Sir Emeka Okwuosa has said that sustainable collaboration and partnership are essential in addressing the challenges facing Nigeria and Nigerians.
The philanthropist and Chairman of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) expressed this in Lagos during the foundation’s flagship Gala Night.
The crux of the event, Okwuosa noted, was to celebrate the impact and accomplishments of the foundation across Nigeria through their work in healthcare, education and socio-economic empowerment programmes.
Okwuosa lamented that an estimated 20 million Nigerian children, aged 6 to 18, are currently without access to education. He expressed sadness over the high rate of unemployment that is pushing youth into more vulnerable positions where survival becomes a daily struggle.
“Witnessing my fellow Nigerians endure such hardships without attempting to alleviate their suffering is something I find impossible,” he said.
According to Okwuosa, SEOF has been impacting lives and communities in over 14 states in Nigeria: Anambra, Borno, Adamawa, Kaduna, Abuja (FCT), Kogi, Oyo, Ekiti, Edo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Delta, Imo, and Abia.
He stated that in recent times, the foundation has been able to award over 130 scholarships through its education programme, facilitated $217,939 for 34 open-heart surgeries at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) in 2022, and offered primary healthcare services to over 566 beneficiaries in the same year.
He stated that their socio-economic impacts have helped many individuals and communities to earn a modest living. Some of the socio-economic initiatives include the construction of garri processing plants, the donation of motorcycles, and the provision of employment and other opportunities.
Executive members of the Texas-based Vincent Ohaju Obioma Memorial (VOOM) Foundation − Dr Vincent Ohaju; Founder, Shawn Andaya-Pulliam; Executive Director, and Adanna Akujuo; Board Member spoke virtually at the event. They said that their partnership with SOEF and the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH) is helping Nigerians in positive ways.
Adanna Akujuo, Board Member of VOOM, said their partnership with SOEF and DIOMH has brought healthcare to many Nigerians who do not have access to healthcare, adding that they look forward to continuing the partnership.
The foundation noted that in 2024, it will introduce other programmes such as the Women Enterprise Programme and the Agro Cluster Cooperative Programme that will help individuals and families improve their lives and businesses.
In the foundation’s bid to address some of the problems underprivileged Nigerians are facing, Okwuosa said they aim to teach their beneficiaries how to fish by empowering and equipping them with skills.
A member of the foundation’s Board of Trustees, Chibundu Okwuosa-Nwadei, said that lifting people has always driven the work that they do to sustainably impact the lives of individuals they encounter.
“We believe that when we have a positive impact on one person’s life, they can impact others.” She said.
In the course of the event, the artworks of Janet Adebayo, and those of Kanye Okeke – a 13-year-old boy living with autism – were auctioned. Mr and Mrs Tagbo Okeke, parents of Kanye, appreciated Sir Emeka Okwuosa for supporting their son’s art and craft, and for sponsoring his works for international exhibitions.
During the three-part documentary screening at the event, some of the trustees, staff, and beneficiaries of SOEF shared their stories, encounters and experiences of how the foundation has impacted them and their communities.
Other important guests at the event included Ifeoma Okwuosa; Dr Theo Osanakpo; Mrs Nneka Onyeali-Ikpo, Managing Director of Fidelity Bank; Hon. Azuka Okwuosa; Chief Timi Alaibe; Chief and Mrs Chika Okafor, Chairman, Chikason Group, Osagie Okonbor, Chair of Shell Africa, Dr Chima Nwagboso, Medical Director of Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital; Senator Abdulahi Abubakar; Chief Vincent Ebuh, chairman, Petrolog Group; among others.
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