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The Less Privileged In Port Harcourt Smile, As OILSERV’S Emeka Okwuosa Clocks 60.
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: 19 August, 2021
The chairman of Oilserv Group, Engr. Sir Emeka Okwuosa recently clocked 60 years. As is customary during his birthdays, a team from the company farmed out to different parts of rivers state bearing financial and material gifts to the les privileged. Five of the charity homes each received a cash gift of 200,000 naira each, a deep freezer, food items and toiletries in large quantity and many more.
Speaking through his representative, the corporate communications manager, Mr. Emeka Opah, he praised the hard work and patience put in by managers of these homes. He wished them well and promised that through his foundation, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation, he will continue to identify with our less privileged brothers, sisters, friends, and children in the society. The elated recipients all prayed and praised Engr. Okwuosa for what has turned out to be an annual event for them. They prayed that God would bless the work of his hands, family, and company. They all prayed for a healthy long life so that he will continue to give back to humanity.
The Charity Train took the team to the following homes: SAVIOURS ORPHANAGE RUMUKRUSHI; LIFETIME CARING FOUNDATION, WOJI, NEW LAYOUT; COMPASSIONATE CENTRE; PORTHARCOURT CHILDRENS HOME, BOROKIRI; PRIESTHOOD ORPHANAGE ELELENWO and HOME FOR THE ELDERLY, OLD PORTHARCOURT TOWN.
The Matron of Port Harcourt Children’s Home, Ms. Gift Eke, thanked Engr. Okwuosa for remembering the less privilege at the times of his celebrations, and prayed that God should grant him more celebrations in his life. She promised that the Home will judiciously make use of the goods donated to them for the use of the inmates. At the Compassionate Center, run by Catholic Sisters, Rev. Sister Ugochi thanked Engr. Okwuosa and Oilserv for the mind- blowing donations given to them. The visit was rounded off at the Priesthood Orphanage Elelenwo, where the very young orphans left many eyes awash with tears with their prayers and sonorous heartrending songs. Engr. Emeka Okwuosa’s philanthropy has become legendary as he touches lives in many ways through the activities of his Foundation, The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.
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The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation Provides Free Medical Treatment, Builds Hospital In Anambra Community
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: 18th of December, 2021
The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF), in collaboration with the Voom Foundation from the United States, has carried out a three-day health week fair in the Oraifite community in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State.The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF), in collaboration with the Voom Foundation from the United States, has carried out a three-day health week fair in the Oraifite community in Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State.
The General Manager of SEOF, Amanda Obidike, noted that the essence of the health week fair was to bring basic medical equipment and services to the grassroots people, and to transform the face of healthcare delivery in the state and in Nigeria as a whole.
She stated that the Voom Foundation is partnering with SEOF because they believe that everyone, irrespective of their social class, should have quality healthcare service, adding that organizations like Voom are changing the face of the healthcare system in Nigeria with the aim of making intensive care and surgeries affordable for all.
She further stated that the partnership is also extended into the building of a state-of-the-art hospital, the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, where Voom will support SEOF with technical guidance on how to run the hospital.
“We collaborated with Voom to provide necessary treatments to arthritis, malaria, typhoid, ulcer, hypertension, chronic pains, diabetes and eye problems,” she said. “We look forward to partnering with them in the future as this will help us a great deal when we launch the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital for healthcare operations in 2022.”
She stated that the health missions’ team for the health fair consisted of medical assistants, general practitioners, and volunteers coming from the USA and from some teaching hospitals in the country.
Dr Vincent Ohaju, a trauma surgeon and the founder of the Voom Foundation, commended SEOF investing in the grassroots healthcare system. He said they are happy to partake in the mission and initiatives of SEOF in raising the standard of healthcare in the southeast. He also spoke on how the two foundations aim to have an open-heart surgery in Oraifite community, through the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, next year.
“The last three days have been an exciting time with a lot of interesting patients. Many patients do not know they have high blood pressure, arthritis, and hypertension. This adventure has given hope to many of the beneficiaries,” Ohaju said. “It has been a success, having local and international volunteers in the event.”
