Francis O. Olaniyi
Member of National Youth Service Corps
From January of 2012 up till the beginning of June, Trees for Life staff had multiple email exchanges with a young Nigerian named Francis Olaniyi. At that time Francis was half way into a year long project of working on MORINGA sensitization through out Nigeria. It was kicked off in Pil Gani community in Plateau State where there are lots of Moringa trees. His was a year of volunteering through the Nigerian National Youth Service.
Our initial response was to determine in what ways Trees for Life could be helpful to Francis in his plans to spread awareness about this remarkable tree. We learned that Francis was an accounting graduate from Obafemi Awolowo University in South-West Nigeria. “What I love most is touching lives positively, and want to spread the good news of Moringa to as many as possible, educate rural dwellers……curb poverty, reduce malnutrition…..and improve material health. Also, to educate the government, NGOs and others and get them involved in using Moringa to better peoples’ lives with a focus on children, youth and women.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!
Francis continues, “Futhermore, I am currently coordinating the MORINGA LOVERS project and working with other volunteers, community heads, farmers, secondary & primary school students and several youth and women’s groups.” These goals are all a part of his one-year time of service!
To assist Francis, a variety of printed materials were sent to him to use in creating his own translations in the Hausa language. He felt this would further encourage more cultivation, use and commercialisation of Moringa in the rural communities. Three weeks after shipping the materials, Francis confirmed their arrival.
In early June of this year, Francis again wrote to us: “At this juncture, let me say it has been nice knowing “trees for life”. As a matter of fact, the people in Langtang North Local government and Plateau State as a whole are much more aware about MORINGA now, especially the need to plant more trees, the need for farmers to cultivate large plantations and the need for the government and the private companies to invest in Moringa. I have facilitated workshops for farmers, who are already making plans to start large cultivations. The media has also helped me in my awareness. Some researchers in the country have shown interest in making more findings on the Moringa to further bring out more facts. I was featured on a national TV program, ‘NTA AM Express’ on Saturday March 23rd to share with the whole nation and the international community how Moringa can address major health challenges in Africa.”
Francis said he has plans, now that he is finished with his National Youth Service Corps year in Plateau State, to move to the southern part of the country, but Moringa awareness continues strongly in his future.
Francis’ story is not quite yet over! In July we were told he would be sending two copies of an educational booklet that he had written entitled: MORINGA Lovers – An Adventure of Corper Zogale (Corps Member Moringa – one who educates others about Moringa).
Moringa Lovers handbook
Authored by Francis O. Olaniyi
Francis tells how he learned about moringa from his “mum”, ended up in the National Youth Service Corps and detailed his many ideas and experiences during his year with the people in Plateau State, Nigeria. Francis closes his story by challenging the reader that “It is never too late to start maximizing the wonderful endowments of Moringa. Help yourself, help your neighbour, help your environment and help the world at large.”
We are amazed by all that Francis accomplished during his year of service! A true inspiration to others.
The following are photos taken by Francis of his work with Moringa tree planting.
Moringa seeds ready for planting
Removing the outer shell of Moringa seeds
Moringa seedlings after two weeks
A road path with Moringa trees
Be a part of the solution to malnutrition worldwide.
Help plant Moringa trees.
Tags: Moringa, moringa tree leaves, National Youth Service Corps, Nigeria, nutrition, Plateau State, poverty, seedlings, service, Trees for Life, volunteer
September 21, 2012 at 4:03 am |
this is great. i will love to meet Francis, i have being involved in Moringa seed and seedling distribution for over 2 years now and am still very ready to give tonnes away to those that need it.
www,highhillmoringa,com
September 21, 2012 at 8:09 am |
He is only one, but still, he is one. One + moringa =new lives and hope for many. Congratulations to Francis for finding one thing that works! Pat Felton
September 22, 2012 at 10:27 pm |
Keep it up Francis, As a microbiologist pursuing PhD on Moringa, I’like to confirm that it is a ‘miracle tree’ indeed and can transform lives of many in all aspects of Life. It is a Green Gold to the natives! It needs to be nurtured from the aggravating effects of Climate change or else, Moringa will be history!!
October 18, 2012 at 3:16 pm |
Great! This is real inspiring! Trees of for Life, thumbs up!!! I am pleased to see this great Nigerian take moringa up this way. Please Francis, I would love to buy a copy of your book on Moringa. I would you come join us in Moringa Development Association of Nigeria. Let us take Moringa to greater heights, blessing more Nigerians. Please connect on +2348065387819, http://www.facebook.com/christawake. Blessings!
October 18, 2012 at 3:37 pm |
Great! This is real inspiring! Trees of for Life, thumbs up!!! I am pleased to see this great Nigerian take moringa up this way. Please Francis, I would love to buy a copy of your book on Moringa. I would you come join us in Moringa Development Association of Nigeria. Let us take Moringa to greater heights, blessing more Nigerians. Please connect on +2348065387819, http://www.facebook.com/christawake. You may visit my blog at http://www.moringawealthandhealth.blogspot.com. Blessings!
November 1, 2012 at 12:33 pm |
Wow Amazing.
January 3, 2013 at 10:36 pm |
Great to read! I am myself very intersted in this tree and I do also try to spread the message of the advantages and the potentials with growing Moringa http://goo.gl/sBxeC
March 8, 2013 at 2:13 pm |
Plz i would like to ve some of d seeds for planting i don’t know how to get them
March 11, 2013 at 6:18 pm |
@ Mary: you can get the seeds, and even seedlings. You can call me on +234(0)8032828187 .
April 17, 2013 at 9:18 am |
Hello Francis,i am touched by your story. I am presently in Akure, Ondo State. I hope to partner with you in my new Moringa adventure. Keep the flag flying.
May 11, 2013 at 5:23 pm |
Super-Duperre web site! I’m loving it! ‘Will come back again – obtaining you to eat, give Thanks.
August 15, 2013 at 6:47 pm |
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The words in your article seem to be running off
the screen in Internet explorer. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to
let you know. The design look great though!
Hope you get the issue resolved soon. Cheers
September 15, 2013 at 2:34 am |
one seed one miracle , uncountable seeds uncountable miracle moringa miracle has no end
March 23, 2015 at 7:00 pm |
Congratulation Francis. We at Ami Farm House will support you. Ami farm House is the largest Moringa farmer East of the Niger, with a Moringa farm yard expanding close to 800 acres now. Congratulations. Our email is lifeteagroup@gmail.com
June 24, 2020 at 12:25 pm |
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