From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
In living up to the meaning of its motto “we rise by lifting others” the Abu Maduaburochukwu Foundation recently turned around positively the fortunes of some individuals while celebrating its 6th anniversary and the 38th birthday of its Founder, Chief Maduaburochukwu Christopher Attah.
Various people who thronged the venue of the celebration in Awka, Anambra State that Sunday afternoon left home with smiles on their faces as the Foundation gave them a lifeline to fend for themselves instead of depending on others for survival.
Apart from various food items shared among the village quarters of Awka town, many others who have finished skills training sessions were empowered with sewing machines, hair dryers, and computer laptops among others.
Founder, ABU Maduaburochukwu Foundation, Chief Maduaburochukwu Attah said the Foundation was borne out of a deep conviction to assist those who had lost hope and were living in despair. He recalled that starting from a humble beginning in May 2017, hundreds of women and youth have been empowered through vocational skills acquisition and other benefits.
“We have also supported over one hundred students with their school fees and provided educational materials to several schools in Anambra and beyond. Through God’s grace, we have built houses for indigent families, rehabilitated homes, paid hospital bills for many patients and enrolled hundreds of individuals in health insurance schemes. We have instilled confidence in those ones plagued by inferiority and hopelessness and strengthened the weak and fearful.
Asked what has been his motivation for embarking on those life-changing projects, Chief Attah noted that he derives joy in touching lives.
“The truth is that I’m from a poor family background, suffered a lot before things changed positively for me but I discovered that many people don’t have the mind to help others even when they have. I decided to help others in my own little way. We don’t quantify or count what we do for others but the greatest thing is that we derive joy in giving” he said.
Joy Anih, an Enugu-born caterer resident in Anambra State who presented a giant cake to Chief Attah for his birthday celebration disclosed how she benefitted from a scholarship from Abu Maduabrochukwu Foundation’s touch years back when the Founder visited their fashion and catering training centre in 2021,
Joy disclosed that her school fees were paid by the Founder then she was asked to pray for the man the day he visited.
“That was how the journey started for me during my send-forth ceremony the next year, he blessed me again with financial support which I used to buy an oven. Today, I’m doing well in my own catering business in Onitsha” she testified.
Representative of the Anambra Police Commissioner’s wife, Chairperson of the Police Officers Wives Association, Mrs Odumu Patience lauded Abu Foundation for its continued support and empowerment to the members. She confirmed that Chief Attah has really turned around the fortunes of many police officers’ wives who have been beneficiaries of the Foundation’s empowerment activities.
Media representative of the Foundation, Emmanuel Aniagor in a remark noted that Chief Maduaburochukwu Attah, a businessman involved in Real Estate, Transportation, Football Academy and Community Service has through the Foundation made giant strides and positive interventions in Education, Healthcare, Housing programme for indigent families, charity/community service, women and youth empowerment and sports/ talent hunt.
“Despite efforts to increase healthcare provision in Nigeria, about six out of 10 Nigerians lack access to quality primary healthcare services. At the same time, about 80 per cent have become poor due to ill health or lack of payment for medical services. This explains why the ABU Maduaburochukwu Foundation was established to provide medical services and healthcare support for the less privileged in the society and enrich life through highly subsidised or at free cost,” he said.