Shawn Andaya-Pulliam, the Executive Director of the Voom Foundation, spoke about how the last health week fair by SOEF and Voom, last September, was a success and how the just concluded one was their groundbreaking record of attended beneficiaries.
Mr Azuka Okwuosa, a former Executive Chairman of Nnewi North LGA in the state and the Director of SEOF, encouraged the people of Oraifite community to take hold of the medical opportunities provided by the two foundations.
On late Dame Irene Okwuosa, Obidike stated the late Dame Okwuosa was a teacher and the mother of Sir Emeka Okwuosa, the founder of SOEF. She added that the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital, located in Oraifite, was named after her to mark her good work for humanity.
“When she was alive, she loved, cared and catered for people. The hospital is in memory of her legacy,” she said. “The hospital will address open-heart surgeries. It will be the first hospital in the south-east part of the country with modern Catlab medical machines.”
Speaking on the beneficiaries of the health week fair, Obidike stated that they had over 800 beneficiaries above 60 years and that the majority of them above 60 years were diagnosed with high blood pressure, malaria or eye problems.
“We recorded 1,450 beneficiaries of the fair. We provided consultations, laboratory tests, medical treatments, drugs, wheelchairs and medicated eyeglasses to the beneficiaries,” she said.
Some of the beneficiaries commended SEOF and Voom for their kind gestures. Some others said they could not wait to benefit from the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital when it begins full operations February next year.
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Yuletide: SEOF Donates Rice, Other Items To Indigents In Anambra Communities
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: 27th of December, 2021
The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation (SEOF) has, in line with its annual tradition of donating to underserved and vulnerable people in society, donated thousands of bags of rice and other items to 35 communities in Anambra State.
According to the General Manager of the foundation, Miss Amanda Obidike, the intervention is a yearly tradition of over 10 years by Sir Emeka Okwuosa. She added that Sir Emeka Okwuosa believes love is about sharing and empowering communities for better livelihood.
“Sir Emeka Okwuosa is a native of Oraifite in Anambra. This intervention is hosted in Oraifite and spread across Ozubulu, Amichi, etc.,” she said. “Every December, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation distributes rice to the communities in Oraifite to put smiles on faces and hope in the hearts of people as they celebrate the festive season.”
Obidike stated that over 7,000 bags of rice were distributed to 8,000 women and aged persons in 35 communities and that in some communities, groundnut oil was added to the package the beneficiaries went home with.
Some of the communities that benefited from the donations include the entire Irefi Community (Umudisi, Umueshi, Umuagbu na-Okeaji, Umumbike and Nkalafi); Ezumeri Community (Ogbe, Umueziekem and Umuonuora, Umuonyeagolu); Unodu ( Umuezeopi, Isingwu and Ibolo); Ifite-Awaor, Ifite-Oraifite, Ozubulu, Nnewi, Amichi in Anambra State.
Some of the prominent community leaders at the event were representative of the president general, Oraifite; the 4 Obi(s) of Oraifite; the vice president of Oraifite Improvement Union. Others were Bishop of Nnewi Diocese; representatives of Igwe Dan Udoji, Oraifite; amongst other community and religious leaders.
The Obi of Irefi applauded the benevolence of the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation for giving people an opportunity for hope. He explained how people get anxious and look forward to the rice and other items the foundation distributes every year and for the gestures, people benefit from the foundation every day.
One of the beneficiaries of the gesture, Anameje Nnenna, expressed joy, adding that he has been lucky to receive rice from the foundation for over four years.
“He is one of the person’s who still has a heart for his people,” Nnenna said. “Before December 25th, he provides rice for the whole Ezumeri community which my family and I always look forward to. May God bless him and keep him.”
“This rice has brought tears to my eyes because I have been thinking of how I will cater for my children this Christmas,” Chukwunyere said. “God has used this man (Sir Emeka Okwuosa) to enrich my life this season. I say thank you to him.”
Also, another beneficiary, Nkiru Obianinwa, said she liked the way the items were distributed, that it showed equity. “I am so happy to receive my share of the rice. God never makes those who feed his people to lack. May Sir Emeka Okwuosa never lack. My heart is full of joy,” Obianinwa said.
