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The people of Ochima in Igbo-Etiti Local Government area of Enugu State were thrown into endless excitement as Barr. Sam Otoboeze Foundation held its 2024 empowerment programme on Tuesday, April 2nd, 2024.
The occasion, which was held at the premises of the Holy Child Catholic Church Ochima was declared open with a Holy Mass celebrated by Rev. Fr. Nnamene who incidentally is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation
In a homily, Fr. Nnamene extolled the virtues of the Foundation, which is a brain child of its founder and President, Barr. Sam Chigozie Otoboeze.
According the Priest, the theme of the Homily is “Bearing witness to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
He encouraged all present to, in the same vein, bear true and objective witness to all the philanthropic activities and programmes over the years aimed at impacting on the lives of the less privileged in the society.
The Reverend Father prayed for the blessings and protection of God over Barr. Otoboeze and family for this indelible mark on the surface of the earth.
An array of personalities that graced the occasion were the President and Vice President of the Foundation, Barr. Sam Otoboeze and wife, the Gubernatorial Candidate of Labour Party in Enugu State in the 2023 general Election, Barr. Chijioke Edeoga, Enugu State Commissioner of Police represented by the Divisional Police Officer of Igbo-Etiti, CSP Omenka, the Deputy Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Ezenta Ezeani,
Others are Hon.Stainless Nwodo, former Member of the Federal House of Representatives, Chairman of the occasion, Engr. Chief George Agu, the Chinenyeze 1 of Okpatu Ancient Kingdom and Chairman, CEO of Active Edge Technologies, an Engineering firm with presence in most African Countries, the Traditional Ruler of Ochima, HRH Igwe Hyacinth Ugwuogbuke, the Traditional Ruler of Idoha Ancient Kingdom and Chairman of Igbo Etiti Traditional Rulers Council, HRH Igwe Christian Eze, who was equally a member of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. Generals Chris Eze and Victor Ezugwu (Ochiagha),
Also at the occasion were the former Commissioner of Chieftaincy Matters in Enugu State and Director for Special Duties, BSOF, Hon (Pastor) Emeka Abugu. A philanthropist, Chief Chidera Nwodo (the Omeogo 1 of Ukehe), the Parish Priest of the Holy Child Catholic Church, Ochima, Rev. Fr. Celestine Odo with other priests including the first indigenous Catholic Priest of Ochima, Rev. Fr. Chinedu Emma Nzutigbo.
The Head of Personnel Management of Igbo-Etiti Local Government was represented by the Head of Works Department and two other Senior Administrative Staff of the council Area.
In his welcome address, Barr. Otoboeze informed the gathering that the empowerment programme has been an annual event for over 12 years now where the lives of the less privileged are touched with skill acquisition and provision of grants.
He regretted the current socio-economic challenges facing the country which have eventually made some youths become addicted to various drugs that have consequential negative effects to their health and future.
Otoboeze, who is also the President of Nsukka Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mine and Agriculture appreciated highly the cooperation and support of the Foundation’s major partners especially the Nigeria Police who handled youths training on the impact of crimes to their future; the NDLEA, who conducted training on the impact of drugs on the youths’ health; the DSS who handled the role of the youths in securing and protecting the society and the SMEDAN, who trained the youths on different lucrative businesses that can be started with small capital and on how to access grants for business expansions as well as the Heart Foundation, who provided part of the Medical Outreach support.
Earlier in a remark, the chairman of the occasion, Engr. Agu expressed his happiness and praises to Barr. Sam Otoboeze whom he described as a long term ally and philanthropist.
Agu made a cash donation of N1m to the Foundation for all its activities with a pledge of customised exercise books to the pupils of Community Primary School Ochima.
Highlights of the occasion was the presentation of over N3m cash grants to those that showed excellent performances in the selection test organised by the Foundation after the Poverty Alleviation Training to Curb Insecurity in Nigeria (PATCIN) program; the presentation of artificial limbs to some physically impaired and scholarship grant to some pupils of Community Primary School Ochima to take care of their school uniform and other educational materials.
The Barr. Sam Otoboeze International Cultural Troupe of Ochima and Oribe Ocheta Cultural Group of Aku coloured the event with different dancing styles and Traditional music.
