.Builds houses for the poor
By EDISON Okereke
The New International Webster’s Comprehensive Dictionary of the English Language –Deluxe Encyclopedia Edition –defines philanthropy as “Disposition or effort to promote the happiness or social elevation of mankind, DESIRE, effort, or beneficence, as by making donations, intended to mitigate social evils and increase social comfort; comprehensive benevolence, but often specific in its objects, literally, love of mankind (page 948).
Philanthropy is an effort an individual or organisation undertakes based on an altruistic DESIRE to improve human welfare.
It refers to charitable acts or other good works, like efforts that help others or that contribute to the wellbeing of society.
A close look at the preceding definitions shows that in any philanthropic act there must be the DESIRE (emphasis mine) to help carry the economic cross or burden of the other person.
Just like James says, “Faith without works is dead.” (James 2 : 26).
Simon of Cyrene is famous for being a man who carried Jesus Christ’s cross, so does ‘The Odoeme Foundation has decided to help alleviate the sufferings of the masses of the people with a religious fervour.
Just in 2023, The Odoeme Foundation crept into society with its bags of goodies, one of which was giving out free sanitary pads to both primary and secondary school pupils and students in the state, particularly people from Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area, one of the food baskets of the councils across the twenty-seven areas of the state and the country home of the founder with the avowed determination not only to give his people fish but also to teach them how to catch fish to enable them (to) eat fish all their lives.
In realisation of this noble objective, on Saturday, August 23, 2024, all roads led to Isinweke, the council headquarters, at St Cyprian’s Church premises precisely, which was filled up as two hundred women were each empowered with the sum of nonrefundable N100,000 to help them in their various trading efforts. That was not all.
Forty (40) youths were each similarly empowered with N500,000 interest-free soft loans to enable them go into farming with emphasis on crop and animal production to boost food production not only in the area but the state in general.
As lectures and free speeches were going on there on the judicious use of the financial facilities, alerts for the disbursement of the money were being received by the lucky beneficiaries.
Those who had no account numbers were encouraged to come forward for the cash collections there and then.
Speaking on “Sustainable Crop Farming Practice,” the keynote Speaker, Dr Mrs Pauline Mba, said it behoved on Nigerians to strive to end hunger in the land as Netherlands did sometime in the past.
“You and I can decide to end hunger in the country,” she quipped.
She regaled the audience with how Holland, the present day Netherlands was able to conquer hunger when the country was faced with starvation as it is today in the country by facing agriculture head-long.
“So today, in Nigeria, as you’re being empowered, put it to good uses,” she stated.
Another keynote Speaker, Professor Kingsley Onyebuchi Nworgu of the Department of Mass Communication of the Imo State University (IMSU) Owerri spoke on agriculture from the business point of view, and urged agriculturalists to think of what crops to cultivate to recover their expense, and for farmers to form cooperatives to enable them possibly pool their food items for exports.
Earlier in his speech which was viewed by the audience on a screen, the Chief Executive of the foundation, Ike Odoeme, explained that the assistance was borne out of his passion to help humanity which dates back to his childhood, adding that the initiative is to alleviate the people’s sufferings, to provide a platform to help the indigent women out of the economic quagmire.
He made it clear that the empowerment was not politically motivated as a bait as he is neither a politician nor contesting for any political position.
He averred that the sums were meant to assist petty traders, artisans, and farmers –to enable them to expand in bigger and better ways, to take care of themselves, their families, and to help others.
He said that he would consider 200 women with different skills, including those that fry akara balls ((bean cakes), petty farmers, in the Phase 1, to support them, to enable them become stronger in whatever trade they were engaged in.
“For youths too, I want to help them so that they can be able to help others. So we’re taking 100 youths and empowering them with N500,000 each for their different businesses and farming,” he said.
He asked the youth how best to help them for his foundation is ready to assist, advising those who did not receive, that they would in the days ahead.
Behind every successful man is a woman. Just as “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20 : 35), the Director behind it all, Mrs Eregbu Sylvia Marie, highlighted different programmes and packages of the foundation under health (surrogate, for couples; fibroid for women; free sanitary pads for the menstruating ones among the women, especially the younger ones, to avoid complications later on in their marriages, cancer programmes) assuring that plans were in the pipeline to bring them down to Ihitte-Uboma, (housing programme for the very poor women, etcetera), informing that the foundation had already built a clinic in the area for the women, and lots more other packages.
It could be noted that on the 2024 World Sanitary Day recently, the foundation distributed 10,000 sanitary pads to women and girls in all parts of the state.
