ANDREW EKEJIUBA
Team Nigeria Sydney 2000 Olympic silver medallist, Ruth Ogbeifo-Balofin, has empowered orphans and widows through her pet project ‘Charity Mind of Giving (CMOG) Foundation’.
The 2002 Commonwealth Games champion told reporters that CMOG Foundation became necessary in order to alleviate the plight of the less-privileged in the society.
The former Nigeria international revealed that aside from trying to produce female weightlifting champions for Nigeria, she intends to produce self-reliant citizens.
“Weightlifting made me who I am today and I thank God for that, but I believe everyone cannot be an active sports person and this is why I decided to empower orphans and widows through Charity Mind of Giving (CMOG) Foundation.
“If the athletes cannot excel in sports due to the intensive training and pressure, I believe they can channel their energy to either tailoring or hairdressing,” she opined.
Ogbeifo-Balofin stated that some of the empowered orphans and widows who showed interest are doing well in their respective areas of specialisation.
CMOG instructor, Dayo Adetunji, advised the beneficiaries to be diligent and serious while learning at the centre.
He assured that the children will be enrolled at Government Schools when schools resume.