IGAHAF raises the bar in philanthropy
It is amazing how much difference one inspired individual can make in the life of many people in a short period of three years. In August 2021, Chief Ignatius Onyeka Aguowo, a successful Nibo, Anambra State-born entrepreneur, who is chairman and chief executive of Volic Group of companies, established a foundation for philanthropy.
The I.G. Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation (IGAHAF), as the name indicates, set out to offer a lifting hand in the areas of healthcare and education to people in need of a helping hand.
Having been registered in 2020 as a foundation, the organisation derives its source of resources from the philanthropy of its founder and chairman. Three years down the line, IGAHAF has proved to be a huge source of relief, hope and elevation for thousands of Nigerians.
On Friday, August 30, 2024, at the International Conference Centre in Awka, capital of Anambra State, IGAHAF hosted its third education seminar and fifth phase of scholarship award ceremony. The ceremony was a revelation of how far the foundation has gone in three years to touch lives across the country.
The colourful ceremony was attended by many dignitaries from Anambra State and beyond, and from government and the private, in addition to recipients of awards and their relations.
In an introductory speech that gave insight into the activities of the foundation, the executive director of the foundation, Mrs. Gloria Abanihe, informed the guests that the I.G. Aguowo Health and Academic Foundation was established with a vision “to bridge the educational gap and provide opportunities for talented and deserving students to achieve their dreams.”
In its two areas of focus, healthcare and education, the foundation has remained steadfast in providing succour and opportunities to many beneficiaries. And going by the assurance of the executive director, the foundation is determined to continue on this track to do more.
At the ceremony, the I.G. Aguowo Foundation, to the delight of the guests, announced the award of 250 more scholarships to deserving students drawn from various parts of the country. The new awards bring to 670 full scholarships given by the foundation since it came into being three years ago.
A few months ago, in April 2024, when students of Christ the King College won the World Affairs Challenge, a global competition for secondary schools, IGAHAF rewarded all the six students in the winning team with full scholarship.
While speaking at the ceremony in Awka on August 30, 2024, the founder and chairman of IGAHAF, Ichie Ignatius Aguowo, promise to continue with his philanthropic work. He said he finds tremendous joy in philanthropy, because he had a humble background and tasted poverty.
Aguowo said he had dreamt much earlier in life about what he is doing at the moment, in helping people who need a helping hand.
The chairman of the ceremony, Dr. Innocent Akavue, an engineer, extolled the noble spirit of the founder of the foundation. He noted the difference between the mindset of Chief Aguowo and many other rich Nigerians who live a life of ostentation and spend much of their wealth constituting a nuisance.
Akavue praised the IGAHAF chairman’s spirit of philanthropy and urged many other well-to-do Nigerians to emulate him and leave positive imprints on society.
Also at the ceremony, the Anambra State Commissioner of Education, Professor Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, commended IGAHAF for complementing the activities of the state government, which she said places a lot of emphasis on education. Chuma-Udeh saw what the foundation is doing in human development as a good example of Public Private Community Partnership (PPCP), a model of joint social development, which the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo promotes, according to the education commissioner.
Chuma-Udeh expressed delight that Aguowo saw the need to let humanity feel the impact of his wealth. She prayed that the foundation and its benefactor would continue to flourish
The keynote speaker at the event, Mrs. Nwando Obiano, a lawyer, could not contain her pride over the benefactor of the foundation, who was her student. She spoke of the exceptionality of Aguowo and the nobility of what he is doing through his foundation that gives opportunity for the underprivileged and the needy to get a new lease of life.
Obiano counselled the beneficiaries of the magnanimity of Aguowo not to be ungrateful. She noted that many people in today’s world turn ingrates after benefitting from the large-heartedness of others. She asked the beneficiaries to follow the example of their benefactor in being of service to the society.
The event was a statement on the commitment of the foundation and its benefactor to continue to serve humanity.
Distinguished personalities at the ceremony included the Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Awka, Most Rev. Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, the Anambra State Head of Service, Mrs. Theodora Igwegbe, Eze Michael Ngene of Nibo and many others. Laptops and cash prizes were also given out to deserving students.
In three years of its operation, the foundation has become a major source of hope to many students by offering them a path to a bright future, the same way it provides healthcare assistance to many who need attention for their wellbeing.
