Every year, charities all over the world help to save and improve people’s lives, fighting diseases, protecting children, and giving hope to thousands of people. To honour the important work that these many charities do, in 2012 the United Nations decided to nominate an Annual International Day of Charity as an official day of recognition and celebration. The reason the date was chosen is because it is the anniversary of the death of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. This choice commemorates the tireless work that Mother Teresa did by devoting her whole life to charity work. To celebrate this special day every year, the work of different charities all over the world is publicized and celebrated, and people are encouraged to donate money and time, to carry out charitable works, and also to educate people and raise awareness about the many charitable issues worldwide. Education and giving are the essence of this special day which is observed annually on 5th September.

It is a day to rekindle the attitude of kindness and understanding towards other people of the world especially indicating generosity. A behavior of benevolence to others less fortunate than ourselves, provision of goods, money and health care to those in need. Philanthropic gestures by others to ameliorate the condition of others.

The World Charity Day would be marked to celebrate individuals, corporate bodies, organized private sector, civil societies, auxiliaries to governments of the world, community based organizations, faith based organizations, the mass media, trade unions, professional associations and co-operative societies among others who are the architects of our world. Persons and groups of great capabilities powers and responsibilities to build, restore and reconstruct the images and positiveness of our tomorrow. They are the lifelines of mankind with enormous power of charity which is the unflagging symbol of Hope, Vigour and Ameliorations in Vulnerabilities.
Most of the groups mentioned earlier have provided immediate interventions to create enabling situations towards massive push which is needed to boost access to essential services for the most vulnerable children and families, these activities have provided a vital kick-start to human development and poverty reduction, long term initiative that are rooted in human rights based approach to development.

It is also pertinent to highlights on the millions of children, women and the most vulnerable who have not been beneficiaries of past gains, the ones who are excluded or “invisible”. These are children without adequate access to education, to life-saving vaccines, to protection. Despite enormous efforts to reach children with needed services, millions continue to die every year.

The International Day of Charity raises two main questions: What is Charity? And why is there a special day for International Charity? Charity is the act of giving, typically of money and/or time, to help those less advantaged. The following are but a few examples of charitable acts:
 Raise funds per every kilometer that is run/walked to benefit a certain person or cause.

 Divert money by donating half of your entertainment money per month or ask friends and family to donate money given for birthdays and holidays towards a charity organization.

 Contribute manual labour to help build a house for a low-income family or periodic chores at orphanages.

 Visit a nursing home; take some books to share, your pet, or just a listening ear.

 Donate food to a local food drive or donate to orphanages and rehabilitation homes.

 It is a special day to raise optimum awareness and push up the consciousness of compassion, benevolence, love and tenderly care for others, mostly those who are in need of mankind, gestures and philanthropies.

In the 2030 Agenda on Suitable Development adopted in September, 2015, The United Nations recognizes that eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development. The Agenda also calls for a spirit of strengthened global solidarity, focused in particular on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable. It also acknowledges the role of the diverse private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals, and that of civil society organizations and philanthropic organizations in the implementation of the new Agenda.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) set forth in the Agenda can be grouped into six critical areas: people, planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. They have the potential to transform our lives and our planet by providing the framework needed for philanthropic institutions to enable all people to contribute to the better of our world.

Ruminating on the activities of these charities and prominent individuals of the world with reference to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) which is a clear strategic initiative to ensure environmental sustainability; and develop a global partnership of development. To mention just a few of these organizations like International Committee of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, Rotary International, Medicine San Frontier, Bill Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Rocky Fella Foundation, MTN, Globalcom, Dangote Foundation, Nestle, Guinesse, and a lot of individual foundations and charities in Nigeria, Anambra State and all the States of the Federation who have made enormous contributions as stakeholders to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) which is central to world economic and social order.

Deeper approaches must be taken that give special attention to the most vulnerable. This requires the participation of governments by creating enabling environment, advocacy, motivation, and partnership with donors, international agencies, civil societies, volunteers and the mass media in this militating period of Boko Haram terrorism, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, self-determination agitations which resulted in extreme difficult situations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDP’s) who are in great need of food, water, shelter, healthcare and security to survive.

Sequel to internal conflicts and restiveness that have bedeviled Nigeria recently including political bitterness and rancor, Boko Harma insurgency, agitations for different republics, herdsmen and farmers conflicts, youth restiveness, religious intolerance, wanton exhibition of hatred, hateful songs, speeches, acerbic insinuations and glaring marginalization, it becomes very pertinent to call on Federal and State Governments of Nigeria to embark on the Reconciliation of the entire Nigeria. This is the first step to keep Nigeria one and secure the future of the nation.

The Federal Government as a matter of urgent national importance establishes Federal Ministry of Reconciliation and State Ministries of Reconciliation in all States of Nigeria with sufficient budgetary provisions. This is expected to cause peace and national cohesion which is better than tough talks and military deployment which will exacerbate the militating situations.

Politicians should have the reminiscent of the political characters of the national founding fathers like Late Dr. Kingsley Ozumba Mbadiwe, Man of Timber and Calibre, Iron and Steel. His colourful oratory eloquence on political issues without vindictive and abusive language was a vivid attestation of civilized politics devoid of malice. What of Late Alhaji Ibrahim Waziri of GNPP, the exponent of Politics without Bitterness who never used any foul language on political opponents throughout his life time.

Charity contributes to the promotion of dialogue, solidarity and mutual understanding among people. Charity is the harbinger of peace and social responsibilities, do not procrastinate, do something for Humanity, be your brother’s keeper because every day is an opportunity to help those in need!!!



PROF. PETER EMEKA KATCHY (Gold Medalist) JP FCAI FIPAM
Tel: +2348039510069
E-mail: emekakatchy@yahoo.com