Aruk Omori – IVP for Africa
My name is Aruk O Omori (Mrs), a Nigerian from Calabar in Cross River State. I’m married with 3 children. My key skills are strong work ethics, team building and supervision, effective use of social media for communication and work advancement. I’m a team player, dedicated, loyal and committed to working with existing facilities and personnel towards the attainment of organisational goals.
I’m currently the Principal of Government Secondary School, Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria; the Vice-Chairman of All Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) in Cross River State and Chairman of the same professional body in Akpabuyo Local Government Area in Cross River State, Nigeria; and a member of the Nigerian Union of Teachers.
I’m an Alumnus of the University of Calabar and I hold a Bachelor’s Degree (B.Ed) in Adult Education/Religion and a Master’s Degree (M.Ed) in Community Development.
I’m a committed Christian woman with a passion to improve, preserve and strengthen the vision and integrity of the Girls’ Brigade on behalf of the Girls’ Brigade International Council. I’ve been involved in the education of children, youth and women for over a decade; a member of the Christian Women’s Guild (CWG) of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria; and a mother/mentor of Christian Girls In Training (CGIT).
I’ve held the position of Company Captain (GBN, 13th Calabar Company), State Secretary (GBN, Cross River State Council), Assistant National Secretary (GBN, National Council), and Zonal Ex-Officio (GBN, Zone 5).
I’ve been involved in the planning and execution of Annual General Meetings (AGM) and also at girls and officers’ retraining camps etc.
In my new role as African Fellowship President, I hope to, among other commitments, set key strategic direction for the growth and development of the ministry of The Girls’ Brigade in Africa. I hope to stimulate National Councils within Africa to engage with key issues facing the Church and Christian ministry in their environment. Finally, I hope to accomplish the continuous unification of the Girls’ Brigade family in Africa and beyond.
Distinguished Service award 2018
The Zambia Woman Days’s Board have awarded their Distinguished Service award 2018 to our very own ex International President Mrs Ruth Chikasa. Congratulations to you Ruth! The award is in recognition of her services in improving living standards in rural Zambia and for her role in advocacy work in GB worldwide.
Ruth says, ‘This award is for every leader and young girl in Brigade who dares to dream. I thank GBI for giving me a platform from which I could dance and be noticed! But no one dances without a drummer and singers, so this is to all of us who produce the music, the rhythm and the stage for transformation to take place in the lives of all those we are so privileged to serve! To you my co workers in Christ, this award is for you too! You are my Women of the Year each and every year!
THE AFRICA FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE
Around 90 delegates from around the continent of Africa met at the Pentecost Convention Centre, Accra, for their biennial conference. After opening worship, with members of THE GATHERING and a parade with the Ghanaian National Band, they met to conduct the business of the fellowship.
They were privileged to have with them our International President who led them through the week, in exploring their theme ‘GO BUILD A NEW NATION FOR GOD’S KINGDOM.’ Alongside all that, they welcomed a range of speakers who helped them to explore the multitude of issues prevalent in their African cultures, which affect the girls in their countries. Prompted by the International President they also considered the traditions in GB which may hinder rather than help GB in attracting young people for Jesus.
At their final business meeting the Fellowship commissioned Aruk Omori (Nigeria) as she prepares to take up her newly elected role as IVP Africa. Priscila Penny (Zimbabwe) was thanked for her eight years of faithful service to the Fellowship. Please pray for both these ladies of God during their period of transition.
Africa Fellowship Leaders’ Conference 2017
GO BUILD A NEW NATION FOR CHRIST’S KINGDOM!
What a challenge this is!
Please pray for our GB friends from Africa who are gathering together in Accra, Ghana, for their Fellowship conference in August. They are privileged to be partnering with Guest Facilitators: Kimberly M. Speights (Founder/Executive Director of Empowered to Overcome Inc.) and Bianca Hawk (Leadership & Mentoring Program, LAMP Director. Find out more http://www.girlsbrigadeafrica.org
4th Harare, Zimbabwe celebrates 2nd Anniversary
Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. I am thankful for 2 years of GB ministry in Hatfield, Harare. My name is Captain Isabel Macaullay I grew up in GB from the ages of 6 to 13 years when our company closed down and that was it! Only when I turned 37 years I realised that something was missing in the lives of my daughter and two beloved nieces. Upon much reflection and thought I discovered that the missing link was GB. I recalled how much I learnt from GB, the fun we had and the fellowship that we shared.
I searched for GB on the internet and was led to Mrs. P. Penny IVP Africa and Mrs. B. Laurence Zimbabwe National President. I began attending leaders training and meetings. I struggled to begin the work but a year later I re-opened the Company I attended during my early years at the Presbyterian Church.
