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Teaching, healing and connecting as Emirates supports Autism

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Teaching, healing and connecting as Emirates supports Autism

 

With World Autism Awareness Day approaching, the Emirates Airline Foundation has put the spotlight on the hurdles that children with autism faced in the last year, and the important role that special educational institutions play in ensuring these children fulfil their potential by providing them with access to the programmes and resources they needed.

 

 

 

 

The Safe Centre for Autism opened its new facility for children’s special education needs in 2019, only to shut its doors to support the UAE government’s efforts to curb the spread of Covid-19. The 2020 school closures presented unique challenges for many children and young adults, but it was particularly disruptive to children on the autism spectrum who thrive on routine and stability.

 

 

 

 

 

During the pandemic, Safe Centre team was on hand to support parents, providing online instruction to children where possible and guiding parents with practical, safe strategies and activities to help meet the sensory and motor needs of their children while at home.

 

 

 

 

 

 

When it was time to come back to Safe Centre, the team helped transition the children to return to their educational settings successfully with a special two month programme. The programme included dividing students into different groups, focusing on one to one activities, as well as directly teaching, modelling and practicing routines and behaviours to alleviate student anxiety as they returned to their educational settings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

. The school is currently supporting 52 students on the autism spectrum, facilitating classes and sessions for four students per classroom in accordance with Covid-19 precautionary measures. All safety measures and hygiene standards continue to be adhered to in the classrooms and across the Safe Centre facilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Support of the newly built Safe Centre facilities is part of Emirates Airline Foundation’s positive work that supports communities in providing children with opportunities to realise their full potential.
The Emirates Airline Foundation has been supporting Safe Centre since 2012, and more recently helped fund its new 20,000 square foot state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate and support more than 100 children. Safe Centre moved into its new facility in January 2019, after construction was completed on the new building.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Safe Centre facilities include 12 classrooms, which are all connected to their own private, small play areas and restrooms so teaching staff can easily observe students practicing daily hygiene activities. In addition, all classrooms are equipped with their own smart boards, telecommunications tools and a number of other resources that are readily available to be used at any time. There are also three speech and occupational therapy rooms, equipment rooms, designated sensory areas, a library, dining rooms, indoor and outdoor play areas, a swimming pool, music and art facilities, a vocational room, as well as a conference room, clinic and nurse station.

 

 

 

 

 

Safe Centre has also been working with the Ministry of Community Development to add two new services, which include vocational training and teaching of life skills to enable those with autism to productively enter the workforce. Safe Centre is also providing one to one sessions to provide speech and occupational therapy, which are both essential for students with autism. Safe Centre also has a resident Board Certified Behaviour Analyst who supervises and actively manages the children’s progress to ensure that they are achieving their goals.
The Safe Centre is currently utilising the VB-MAPP curriculum, which is designed specifically for children with autism.
Established in 2010, the Safe Centre for Autism is a not-for-profit, special education centre that caters for students who struggle with behavioural or developmental difficulties, Autism , speech and language delays, and sensory deficits.

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Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

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Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

Nigerian Travel Creator Alma Asinobi Falls Short of Guinness World Record Due to Visa Delays

Nigerian travel content creator Alma Asinobi may not be setting a new Guinness World Record for the fastest journey across all seven continents after visa-related delays prevented her from reaching Sydney, Australia, within the required time.

In an Instagram update on Sunday, Asinobi, who is still en route to Sydney, confirmed that her total journey time would be 71 hours and 35 minutes, falling short of the current record of 64 hours, set in February 2025 by American veteran Johnny Cruz Buckingham.

Reflecting on her attempt, she noted that had she been competing against the previous record of 73 hours, set by Indian travelers in 2022, she would have surpassed it. However, multiple setbacks meant that by the time she made her announcement, she had already spent 63 hours, 54 minutes, and 33 seconds traveling, making it impossible to surpass Buckingham’s 64-hour record.

Asinobi faced numerous obstacles throughout her attempt, particularly due to visa restrictions associated with her Nigerian passport. One of the major setbacks occurred when she was denied boarding on her flight to Perth, Australia, forcing her to rebook on a later flight to Sydney.

In her Instagram post, she reflected on the challenges she encountered, including unexpected disruptions such as the Heathrow Airport fire that further complicated her travel plans.