On how the donated items will help the beneficiaries, Obidike stated that rice has become a necessary and important commodity in Nigeria.
“Most homes are happy and appreciate when they are given rice,” she said. “The rice and the groundnut oil will help them to celebrate Christmas in a loving way. Their families will cook and be merry.”
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SEOF Commemorates The International Women's Day
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: Q1' 2022
In honor of the International Women’s Month, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation hosted a hybrid summit at the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Convent featuring Neha Shukla, a 2021 Global Teen Leader, Inventor and TEDx Speaker. This year’s global theme for 2022 is #BreaktheBias.
It comes at a significant moment in time. Women and girls play an invaluable role in building a fairer and more inclusive future with equal opportunity for everyone, here in Africa and around the world. We aim to celebrate the achievements of women and girls that have helped shape the world we know today and we recommit to ensuring that everyone has the chance to reach their full potential, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background.
The event was hosted at the The Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Convent onFriday, the 11th of March 2022. In the Question and Answer session, a student shared her idea of designing a machine that can wash the ONUGBU (Bitter leaf) before cooking. Another student shared how she looks forward remodifying medical research that can cure diseases in Real-time! Innovation in education encourages students and teachers to research, explore, and use all the tools to uncover something new. It also improves education because it compels students to use a higher level of thinking to solve complex problems. Innovation does not just mean the use of technology or new inventions, though these can contribute to innovation. Innovation involves a new way of thinking, thereby helping students develop their creativity and problem-solving skills. In conclusion, Neha Shukla shared a 3-step innovation framework that can help girls to use Science and Technology to solve problems.
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Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation Donates Critical Health Intervention Drugs To Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi, Anambra State
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: Q1' 2022
Other beneficiaries are the Iyienu Mission Hospital Ogidi in Idemili LGA, Akwudo Nnewi Diocesan Mission Hospital Nnewi, in Nnewi North LGA, Oraifite Referral Health Centre, Ozubulu Referral Health Centre and Ihembosi Referral Health Centre, all in Ekwusigo local govt. The drugs include; Azithromycin for wide variety of bacterial infections, Tamsulosin used to treat men who have symptoms of enlarged Prostate Gland, Simvastatin, used to treat high cholesterol & Triglyceride(fat) levels in the Blood. Also prevents medical problems (eg. heart attacks, strokes) caused by clogged vessels, Omeprazole delayed-release capsule, reduces the amount of acid in Ur stomach, Atorvastatin Calcium lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol and fats, as well as raises ‘good’ cholesterol in the blood. Reduces cholesterol made by the liver, 6 hand sanitisers are used to kill many viruses/bacteria/microorganisms on the hands. The drugs are to be administered free of charge, according to the donors, Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation.
The Foundation says the Critical Health Intervention Drugs needed for surgeries and other major operations. And that the drugs valuated at ₦11million. Receiving their own drugs consignment at the Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi, on Tuesday, the Hospital Administrator, Reverend Canon Okwuchukwu, commended the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation for her giant strides in humanitarian services adding that their programs & projects are touching millions of lives across the nation.
He disclosed that the parents/grandparents of Engr. Sir Emeka Okwuosa were born at the Iyienu Mission Hospital and assured that the drugs will be put to good use to enable many people to boost their health status. Meanwhile, the State-of-the-Art Specialist Hospital was built by the Foundation at Oraifite in memory of Dame Irene Okwuosa, mother of Engr. Okwuosa would be commissioned in a couple of weeks at Oraifite.
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Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation Donates Easy-to-use-Drugs Worth 11 Million Naira To Anambra State Referral Centres
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: Q1' 2022
The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation has donated easy-to-use intervention drugs across five core Federal Referral Health Centres and Hospitals in Anambra State. The drugs worth 11 million were distributed to referral health centres in Ekwusigo LGA, Nnewi LGA, and Idemili North LGA. These drugs consisted of Cartons of Azithromycin, Tamsulosin, Omeprazole delayed-release capsule, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin calcium, Disinfectants, and Hand sanitizers. Speaking during the presentation, General Manager of the Foundation, Amanda Obidike urged the hospitals’ management to ensure the drugs were administered free of charge.