We held our first lesson on 6 February 2015 with 2 girls. We thank the Lord for growth, within two years we have had 18 girls and 1 officer added to our number. Our girls enjoy the lessons, the journey has been truly amazing. Parents have been very supportive and are pleased with the positive impact the GB programme has had on their daughters.
Our girls were so excited as we went through the Be Courageous International Focus 2016 resource. They became aware that they are part of an International organisation and something much bigger than they ever imagined! Our explorers loved to hear Margret Lyttle’s story. Our Juniors discovered that while we are different there are so many things that unite us such as our GB crest and our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrated this occasion on 10 February.
Africa Update
Priscilla Penny (International Vice President, Africa) tells us what’s happening in the African Fellowship.
GB has no dull moment! Let me tell you about 3 of the things I’ve recently taken part in across Africa:
Nigeria AGM
After flying into Abuja, Nigeria, I had to travel for 17 hours by road to get to the venue, but it was worth it to see the many women that had attended. All 27 of Nigeria’s states were represented, with 300 officers and 6 state chaplains present. Some had even driven for more than 10 hours to be there!
I was privileged to meet with delegates from Bono State where there is a big Boko Haram presence and from where the Chibok girls were abducted. This is the first time in years they have been able to participate in any national event. Please continue to pray for them and for the Chibok girls.
There was lots to discuss at the AGM. It is an exciting time for the new executive who were elected in 2015. GB Nigeria has been looking to purchase land for some time now, and a new opportunity has arisen, so there was lots of conversation around this. Please pray for the success of this project. I also led sessions on Fellowship and International Relations. The officers were very interested in the many resources available on the GB Worldwide website.
Ghana ‘All Captains Seminar’
I then travelled to Ghana to a seminar that was attended by 250 Captains from across Ghana. Girls’ Brigade is very big in Ghana, with many members. I talked to the Captains about membership and international relations. We discussed the responsibilities of being a member, and how we can all contribute to the ‘Give A Girl A Hope’ fund.
The Gathering 2017
In 2017 Ghana will be the home of ‘The Gathering’ – an event for young people from across GB Worldwide. I was grateful to meet with the planning team, and pleased to see that things are in place for the event. The team look forward to hearing final numbers from each fellowship, and to receiving the logo so they can start printing and writing invitations. Plans are in place for a day out and a range of activities, which the team can’t wait to share with the delegates.
In conclusion, Africa is geared to host the next Gathering in 2017 and we are looking forward to hearing from the planning team soon!
Chibok Girls: 731 days on
731 days on and 219 young women remain missing and separated from their families in Nigeria.
On 14/15 April 2016, it will be the two year anniversary of the abduction of the Chibok Girls in Nigeria. GB International is asking all its members and friends to join together in praying for these young women and the many others affected by Boko Haram’s violence.
You can download this short adaptable GB prayer here and use it in GB, in church or in many other ways. The prayer can be linked with practical action through GB International’s Cards of Hope initiative or through the Hope for Girls resource. And remember, it can be used any time.
The resource also provides an update on the difficult situation in Nigeria and urges us to pray for these young women, the many other people who have been affected by violence as well as their families. Since 2009, 15,000 people have been killed and over 2 million have been forced to leave their homes
As a movement, Girls’ Brigade cares about how girls around the world are treated. We aim to bring hope into girls’ lives, and freedom brings hope! That’s why Girls’ Brigade members from around the world are joining together to pray for the Chibok school girls in Nigeria (six of whom are members of The Girls’ Brigade).
Please join us as we continue to raise hope for girls.
I am a girl. I am limitless.
What an amazing challenge 18- 35 year olds in GB Africa will be facing in December (12th – 19th) when they meet in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the Unite Africa Gathering
Sessions ranging from career advice to sex and reproduction; understanding culture to being empowered as a Christian woman will certainly have an impact as the women get together and look at life in Africa and globally through the eyes of God’s love for them.
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New Girls’ Brigade in Uganda
Girls’ Brigade International is excited to report that we have a new company of Girls’ Brigade being formed in Uganda. This is the story of how it happened!
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The Gathering: December 2013
Venue: ‘Nerina’ campus, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa .
Dates: 7th – 14th December 2013.
GB Africa is proud to be hosting The Gathering as a special celebration of GB’s 120th year in mission.
This is the first ever ‘Gathering’ event for young women in GB around the world, and is being planned and delivered by a small team of women from different parts of the world, alongside the GB South Africa host team.
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