Project Smile enhances initiative, winners confidence

Funmilayo Olufa is a beautiful civil servant with Federal College of Education, Akoka, Lagos. In 2006, she had a vehicle accident that disfigured her set of teeth and her speech became impaired subsequently. Her family could not raise enough money for a major treatment. Because of her damaged set of teeth and her impaired speech, Funmi suffered social disconnection. In this course, she handed her fate to God.

Early this year, when she heard about Project Smile, a CSR-based complimentary smile dental makeover initiative, sponsored by foremost oral healthcare brand in Nigeria, Oral-B, she applied in the severe category to have her teeth corrected. Last week at the selection of winners for the 2015 of Project Smile Makeover, Funmi was called as the winner of the severe category.

“I lost many chances because of my dental challenge due to vehicle accident along Ogba- Coker. Psychologically I was not balanced. But it was when I gave it to God that solution came”. In a state of euphoria, Funmilayo Olufa thanked the organizers of Project Smile and eulogized the initiative.

While Funmi won in the severe category, Omobola Abodurin, a digital brand strategist was adopted as a beneficiary in the severe category. In the Moderate Category, Rotimi Faleye, an entrepreneur clinched the winner status while Ibiene George, an officer with an Abuja-based NGO  and Chukwudumebi Olannye, a Student of Babcock University were adopted. The third category termed as the Mild cases had Jesse Ekwuruibe, a military personnel emerged as the winner while Isaac Brown, a Student of the National Open University, Lagos and Madonna Oguejifor, current NYSC member were adopted.

According to Faleye, “I am very happy. I am excited. Before, it was hard to communicate with people as they look at my set of teeth”. On her own account, Ibiene George said people were always making her conscious of her dental challenge than they listen to what she has to say.

All the winners were excited at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, venue of the award as they believe that the makeover treatment will return their confidence.

Among the guests was the wife of the Vice President, Dolapo Osinbajo, cladded in a predominantly pink & green -pattern African print  with an inspiring speech in support of the Project Smile cause. She commended the initiative and applauded the vision as noble and worthy of encouragement to better the society.

The event which began with a red carpet reception and cocktails also had in attendance notable figures from the corporate arena, media landscape and entertainment sphere. In attendance were  Dele Momodu, Publisher of Ovation International; Tonye Cole, CEO, Sahara Group; Bukky George, CEO, HealthPlus; Tonye Garrick; Maje Ayida, Celebrity Fitness Consultant; Funmi Ashiwaju, VP, Nigerian Dental Association; Clare Omatseye, MD, JNC International Ltd., Uzoma Dozie, GMD/CEO, Diamond Bank and others.

The event was anchored by renowned Master of Ceremony who anchors the Big Brother Africa Reality Show till date, IK Osakioduwa.