THE FANTASTIC FIVE: ARRESTED FOR ADVOCACY.
Chaste inegbedion lost his father to heart attack in April 2009. This propelled him to start up a cause on heart attack. He put up a team of talented people who saw and admired his vision and together they came up with the Brown Heart Campaign, an initiative of C5W, a PR and volunteering outfit based in Nigeria and also owned by Chaste, with a mission to sensitize young at hearts and the nation as a whole on the dangers of heart challenges and ultimately the prevention and a vision to reduce the risk of heart challenges in and out of our country Nigeria. So far it’s being a skyrocket of success as the team has not only done their first induction seminar but also their second and are on their way to do the third. They tell ADA IGBOANUGO how the journey has been so far and how they’ve been able to cope as a team notwithstanding their busy schedules and differences.
This is the third edition of the Brown Heart Campaign. How did it all start and how has the journey being so far?
Glory be to God almighty, I remember, it was like yesterday when it all started on the 7th of April when all we conceived in our heart came into been. The inaugural campaign was held at Olabisi Onabanjo University Ibogun campus. This campaign constitute of different programs such as the inaugural lecture, marathon race, a football match and free medical checkups amongst many others that was held on this day. After this was the induction ceremony at to induct our ever dependable young at heart ambassadors on the 9th of may 2009 which included fashion show, comedy section to count few. The next upcoming event, which tagged “the august visitor”, will be held on 2nd October 2009.
Credits to Nkem Agboti and Jedi for making the first one and Azuka Oguijugba for making the second. We look forward to the third.
Why did you choose to paint the heart brown?
The heart is known to be the single most functional unit of the Body that if hurt or diseased may lead to death of its Host. What does Brown have to do with it? A simple brown color begets deep thinking Shows the bravery in young Nigeria and works as a visual brown alert to get the message Heard loud and clear: Heart Disease Doesn't Care What You Wear or your age. It’s the #1 and #3 Killer of a young Nigerian.
Whose idea was it?
The idea is a registered one for Creative Five World. We needed to be grounded in the five sub brands of C5W Company which includes charity, catwalk, ceremony, charity and computer. The company decided to adopt brown heart campaign under the charity umbrella which is completely different from the Brown Heart Foundation undergoing technical supervision from a
The emergence was due to the loss of the creative director’s DAD and was initiated after a year of the latter’s death. In addition the initiative was started at a time when recession, global meltdown and financial stress {“Financial stress can cause your whole cardiovascular system to be off,” says Louise Hawkley, PhD, associate director of the Social Neuroscience Laboratory at the University of Chicago. “Elevated stress hormones constrict the blood vessels and create a vicious cycle where blood scrapes the cells and aggravates atherosclerotic plaque, which increases your risk for a cardiovascular event like a heart attack.”} was on the lips of every Nigerian and relationship outburst also compounded heart breaks with the increase in divorce rates most especially among our celebrities. the essence of education about the heart now became paramount to providing answers we don t have about the heart and that heart diseases is the most deadliest among other health related challenges.
What have you been able to achieve with the Brown Heart Campaign?
A lot individually and team wise. Even though the finance has not been there to skyrocket the campaign, the brown heart team has been able to achieve a lot. Apart from the campaign about the heart, the team has visited several orphanage homes and also the less privileged.
With Brown Heart Campaign, we have been able to achieve some goals, which is to affect our generation through our involvements in BHC and other NGOs. It has also opened various opportunities of meeting people who are role models to some of us and also we have increased in our knowledge about the perspective of life mostly after meeting the orphanage and the aged. Also it opened way for some of us to be active in other outreaches such as ‘Stand up to Cancer Campaign’ led by Caleb Egwenu.
In synopsis,
· Media Exchange on sensitization of the heart with social network, print and online blogs which has helped with education of the heart to the public.
- We have raised a large followership of over a thousand within few months of her take off and 50 inducted ambassadors from the world of entertainment, media and corporate world.
- We have been able to create events where our intentions to raise volunteers for a social cause and a portfolio of Heart Ambassador, this has a two fold increase for the solutions provided for the worthy cause and support to charity homes.
Our achievements cannot be over emphasized.
How did you come together?
Gboyega-I met chaste when I was in secondary but started working together as back as 2005 a project we called “ Mentor Mentee”, before I left for school. We later reacquainted earlier this year when he hinted me about BHC and I decided to become a team member since a good cause to fight, I meet other team members on Facebook after realizing we share the same passion.
Basically, Chaste was the link to everybody.
How many of you have lost your dads/relatives to heart attack?
Well, most of us have not lost someone close to us to heart attack except Zainab who lost her grandmother to heart attack, but heart attack is consuming the lives of many men and thus needs urgent attention and campaign.
As a team, do you face challenges?
As a team, we face various challenges such as communication barrier since some are still in school and some are working, there is this notion that most NGOs are after making money for their personal pockets than for the cause they fight for, so individuals and cooperate bodies are reluctant to assist or sponsor our various campaign and events. Due to tight schedules of the team members, technical supervision coupled with finance in executions of projects are the major challenges from other tasking roles.
There is also the issue of trying to get this campaign down to the masses, due to little or means of getting our message to the populace.
Challenges. As a team, the challenges would always come but God has always been there to bring the team along.
Your boss, per say, getting all the media attention individually and not as a team, do you sometimes feel resentful towards him?
well, umm firstly, there is no boss, we see ourselves as equal people coming together to fight a common cause and secondly every member of the team have equal rights to media attentions since any of us could go represent the team at different functions. But then most of us are not concerned about the popularity.
