THE GREAT HOPE WALK 2009:
10km in 3 Hours...We Did It!

And what a great job you all did! The 2009 HOPE Walk raised more awareness across the city and saw thousands turn out to support a worthy cause and walk the Walk.

The annual charity event organized by the benevolence arm of the Church, HOPE Worldwide Nigeria, is particularly meant to draw attention to the plight of Nigerians, especially the underprivileged.

The walk, holding in eight cities across the country with Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto, Kogi, Port Harcourt, Gombe having had theirs on the 21st of this month while Owerri and Ilorin will host the last leg on December 5 - witnessed people of all ages and backgrounds walk the 10 kilometers route from Maryland in Ikeja through the ever busy Ikorodu Highway to the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

According to Yemi Osilaja, the Country Director of HOPE Worldwide Nigeria, this year's event is currently being used to draw attention to children with HIV while participants also get the chance to exercise themselves. He said: "As a responsible and responsive organisation, we have in the past 10 years carried out series of activities to mitigate the impact of the situation.

"Through our partnership with the organised private sector, we have been able to identify and provide various services to these children."

This year's walk also saw a rich influence of corporate Nigeria as some renowned organizations participated. Some notable companies that day include Bank PHB, MTN Foundation, and Coca Cola Nigeria.

Coca Cola's Communication Manager, Clem Ugorji, disclosed that apart from sponsoring the event through its brand Eva the company also mobilised its staff to be part of the walk, which is expected to draw attention to the plight of the underprivileged.

"We believe (that) healthy living is important for the growth of business and the economy. We have supported the walk through the years not only because it is used to draw attention to the neglect of sports personalities and children living with HIV, but also because it promotes good health for the participants," he added.

MTN Nigeria Foundation Executive Secretary, Nonye Nduka-Eze, said her outfit was happy to partner Hope Worldwide in bringing succour to Nigerians through its annual walk, adding that they believe the partnership would help improve the lot of the Nigerians, who are the leaders of tomorrow.

"We have supported the Great Hope Walk over the years because of its desire to bring smiles to the faces of Nigerians and it also tallies with our aim at MTN Foundation," she added.

This year's walk was a smashing success! Over 6,000 people across Lagos alone got out early in the morning to partake in this noble cause and one would obviously, never feel so much hope for the future of our country like this as so many determined and concerned citizens participated on that bright, warm Saturday morning in Lagos. I appeal to all of you donors, volunteers and walkers to continue to fight for charity and return next year to help with the Great HOPE Walk again, particularly as the event marks its 10th anniversary in Nigeria.



Interviews culled from the Guardian

Please, we would love to hear your comments on this story:

I work for Hope Worldwide Kenya. I'm deeply impressed by this idea of the walk .Keep it up and God bless each of you - Ambundoh Kennedy