“Challenge 100 is about making things happen – investing in projects, small and big, that can change people’s lives forever. It’s a personal challenge for us, but we would like you to make it your challenge too.” These were the words of OgbonnayaAmazu on his vision to make a difference in the world from his own little corner.
Amazu who along with his wife, Joy, have challenged themselves to fund 100 most inspiring projects in Nigeria, Africa, Britain and around the world, while taking on landmark challenges like jet skiing, are doing this to mark Nigeria’s 100 year journey from a new country founded in 1914 to a thriving democracy and Africa’s biggest economy. For the jet ski challenge, Amazu brought on a teammate, seasoned explorer, Captain Justin Packshaw.
In a bid to take this gesture a step further they were in Nigeria recently on a jet ski expedition. Jet skiing is famously a leisure and a competitive sport. Amazu repurposed its fame to become a tool for charity.
Teammates, Amazu and Packshaw began their journey from Calabar through the Bakasi Peninsula down the Gulf of Guinea onto the Niger Delta, and then the Bight of Benin before ending in Lagos.
Expressing their worries before they embarked on the expedition, Packshaw, who was visiting Nigeria for the first time said that: “I really don’t have any worries aside maybe pirates as I’ve previously heard of the Niger Delta. Otherwise, I’m fully prepared to take the Challenge head-on. For Amazu, it was an adventure to look forward to: “because I want to raise as much awareness as I can on Challenge 100.”
With the aid of the Nigerian Navy based at the Calabar Marina, the team stocked up on food, fuel and other supplies, and left the Calabar Naval Base for the 853 kilometre journey on two jet skis.
In spite of heavy rainfall and the scare of being ambushed by pirates in the different regions, amongst other worries, the pair said they were motivated to see their mission through to the end by their passion for adventure and most importantly the consciousness of the fact that the end result would be for the good of humanity.
A couple of hours after they had set out the Nigerian factor set in. Debris got in the way of the jet skis so much so that every now and again the machines had to be quenched to manually get rid of them. As if determined to get in their way, nature took its tool as very heavy rainfall began and went on for no less than three hours, forcing the team to temporarily abort their mission until the coast was clear.
With the unforeseen stops the expected two day journey dragged on to four days with sleep overs on the ocean in the middle of nowhere on the naval vessel which accompanied and helped them navigate the different terrains. They had a second sleep over on Bonny Island. For the sake of charity, as soon as the coast was again clear, they set out on their way; not looking back until they reached the finish line, Lagos.
Amazu, who had earlier in the year completed one other challenge skiing to the Isle of Wright with Packshaw, encouraged those interested in being a part of the Challenge to inform them on inspiring projects anywhere in the world that will change lives forever, emphasises that one need not be a Bill Gates to make a difference. “Bill Gates is one of the biggest givers in the world and he makes noise about what he do. He is very public about it. It isn’t because he wants to show off but he want to encourage people to do something to impact lives.”
He stressed: “We don’t want money but you can assist us indirectly. If we can inspire you to do a race for cancer, it is okay. If your neighbour needs Agege bread of N20.00 and you know you have the means, buy it for him/her. Life is about giving. It’s like a case of building a lifestyle of giving and giving in a way that is without question, argument and stress. You just close your eyes and give the same way you want to receive without anybody questioning you or asking for the motivation.
“For us, our goal is to get involved with 100 charity projects around the world, not only in Nigeria but anywhere in the world. And we are open to people who can tell us anything in their community which they think is a good idea; whether they are building a hospital or paying for 100 kids to go to primary school from start to finish, we don’t mind. We want to do 100 projects in five years around the world. For instance, we have sponsored the Walking Wounded (British Soldiers who were wounded) with Captain Packshaw my expedition partner in this project. In November this year, they are going to the South Pole. The idea is to ensure that we have 100 of these things anywhere in the world.”
Funding 100 projects across the world may sound difficult, but the goal, Amazu says, is that: “I’ll challenge myself to fund it in five years. We are not asking for money from anybody. We’re saying that if you identify a project and an architect says it will cost $40,000 and you want to contribute, we will give you the contact of the architect, you verify, have your impact in the project, pay them directly and let’s do it quickly.”
Explaining why it is important to take this beyond Nigeria, the father of two said: “Don’t forget that Nigerians are literally everywhere. If the fire can be ignited in Nigeria it is okay. My father said something before he died that you can impact lives from anywhere. I don’t have to champion a particular cause because it is good for me. No. Different needs of various communities differ, as family needs differ. We need to trigger kindness that will attract various individuals to want to be part of this project back in Nigeria and spread the tentacles to different parts of the world.
“Everybody has paid the prize to become rich and once you have paid that prize you want to enjoy the fruits of that labour. So as you enjoy your riches let’s remember the less privileged. You can enjoy all your luxury, and your resources. It is fine. My goal is to target the rich for them to do something. If you spend 40,000 pounds a year on something you like that’s fine. Don’t deny yourself of what you like. But try setting aside 5,000 pounds every year and that money can put 25 kids through public primary education. A drop in the ocean goes a long way. Anything we are giving is about human endeavours which cut across the rich, the poor, east, west, north.”
Come August Amazu and his team will be engaging in Challenge Strive: Run, Cycle and Climb.
