Foundation Springs up in Umunneochi, Targets Health, Education, Socio-economic Needs of People

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

A grassroots-based nongovernmental organisation has emerged in Umunneochi Local Government Area of Abia State with a focus on activities on medical, economic, social, and educational needs of the people of the area.

The Oluebube A. Chukwu Foundation (OACF) has announced its emergence at the weekend  during its maiden outreach programme held at Nkwoegu Isuochi, the council headquarters.

Founder of the Foundation, Chief Oluebube A. Chukwu, said the foundation was a dream come true for him having been nursing the idea of having a platform to help people in need.

He said he was inspired as a child to offer assistance to others after being influenced by the godly lifestyle of his parents, Professor Amarauche and Mrs. Chinonso Chukwu.

Chukwu said the foundation, which was formally registered in August 2023, has its areas of focus as philanthropy, family support, and provision of general health services to the underserved.

He also noted that OACF is providing scholarship to bright but indigent students, enhancing agricultural development, providing grants/micro lending to small business owners, as well as “providing mentorship in areas we serve.”

The maiden outing of the foundation is hinged on four key components, including scholarship, small business grants, family support packages, and medical mission, all aimed at making life easier for the less-privileged.

Chukwu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the Abia State Governor on Due Process, explained that the inaugural scholarship awards targeted brilliant but indigent pupils and students in primary and junior secondary schools drawn from public schools.

He said scholarship awards at this level of education was necessary because “once the education foundation is right, it will become less daunting for the awardees as they grow and navigate their way through other levels of education.”

According to him, the scholarships would be awarded on annual basis and reviewed based on the recipients’ academic progress, adding that in due course the Foundation would extend it to senior secondary and tertiary education.

He stated that the Foundation promotes the local economy by providing small business grants to petty traders, mostly women, with 16 carefully selected beneficiaries given cash grants at the maiden edition.

In the family support packs, 40 selected families were given food items to stock their supplies “to reduce pressure faced in the households.”