes the FAM Children gifts |
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| More Ifako-Ijaiye mothers appreciates FAM |
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| More People of Ifako-Ijaiye thanks FAM |
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| More to drink and eat for the kids |
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| Mothers equally came out to cut the FAM cake in appreciation of Hajia Fatee’s kind gesture |
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| One of the Entertainers engaged by FAM to keep the kids happy |
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| One of the happy mothers at the occassion |
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| Some elated and brilliant children reacting to a riddle and quiz directed by a FAM executive |
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| Some happy and elated mothers at the event |
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| The Kids got more than enough of FAM gifts |
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| The Media meets Hajia Fatee |
