Josemaria Escriva Foundation

03/05/2026

4th Annual Teachers Skills Enhancement Project (TSEP)
A training session aimed at enhancing teachers’ skills was held today at Ebhakhuala Primary School, Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area. This session focused on Module 1, Units 4–6, which covered pedagogical skills, the Maria Montessori method, class and time management, and stress management.
This training is held annually to equip teachers in selected public primary schools across Esan West and Esan Central Local Government Areas. The facilitator did an excellent job by providing detailed insights into pedagogical skills, effective class and time management, and practical strategies for managing stress without affecting daily interactions with pupils in the classroom.
One of the major highlights of today’s training session was the August visit of the Chairman of Esan West Local Government Area, Hon. Albert Ebhodaghe, and his wife. In his speech, he commended the good work of the CRO of the Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, for his immense contributions to the local government and society at large. He further stated his full support for the training initiative and his commitment to improving the standard of education in the local government area. He also donated the sum of one hundred thousand naira to support the teachers and commended them for their dedication and hard work.
This project is funded by TY Danjuma foundation and facilitated by Josemaria escriva foundation.
This project is funded by TY DANJUMA FOUNDATION and executed by JOSEMARIA ESCRIVA FOUNDATION.

01/05/2026

PRESS STATEMENT

JOSEF Celebrates Nigerian Workers: A Call for Dignity, Equity, and Security
EKPOMA, May 1, 2026 - On this International Workers Day, Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) a leading human rights organisation proudly stands alongside millions of labourers across Nigeria and the globe. We recognize and honour the unwavering resilience and invaluable contributions of a workforce that serves as the true engine of our national development. Today is a day to reflect on the fact that work is far more than a means of survival; it is a noble vocation and a pathway to personal fulfillment and social transformation.
Drawing inspiration from our patron, St. Josemaría Escrivá, we reaffirm that ordinary work, when performed with love and excellence, becomes extraordinary. As he famously taught, no occupation is inherently great or small before God; rather, every task gains its value from the love with which it is executed. However, for work to remain a source of dignity, the environment in which it is performed must reflect the inherent worth of the human person.
In light of the prevailing economic landscape, JOSEF issues a solemn and urgent call to the Federal and State Governments, as well as all private employers of labour, to move beyond rhetoric and embrace true fairness. We demand an ironclad commitment to the prompt payment of wages and the implementation of a fair, livable wage structure. It is a moral imperative that a workers sweat must never dry before they are justly compensated. Furthermore, we insist that holistic welfare, including proper healthcare, retirement benefits, and a humane work-life balance, be treated as fundamental rights rather than optional perks.
Critically, we address the growing need for the protection of our people. We call for an immediate and comprehensive overhaul of security measures within our communities and workplaces. No Nigerian worker should ever have to choose between their livelihood and their life. We urge the government to ensure that the journey to work, and the workplace itself, is shielded from the persistent threats of insecurity that currently plague our nation.
To ensure these goals are met, JOSEF advocates for a SMART approach to labour relations in 2026. This includes implementing specific ethical codes and safety protocols, establishing measurable benchmarks for wage reviews, and investing in achievable human capital development. These policies must remain relevant to current inflationary realities and be executed within a clear timeframe, specifically urging the government to finalize all pending labor-security agreements by the end of the second quarter of this year.
As we celebrate this day, we remind every worker that only work that is well-done and lovingly completed deserves praise. We encourage you to take pride in your roles and continue to strive for excellence. To the authorities and employers, we reiterate: a secure, respected, and well-compensated workforce is the only foundation upon which a prosperous and stable nation can be built.
Happy Workers Day!

Comr. Jude Obasanmi PhD
Chief Responsibility Officer,
Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF)
May 1, 2026.

16/04/2026

The 16th Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Multi-Sectoral Quarterly MeetingThe quarterly GBV stakeholders’ meeting, organized by the Office of the First Lady of Edo State and the Ministry of Social Development, was held on Thursday, 16th April 2026, at the New Festival Hall, Government House, Benin City. The meeting aimed to improve survivor services, legal accountability, and community awareness on Gender-Based Violence.In attendance were the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpebholo Anani; the Chief Responsibility Officer (CRO) of Josemaria Escriva Foundation, Dr. Jude Obasanmi; the Honourable Commissioner for Information; the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs; the Honourable Commissioner for Health; other senior government officials; and representatives of several non-governmental organizations.The First Lady appreciated the presence of the Commissioner for Information and urged him to support the dissemination of information on Gender-Based Violence cases, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

15/04/2026

Josemaria Escriva Foundation was represented by Mr. Abdulsamad Olanrewaju and Mr. Cosmos Onwujekwe at a three-day training organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Benin City, Edo State, held from 13th to 15th April 2026. The training was designed for Monitoring and Evaluation Expert Team (MET) members in Edo State, with the aim of strengthening monitoring systems and enhancing participants’ capacity to carry out high-quality, ethical, protection-sensitive, and PSEA-compliant monitoring in line with IOM MEAL standards.

09/04/2026

https://newscurve24.com/2026/04/09/josemaria-escriva-foundation-pledges-support-for-world-malaria-day-outreach/

Thanks for visiting, Please share! The Josémaria Escriva Foundation has pledged medical supplies and technical support to a team of health advocates from the Standing Committee on Public Health (SCOPH)....