“The health centres that benefitted from this gesture are Oraifite Referral Health Centre, Ozubulu Referral Health Centre, Ihembosi Referral Health Centre, Akwudo Nnewi Diocesan Hospital. Iyienu Mission Hospital, Ogidi.” She hinted that the arrangements have been completed for the commissioning of Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital at Oraifite. The drugs were received at various places by the Officers in Charge of the Health facilities.
At the Akwudo Nnewi Diocesan Hospital, the Administrator Ven. Emeka Igwilo and his team. They described Sir. Emeka Okwuosa as a special gift to humanity, pray to God to grant him good health and Longevity. Receiving the Items, the Administrator of the Iyienu Mission Hospital, Rev. Canon Okwuchukwu commended the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation for her giant strides in humanitarian services, adding that their programmes and projects have touched millions of lives in several ways.
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The Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation Hits Ground Breaking Record Of Surgical Delivery In Africa.
- Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation > News Article
- Date: Q4' 2022
Open-heart surgery has a long history in West Africa, starting in 1964 in Ghana, 1974 in Nigeria, in 1978 in Ivory Coast, and 1990 in Senegal. Throughout the history of open-heart surgery in the world and the high prevalence of structural heart disease in Africa, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation through the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial hospital executed 24 surgeries on 23 recipients from the 1 st of November – 11 th of November 2022 in partnership with VOOM Foundation, USA.
Following the open-heart surgery missions in May 2022 where the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation and Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial hospital executed 9 surgical cases, our mission in partnership with VOOM Foundation, USA was to triple performance of open-heart surgeries and demonstrate proficiency in all areas of patient care in paediatric cardiology that is appropriate for the promotion of optimal healthcare.
This surgical record catered to a preponderance of 3 Atrial Septal defects, 7 Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), 10 Mitral Value repair, 2 Coronary Artery bypasses, 1 Tricuspid valve repair + ASD closure, modified Blalock-Taussig-Thomas -shunt procedure, 12 additional cardiac catheterizations and 1 Pacemaker Insertion. As at 14 th of November 2022, 10 recipients of the free open-heart surgery have been discharged with 7 children scheduled to be discharged on Wednesday, the 16 th of November 2022..
Speaking at the event was Mr. Abimbola Abioye and Mrs. Ifeoma Mkpuluma, who were on ground to observe proceedings from 2 nd November 2022 to 5 th November 2022 on behalf of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Health – Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health – Mahmuda Mamman and the Director of Special projects/PPP and diaspora from Ministry of Health – Musa Lawal “it comes as a surprise to us at the Ministry of Health to see such a world-class facility in Nigeria that is offering excellent cardiology services for free. We want to be invested and contribute in the success story of the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital”.
Representatives from the Pediatric Association of Nigeria and the Nigerian Society for Paediatric Cardiology and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching hospital were present during the November missions. Speaking to us was Dr. Chijioke Ezeudu, a delegate of the Paediatric Association and a senior lecturer in the department of Paediatrics, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka who said “in all my practice in paediatrics, the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital has the best cardiology delivery and laboratory facility in the whole of Nigeria”.
In May 2022, the Sir Emeka Okwuosa Foundation commissioned the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial Hospital in Oraifite, Anambra State. It is equipped with state-of-the-art and high technology healthcare equipment like the 128-slice CT scan, the latest Cath lab and ICU Machines for the delivery of first-class medical services in a wide range of areas, which include multi-specialty surgeries, Advanced Cardiology procedures, Radiology & Anaesthesiology, Echocardiography, Internal Medicine, as well as offering services in General Health Screening, Otorhinolaryngology, Paediatrics, Obstetrics, Gynaecology and other clinical specializations.
By 2025, we aim to improve the cardiovascular health of all Nigerians by 35% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 25%.” These goals will require new strategic directions for the Dame Irene Okwuosa Memorial hospital in its research, clinical, public health, and advocacy programs for cardiovascular health promotion and disease prevention in the next decade and beyond.