let's get acquainted

HOPE FOR THE LIVING is my little pet project aimed at uplifting the afflicted and giving hope to the hopeless in the society. As a hospital staff and chaplain, I come across different kinds of people every day in my office, home and other public places. Most of these people are ignorant, vulnerable people who needed some words of counsel to better their lives.

In the course of my interaction with both the poor and the rich, I discovered that an ignorant person is prone to sudden destruction. Have you once considered your eating habit? Therefore I feel indebted to this generation – to offer my services free of charge to as many as will avail themselves of the opportunity.

MY PERSON AND CARRER

My names are Gladys Ada Ekenyere from Enugu State of Nigeria. I reside presently in Maiduguri, Borno State with my nucleus family. I was born on the 28^th day of August 1968 at Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State where I had my primary and post-primary education.

I obtained my Higher National Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics in 1994 from the famous Kaduna Polytechnic. My research work was on Haematological Analysis of Pregnant women. In 1995 I got my National Youth Service Corps (N.Y.S.C.) discharge certificate.

I have completed my Post Graduate Diploma in HIV/AIDS Education and Management with the National Open University of Nigeria. My research work was on Home Based Practice of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Maiduguri, Borno State.

From 1990 when I obtained my National Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics, I have been practicing, having personal contacts with different kinds of patients. I started from the General Hospital, Mongonu as Assistant Dietitian from 1990 – 1992; General Hospital, Bama as Senior Dietitian from 1995 – 1997; State Specialists Hospital, Maiduguri as Principal Dietitian and later as Assistant Chief Dietitian from 1997 to date and now with Umaru Shehu Ultra Modern Hospital as Clinical Dietitian and Head, Dietetic Department.

I was registered with Nigeria Dietetic Association (NDA) in 1999 having passed the prescribed examinations and was issued with the association’s Certificate of Registration.

Recently I have been actively involved in dealing with people affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. I have come to appreciate to a larger extent the importance of diet and proper nutrition in the management of the disease. ART alone is not enough. My home based (HBPWLHA) research work was another eye opener. We still have a lot to do, they need love and care. Until all are free, none is free!

I am married with two kids to Chaplain Rev. Festus A. Ekenyere, a 2^nd Commandant-General with Chaplains Fellowship of Nigeria Inc. He is the Northeast Regional Commandant of CFN and the General Overseer of The Faith Builders Ministries – Worldwide. Our humanitarian and chaplaincy work has brought us face to face with the down trodden, the afflicted and less-privileged as we visit hospitals, remind homes and prisons. My hobbies are reading, writing, praying and jogging.

I discovered that a smaller percentage of the populace who are literate seek for medical care and counseling early. So many people are silently infecting others and dying undiscovered. They lack proper education – not from the four walls of an institution, but education on what they are going through. Who will condescend so low to educate these people?

I was among the Chaplains who paid an advocacy visit to the Borno State Action Committee on Aids lately. We submitted a proposal (after our grass-root investigations) on CFN intervention on HIV/AIDS. It is a one year project. No action was taken on it. As soon as we stop paying lips service to the scourge and get to the root of the matter, we will see positive result.

Please think of how you can help. Go to my contact page and let’s get acquainted.

God bless you forever! Remember there is HOPE FOR THE LIVING.