Nollywood diva and controversial actress, Empress Njamah, has carved a niche for herself by indulging in so many humanitarian activities. Every year, she stages nothing less than eight different philanthropic activities in order to celebrate the less privileged. The CEO of House Of Empress Foundation (HOE) and one of our most eligible bachelorettes opened up to YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine’s GBENGA SHABA on why she loves identifying with the less privileged and her new philanthropic lifestyle…
How old is the Empress Njamah Foundation and what has kept it going?
The foundation is nine years old and I must say it’s the “God” factor that has kept it going; not me.
How did you come about it?
I came about the foundation due to the overwhelming occurrence of child negligence. I was moved to do something. At least, start somewhere by giving them that tiny ray of hope and I still intend to do more with the help of the Almighty.
How many times do you celebrate with these less privileged children in a year?
It is not easy staging all the parties, but I can only thank God for being faithful. Within the space of 12 months and 365days in a year, House Of Empress Foundation organises nothing less than eight parties, every year. I staged a party during the Valentine season, which is done in order to express my love; I celebrate with them on Children’s Day, Easter, Democracy Day, Independence Day, Christmas and of course, I do celebrate my birthday with them. I stage all these parties not because I just want to throw money around, but I organise all these parties in order to make these children believe they are loved and can be cared for. At the same time, not to make them feel bad about themselves.
How was the last one you staged?
On February 14th, as a way of expressing my love, I paid a courtesy visit to Garki Hospital, where I did not only meet with the children and other patients in the wards, I also did not go there empty handed as I gave them gift bags to show how much I love and care about them. I also visited some of the homes run by House Of Empress Foundation: “Hope for Survival”, “Christ Foundation Orphanage”, to mention a few.
What are the challenges so far?
Well, I must say here that it’s been really turbulent, but God is faithful and will always be. At the same time, I do not see challenges, I only see opportunities to make things better. I do not see challenges because it skyrockets me to the next level and makes me stronger.
Easter is around the corner, what are your plans for the less privileged?
The same thing I have been doing all these years. I will not only provide for their basic and educational needs, I also organise a programme whereby I invite music artistes and some of my colleagues in the movie industry to come and have fun with the kids. It will be a full day of fun as there will also be food and drinks to go round.
How do you get to raise funds for your humanitarian activities?
It’s not been easy though. Like I mentioned earlier on, the “God” factor always miraculously weathers the storm. It’s part of how I pay my tithe. I have never gotten funds from a soul, government or friends. It has been my sweat all the way and House of Empress has been supportive too.
How do you always feel anytime you celebrate with the less privileged?
I feel fulfilled as a person, because growing up as a child in church, I was taught to always help those in need and by doing that, your giving brings a ray of hope that he/she thought had been dashed, thereby bringing God’s blessings upon you. I celebrate them all the time, not just on my birthday. The foundation celebrates with the kids every month. It brings joy to me when ever I am with them; I feel loads of joy and happiness which words can’t explain.
Aside food and music, what else do these children stand to gain?
Aside dishing out gifts to them and continuously inducing that positive mentality into them, we have a lot of things we also do that make them happy. One of such things is called ‘The Workshop’. We introduce them to so many things which keep them busy. Things like art and craft, matting, moulding and drawings (we pay people who come to train them). The girls learn catering too and so many other things and if you do it right, aunty Empress picks the top ones and then gives them a treat: movies, outings, dinner and many more. It depends.
What does House of Empress stand for?
Just like a house with many rooms, HOE is a firm with many departments. From the clothes line to the multi-purpose unisex saloon to the events planning section and also interior décor. We are unisex and everything is under one umbrella.
What inspired it?
Like I said, the “God” factor. Everything happened for a reason. Back in the days, friends always asked, called me to help them combine stuff or called and asked what they should buy in terms of fashion items. I love to dress people, so I guess that was part of how I thought why don’t I just do this? Here I am, doing it and till date, I dress up people for events and so on!
What were the challenges of setting it up?
You know money, they say, answers all things. So, I had a bit of financial challenge and then the perfect location. It was not easy, but I thank God.
What inspires your fashion?
Colors, the environment… My mood, my mom. Because, she was and is still a fashionista in her hey days. I guess it runs in the family. I’m really not the vogue kind of person or the type who wears what’s in fashion. I am just that jean kind of a person and I love dinner wears too.