Emeka Okwuosa Foundation’s Gala Night

Ferdinand Ekechukwu

Clearly driven with the vision to sustain his family trait of giving a helping hand to those in need within their cycle of influence, Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF), has once again reiterated its aim to raise the bar for philanthropic gestures to underserved communities across the country. This is as he epitomizes that ‘boy’ that can be described as the son of his father, when he said “my father used the little income they had to take care of those who are in need of education and housing.” So, for him, extending a helping hand has been ingrained in his DNA, thus philanthropic values were instilled on him from cradle.

Speaking at a recent gala night which was organised to further inspire more people to join the foundation to put more smile on the faces of people, the Chairman, Sir Emeka Okuosa Foundation (SEOF), Emeka Okwuosa, stressed that they are targeting programs and projects that focuses on addressing fundamental needs and impacting lives sustainably.

He said: “While our primary areas of focus are education, healthcare, and socioeconomic empowerment, we have also completed significant sustainable infrastructure projects to help provide communities with long-term solutions to issues like climate change and erosion. Through our work, we aim to address some of the most pressing issues facing underserved communities, including poverty, inequality, and environmental challenges.

“As you read about the work that SEOF has done and plans to do, I hope that you will be inspired by the impact we are making in these areas to support us and to help your own communities. We have achieved some remarkable successes over the years but we know there is still much work to be done.”

 In light of the above, he expressed his deepest gratitude to all of their partners and supporters who grace the occasion and donated handsomely.

Showing appreciation, he stated, “Your unwavering dedication has enabled us to achieve our goals and provide assistance to more people than we could ever have envisioned when SEOF was founded. Your continued support is crucial to our success, and we look forward to working together to create a better and more equitable society for all.”

According to him, in 2022 alone, over 32 open-heart surgeries were performed at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital (DIOMH). Also, he stated that they have partnered with the Vincent Ohaju Obioma Memorial (VOOM) Foundation, a Texas-based foundation made up of volunteer-doctors, nurses, health workers and other support professions that has sustainable and life-saving open-heart surgery programmes in Nigeria.

For some beneficiaries of the open-heart surgery like Obasi Kelvin, Aweto Oghenetera and Usman Onu, life has been different. Kelvin said, “I am very grateful to the SELF for giving me this opportunity as a young boy and for helping my parents.”

Highlights of the event which attracted like-minded friends and associates of Sir Okwuosa, across all spheres of life witnessed the auction of art works, and a live band music that thrilled the audiences with soothing sounds. Notable guests were Timi Alaibe; the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank Plc, Nneka Onyeali-Ikpe and the Founding Executive Chairman/CEO of Chicason Group, Alexander Chika Okafor.