“So today, we’re going to distribute, as the Chief Executive said, 200 women with N100,000 each. And we have 40 youths we’re going to give N500,000 each. Some of them have started receiving their alerts already. This money is to support your businesses. If you use it judiciously, we’ll give you more because we’re going to monitor you with our teams. Zenith Bank is here to help you form cooperatives,” she stated.
Marie advised the recipients to follow the activities of the foundation on Facebook and Instagram to update themselves on its programmes.
Also in her speech, the image maker of the foundation, Ese, explained that the foundation’s Phase 1 Project Mount has four (4) items: a N20m empowerment scheme for two hundred women for its rural women business support; another N20m empowerment scheme for forty youths, at N500,000 each; Ten million naira (N10m) interest-free soft loans, and the apprenticeship hub which is meant to encourage the youth to acquire different skills of their choices with a view to being duly settled by the foundation on completion of their trainings.
Corroborating Ike Odoeme and Marie, Ese, among other things said, “Today marks the launching of the Project Mount Phase 1 Project. I think it is of immense pleasure as we come together to celebrate the vision, mission and accomplishments of The Ike Foundation established in the year 2023 as a nongovernmental and nonprofit organization with a singular purpose to be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for positive change in the lives of those who need it.
”Our foundation is built on three core pillars that define our approach and guide our efforts in empowering and developing properly women and youths and girls; nurturing, empowering the girls and addressing critical health issues that disproportionally affect females.
“Each of these areas represent not just a facet of our mission but a deep-seated belief in the potential of every individual to overcome challenges and thrive when given the right support and opportunities.
At the heart of out foundation lies a profound commitment to the empowerment of women and girls.
And we recognise that women and girls are often in the forefront of community development.Yet they face numerous barriers and challenges that hinder their progress.
“In Ike Odoeme Foundation, we are determined to dismantle these barriers by giving and providing resources and opportunities that proffer growth and independence.
Our programmes which include scholarship, vocational training and mentorship initiatives are designed to enhance skills, boost confidence and create sustainable path ways to the economic empowerment.
“Our commitment to youth development tends to the understanding that young people are the architects of our future.
“And it is important to note that the Ike Foundation is apolitical –that means it is not enshrined in any political party or associated with any government officials or appointees. Everything about the foundation comes from its founder’s pocket to help the people, because the foundation believes in the saying that “charity begins at home.”
Ben Franklin (1628-1790) once said, “The most acceptable service to God is doing good to man.”
According to the foundation’s media image maker, “Health is a fundamental pillar to the Ike Odoeme Foundation. And we are unwavering in our commitment in addressing the health challenges that disproportionately impact on women and girls. We understand that health can have far-reaching consequences not just on individuals but the entire family and community. Our initiative, therefore, focuses on providing access to healthcare services, creating awareness about critical health concerns while promoting preventive care.
“The Ike Odoeme Foundation, therefore, envisions a world in which women and girls are empowered, where youths are equipped with the skills to succeed. And where health disparities affecting females are eradicated….”
Indeed, this is a sworn declaration and must be commended by any lover of mankind considering that the Ike Odoeme Foundation works like a Trojan to live up to its claims.
As the book of Proverbs says at Chapter 13 verse 19: “Desire accomplished is sweet to the soul,”
Some of the recipients who got their alert notices for the empowerment acknowledged them publicly before the crowd.
They included a young man who gave his name simply as Chukwuemeka (N500,000), and one Lydia Emmanuel (N100,000) respectively, among others.
Two banks: Zenith Bank Plc and Keystone Bank Plc were in place to disburse the money and offer their financial advice, just like a caller from the Zenith Bank whose name escaped this reporter, and whose call was put on the speak-out, described the Ike Odoeme Foundation as “a talk and do non governmental organisation,” adding that the quantum of the empowerment was unprecedented.
She urged the recipients to put the money into viable ventures as a mark of gratitude to the foundation.
“Please we should be able to use our money judiciously,” the voice added.
Chief Imo and his wife, Margy commended the foundation for the initiative.
Lolo Margy noted that vegetable production is a good money earner.
The host traditional ruler, Eze Osita Okeke, urged the recipients of the N500,000 interest-free soft loans to take them seriously to enable them pay back, and prayed God to bless Ike Odoeme and his family.
Among those in attendance were Dr Innocent Ezeji who represented Archbishop David Onuoha; Rev Fr Christian Ejiofor, Rev Dr Ekene Onuoha, Vicar General Samuel Njoku, Rev Chukwuneme Joseph, Eze I U Onuoha, Eze D O Anyanwu, Eze Iheme, Eze Romanus, members of the Board of Ezumezu Isinweke, among others.
The empowerment featured free speeches, free gift items of rice, vests, face caps; and other forms of entertainment.
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