- Title: NIGERIA: Concert held to raise funds for rehabilitating street kids in Lagos
- Date: 3rd February 2009
- Summary: "INSPIRE AFRICA" LOGO
- Embargoed: 18th February 2009 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
- Reuters ID: LVA47OBEOUBQ05AEU2RESKHT6IGN
- Story Text: Inspire Africa Foundation, a non-governmental organisation based in Lagos, held a concert on Saturday (January 31) to raise money for helping street kids in Lagos.
According to UNICEF, at least one million children live on the streets of the commercial hub of Africa most populous country.
The money raised from ticket sales will go towards building rehabilitation centres for the kids were they will be fed, clothed, kept safe from abuse and taught vocation and life skills.
The Inspire Africa Foundation partnered with UNICEF and the Lagos State government to organize the event.
"We don't have all the resources, we will prioritise and do those that are crucial and those that will make a difference in the lives of those children," said Mo Abudu, the founder of Inspire Africa Foundation.
"Every money we raise will go to UNICEF and they will implement with their partners those programs," added Abudu whose talk show 'Moments with Mo' is popular around the continent.
Most of the funds raised came from the various corporate sponsors.
Seats at the concert sold for 710 US dollars. The Foundation has not yet announced how much it raised at the event.
"It's about touching lives and I live in Lagos; I drive on the street and each time I see those kids I feel very bad. At times they just swarm on your car like that, even though you want to drive them away there is human compassion in you that you want to do something, so the little we could do we do on the street. But someone has now come up with a package to actually take them off the street and give them a future, I am part of this," said Obafemi George, who was at the concert.
Another guest, Ken Etete, stressed that none of Africa's problems can be resolved until the issue of street children is dealt with.
"The basic things we need in Africa, education, health, security and how can you have education, health, security if most of the children are out on the street being abused and being lured into crime and all that. So this is why we want to continue to participate and partner with any good organisation, credible organisation, that's why we are part of it."
Local and international stars like 2Face, Dbanj and "Timi"
kept guests entertained through the night.
The concert is part of the "Make A Difference" campaign which is also being run by the Inspire Africa Foundation. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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