Let’s meet the brains behind Brown Heart…
Chaste Christopher Ebhodaghe Inegbedion (CCEI), the initiator/creative director of the Brown Heart Campaign, Ogunyemi Tosyn {Events Emporium} coordinator of programmes and director of events, Ojo Gboyega ,a 500l electrical electronics student of Olabisi Onabanjo University ,Logistics Director, Zainab Ikaz, Operations Director and Oseyomon Isi, Finance Director/ Charity Homes Supervisor.
What should we expect from this year’s event?
Expectations are high to host season two of the Induction of Youth at Heart Ambassadors and the unveiling of Brown Heart campaign as a special gift to Nigeria independence at 49 with the theme “Give Nigeria a Brown Heart”. A Brown-themed extravaganza in the history of Nigeria-International Event Industry. The Overwhelming “August Visitor” would become an unusual event, travelling all around where Nigerians live across the world, there is no doubt it would become a must -see event in the charity calendar on this continent. The C5W “August Visitor” will herald the spotlight on the source of inspirations, Nigerians and will provide a platform for which its inducted heart ambassadors and supporters can launch CSR initiatives and a large network for businesses.
The Pre event ‘Ladies Night IN’ scheduled to hold on a Brown Heart Friendly Friday will feature a Divalicious affair with autograph signing of a Heart Rendition mix tapes produced by a Belgium based Nigerian best DJ and a ‘Ladies Night IN’ pampering to see sneak previews of premiered movies at the Cinema.
On a Super Sunday, the flight continues at the Brown Heart Divas Lounge from 3pm to 8pm.the evening will feature performance from talented Nigerian female artiste, entertainment would come in an unusual way with Tasting affairs, Celebrity catwalk, Short speeches, Achievers Auctions and a Mystery Guest/Game. We invite Every Human with a Heart to be part of this humanitarian venture and to reach out to Nigerians across borders to be part of this new, refreshing and health awareness initiative called the Brown Heart Campaign and the evening of both mixes of excitement and empowerment called ‘THE AUGUST VISITOR’ (Brown Heart LADIES...the guys, and the brands for charity). The event will cater for distinguished guests, amongst who will be consultants, brand managers, cardiologists, successful business moguls and lovers of entertainment in general.
Uche Nnaji, CEO, Ouch, on Brown Heart.
How do you feel being inducted as a youth@heart ambassador?
It feels great because I’ve come to realise that the only reason I’m still in Nigeria and haven’t looked for greener pastures and abscond, taking the easier way out as most of my contemporaries is because I’ve been called as a reformer and a change agent for my generation and irrespective of what I’m doing right now, being at Ouch, I still see it as a tool to affect change in my generation. It feels wonderful and it gives me reasons to continue with the belief that there’s a better Nigeria ahead of us.
What’s your take on heart attack and heart breaks?
I’ve not had a one on one encounter with anyone that has had heart attack but I know it’s a silent killer and in Nigeria in particular there are a lot of things as little as mosquitoes that kill but this give symptoms of malaria, heart attack doesn’t show symptoms that’s why I said it’s a silent killer and it should be looked into and taken seriously by everyone one of us and we should try as much as possible to look into it and take care of ourselves and the person next door and if possible, more attention should be given to this by the authorities.
What role as an ambassador and as a wardrobe consultant would you play in supporting the campaign?
Well as a Brown Heart ambassador my responsibility is to style. We would try as with all that’s in our power to contribute immensely to the Brown Heart Campaign and see how we could just contribute our little quota because that’s what makes all the difference.
STAR SWAG
For this week’s Star swag. We have the king of Naija Rap Swagga himself Sauce kid. Presently working on a new mixtape and Ghetto P’s album, sauce is keeping his game tight. He also just completed shooting the video for his new track ‘I can’t feel my face’ as well as the ‘I be fine boy video’. Ya’ll can also check out his street video for ‘The Game Needs Me’, produced by Iceberg slim.
Sauce’s Head Gear?
I’m a hat person. Baseball hats, fitted, non-fitted, visors e.tc. but these days, I tend to leave the hair on display ‘cuz’ I have braids now.
Shades?
I’m a shade’s Person. I wear shades to cover my eyes when they are red (tinted), or just so I don’t make eye contact with folks. I have about 30 pairs of shades but give them out after a couple of public appearances.
Tees or Shirts?
I like the fitted and baggy wear for shirts. I like Tees, and dress shirts as well. Whatever shirt I wear, it has to be a dress up.
Jeans?
Fitted Jeans or Baggy alike- doesn’t matter. Usually the shirt and shoes I wear determine what size of Jeans I wear. Like I wear some Gucci Sneakers on some baggy Jeans, you get me.
Time Piece?
I do the wrist wears- Rado, Movado, bebe, Armani amongst others.
A Movado Timepiece
Footwear?
Sneakers, Footies, Basketball Shoes are cool on a regular Cali summer.
Glitz Bobo Recommends Sneaks by Gucci N35,000
Scent?
I smell like money. But usually I like the eternity by Calvin Klein, Amen by Thierry Mugler. Yeah.
Amen by Thierry Mugler N9,000
Sauce’s Swag in three words?
Swagga for Days.
Tech-bobo
The I-phone 3G
This week, Glitzbobo reccomends the Iphone 3G.
The iphone 3G now has common cell phone features like multimedia messaging, video recording, and voice dialing unlike the previous Iphone babies. It runs faster and has a longer battery life. With download speeds as high as 1.4Mbps it promises faster internet connection and downloads on your mobile depending on your service provider.
Iphone 3G
GAME ZONE
For the Game heads, if you want the X-men Origin’s Wolverine Experience then pick an ‘X-Men Origins:Wolverine the game’. Wolverine is the same energy charged super hero like he was in the movie, but this time you are in control of his destiny. With really cool fighting sequences and the ability to regenerate (yep) the game promises to be a cool play. You can hook up to this game on PS3, Xbox, PC and there are also Wii and PS2 versions.
No comments:
Post a Comment