“So close, but so far away. I may not have won this one, but we can sure win the next one together,” she wrote. “My eyes may be swollen from all the tears I’ve cried, but I promise to find moments of laughter in between.”

Despite the setback, Asinobi emphasized that her journey was about more than just breaking a record. She expressed hope that her attempt would inspire others to take on challenges, regardless of the limitations they face.

“When I land, we will catch up on lives and pour our hearts out to each other. For now, let’s finish this! I really hope this attempt was worth something for a Nigerian out there,” she added.

Now shifting her focus to her homecoming event on March 30, Asinobi aims to set another record by gathering Nigerians to sign a national flag in solidarity.

“We still have one more record to break at the homecoming event on March 30, where we will make history by signing our Nigerian flag,” she wrote. “I can’t wait to see you all there. I totally and physically cannot do that one without you, so please show up for me.”

Throughout her journey, Asinobi has been vocal about the difficulties Nigerian passport holders face, including complex visa requirements, expensive travel arrangements, and last-minute flight cancellations. Her experience has sparked widespread discussions on passport inequality and the barriers restricting global mobility for citizens of certain countries.

While she may not be taking home the Guinness World Record, Asinobi’s attempt has garnered widespread support, with many rallying behind her efforts.

“You did win! A personal win, a win for Nigerians, a win for me as a fellow Black girl navigating the world without passport privilege,” one supporter commented on her post.

Despite the challenges, Asinobi remains determined to continue making history and inspiring others to push beyond their limitations.

 

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Those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry” – Prudent Ludidi

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Those who wronged you may never say "I'm sorry" - Prudent Ludidi

Those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry” – Prudent Ludidi

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I want to talk about something that can be difficult to accept, those who wronged you may never say “I’m sorry.”

 

Those who wronged you may never say "I'm sorry" - Prudent Ludidi

We’ve all been hurt by someone at some point in our lives. And often, we hold onto that hurt, and hope in waiting for the person who wronged us to acknowledge their mistake and apologize.

But the truth is, that apology may never come.

It’s hard to accept because we feel like we deserve closure. We deserve to hear that the person who hurt us regrets their actions.

But closure is not something someone else gives you. Closure is something you give yourself.

You have the power to choose:

Choose to heal, even if they never acknowledge their wrongdoing
Choose to move forward, even if they never make amends

Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. Forgiveness means releasing the hold that person has on you.

Forgiveness means taking back control of your life.

You don’t need someone else’s apology to move on. You don’t need someone else’s validation to heal.

You are strong enough to do it on your own.

And when you do, you’ll find peace. You’ll find freedom.

Remember, holding onto anger and resentment only hurts you. It doesn’t change the past.

But forgiveness can change your future.

So, don’t wait for someone else to say “I’m sorry.” Say it to yourself: “I’m sorry that happened to me, but I’m moving forward.”

Say it loud and clear: “I deserve to heal. I deserve to be happy.”

Take back your power. Take back your life.

Move forward with courage and faith.

You got this.

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LSACA, HEFAMAA,NAFDAC ,AVILA NATURALLE,OTHERS SET TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE WEST AFRICA SPA AND COSMETOLOGISTS RECOGNITION AWARD 2024

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LSACA, HEFAMAA,NAFDAC ,AVILA NATURALLE,OTHERS SET TO RECEIVE AWARDS AT THE WEST AFRICA SPA AND COSMETOLOGISTS RECOGNITION AWARD 2024

 

The west Africa Spa and cosmetologists recognition Award ,the first of its kind in Africa an event collaboration with Ghana Cosmetics Association holds at the prestigious Oriental Hotel lagos

An industry based award to honor legends ,stakeholders and cosmetologists in the beauty Industry ,Regulators and health Agencies

The organisers of the programme is poised with the development of this sector within the west Africa region using quality , safety and Professionalism as a watchword in the quest for products promotion and distribution.

The award will be used to promote individuals and brands in the Beauty Sector who have given their best in the development of beauty in west Africa.

As the drive for continental free trade Area hots up ,the founder of the programme Mr Chukwumah Emmanuel a Public Health Practitioner and the National President of Professional Association of Spa and Cosmetologists in Nigeria says that the perspective of this event is centered on encouragement and Networking within the sub region.

Other awardees for this event include Lagos Safety Commission, Beauty West Africa,and America Nigeria chambers of Commerce

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