08/04/2026

A harmonization meeting of Esan Central Local Government Area was held at the Esan Central Secretariat. The meeting was duly attended by the Foundation CRO, Dr. Jude Obasanmi; Mrs. Osezele Julie O. (Local Government TBLS); Mrs. Ayewoh Joan (LACA, Esan Central LGA); Miss Favour Eboseyi; and Mrs. Omonye Onobhamioriobe (CV, Esan Central LGA).The meeting started with an opening prayer led by Mrs. Osezele Julie at 10:15 a.m. Afterwards, the collation of different reports was done, followed by a dialogue session on how to improve outreaches and different ways to reach remote areas.The meeting ended with a closing prayer led by Mrs. Ayewoh Joan at 12:05 p.m.

06/04/2026

Inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Okaijesan Development InitiativeThe inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Okaijesan Development Initiative was attended by one of the foundation board members, Prof. Matthew Izibili, and the Chief Responsibility Officer, Dr. Jude Obasanmi.The Okaijesan Development Initiative’s vision is to empower rural communities to thrive sustainably. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in rural areas through sustainable development, inclusive growth, and community-led initiatives.Prof. Matthew Izibili, who served as the guest lecturer at the event, spoke about the roles of leadership in rural development, community engagement in politics, collaboration, inclusiveness, and active partnership. He also espoused his ideas on the key leadership traits essential for rural development.Twelve (12) members of the Board of Trustees were inaugurated, alongside twelve (12) strategic members.

06/04/2026

Strengthening Democracy from the Grassroots

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in partnership with the Josemaria Escriva Foundation, successfully hosted a high-level sit-down dialogue yesterday, March 19, at Edo Innovate Hall, Benin City. The event supported by UK International Development (FCDO) was part of the E-CEGALE Project, which brought together government dignitaries and a diverse group of citizens, including women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWD), to discuss a vital mission: Enhancing Citizens’ Engagement in Governance.

Key Takeaways:
Budget Accessibility: Local government budgets shouldn't be a secret! Every citizen has the right to access and review how funds are allocated.
Your Voice Matters: Citizens must be empowered to share their views on spending before budgets are finalized.
Priority Projects: We are calling for transparency and a focus on what the grassroots truly need—specifically roads, water, and security.

The outcome was very clear as Local governments must prioritize projects based on actual community needs and maintain absolute transparency in spending. The session was facilitated by Dr. Bright Oniovokukor and Mr. Harisson Oronsaye. The Team lead of the Project Dr. Jude Obasanmi and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr. Peter Nwadishi took turns to brief the participants of the essence of the project and success made so far.

26/03/2026

An advocacy visit held on 25th March, 2026 by Josemaria Escriva Foundation to the Local Government Head of Service, Etsako West LGA and the office of Local Government Secretary, Etsako West LGA to discuss the Enhancing Citizen Engagement Project (E-CEGALE) also to present of Policy Document and Suggestion Box.
The visit was led by Comr. Dr. Jude Obasanmi and accompanied by project team members and Community Governance Committee (CGC) representatives.

23/03/2026

4th Annual Teachers Skills Enhancement Project (TSEP) Kicks Off in Edo State.The 2026 edition of the Teachers Skills Enhancement Project (TSEP) for selected public primary school teachers in Esan Central and Esan West Local Government Areas of Edo State commenced today, March 21, 2026, at Ukpughale Primary School, Ekpoma, in Esan West LGA.

This fourth edition of the programme will train a total of 60 teachers—30 from each of the two local government areas—focusing on key areas such as classroom and time management, the use of ICT in teaching and learning, content delivery and stress and mental health management amongst others.

Highlights of the training session included training on writing skills, communication skills, and classroom management. The session also featured interactive dialogue between the teachers and trainers, where participants shared their challenges and explored practical ways to improve on the skills acquired, particularly in writing, communication, and classroom management.

A total of 30 primary school teachers, including head teachers, attended the session in Esan West LGA. Participants expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the training, noting that it would significantly enhance their teaching capacity and effectiveness in imparting knowledge to younger learners.

The project is implemented by the Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) and funded by the TY Danjuma Foundation (TYDF).

20/03/2026

Strengthening Democracy from the Grassroots

The Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, in partnership with the Josemaria Escriva Foundation, successfully hosted a high-level sit-down dialogue yesterday, March 19, at Edo Innovate Hall, Benin City. The event supported by UK International Development (FCDO) was part of the E-CEGALE Project, which brought together government dignitaries and a diverse group of citizens, including women, youth, and Persons with Disabilities (PWD), to discuss a vital mission: Enhancing Citizens’ Engagement in Governance.

Key Takeaways:
Budget Accessibility: Local government budgets shouldn't be a secret! Every citizen has the right to access and review how funds are allocated.
Your Voice Matters: Citizens must be empowered to share their views on spending before budgets are finalized.
Priority Projects: We are calling for transparency and a focus on what the grassroots truly need—specifically roads, water, and security.

The outcome was very clear as Local governments must prioritize projects based on actual community needs and maintain absolute transparency in spending. The session was facilitated by Dr. Bright Oniovokukor and Mr. Harisson Oronsaye. The Team lead of the Project Dr. Jude Obasanmi and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer Mr. Peter Nwadishi took turns to brief the participants of the essence of the project and success made so far.