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By Henry Umahi
Show me a humble and down-to-earth individual and I will show you the founder and spiritual director of Zion Prayer Movement Outreach, Evangelist Chukwuebuka Anozie Obi, fondly called Ebuka Obi. Although he controls a very large followership, he carries no air; he’s gentleness personified.
He is simple, humane and unassuming but supremely focused on spreading the gospel worldwide through the practical power of God’s healing, build a stronger prayer life, and strengthen believers for their work with God. Some call him John the Baptist of our time because of his committed lifestyle and preaching style. There are those who say he is living “in the manner of Jesus” through his character of humility, compassion, and obedience to God.
Some years ago, Ebuka Obi took the religious sphere in Nigeria by storm even as his activities continue to expand beyond borders. His coming was heralded with several testimonies of wonders and miracles. Yet, one thing that defines his ministry is his passion to identify with vulnerable communities.
To this end, Ebuka Obi founded the Seraphic Home Foundation (SHF), a non-profit organisation, with the objective of touching and impacting lives positively and promoting the welfare of others.
“The foundation’s mission is to provide tangible help to those in need, addressing financial struggles and offering educational opportunities. It runs a whole range of programmes which support disadvantaged and impoverished families by providing scholarships for different levels of education for scores of children yearly as well as funding for patients who are unable to afford life-sustaining treatment and pay hospital bills for various health challenges.”
In fact, it could be said that Ebuka Obi was born to serve because of his natural inclination to help others. In a recent chat, he volunteered that it has always been his passion to share his things with other people.
He said: “When I was growing up, I had this passion that I cannot really explain. If they give me food, I will always share it with someone. I have a passion for helping the less privileged.” He added that he can lay down his life to save a fellow man.
One of the things Ebuka Obi cannot stand is seeing mentally challenged people roaming the streets and sleeping in squalid environments. So, what did he do? He established a hospital that would take them off the road and provide treatment and shelter at no cost.
Through his Seraphic Homes Foundation, Ebuka Obi, opened the first free Psychiatric Hospital and Home for the Elderly in Aguleri community, Anambra East Local Government area of the state. Built at the cost of N1.6billion minus the equipment, the facility was inaugurated in September by Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State.
Designed to provide completely free psychiatric care to individuals battling mental illnesses, it offers comprehensive care, including diagnosis, treatment, medication, rehabilitation, accommodations and welfare to patients at no cost to them or their families. It is the first of its kind in this clime.
“The vision behind the project is to create a society where the mentally challenged are no longer abandoned on the streets, but embraced, treated, rehabilitated and empowered to live meaningful lives after being integrated back to society.”
During the inauguration of the hospital, he stated: “This is my childhood vision. I have travelled to so many parts of the world. You will not see mentally challenged persons roaming the streets in the western world. It is only in this part of the world that this happens.”
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More good news: The facility has admitted the first set of patients – a man and a woman, after being rescued from the streets of Anambra by the rescue team set up by the Seraphic Home Foundation. The man was picked up at Nteje community while the woman was rescued at Onitsha Main Market.
Ebuka Obi said: “The two were immediately assessed by psychiatric doctors and other health professionals who started treatment thereafter. They are now being looked after and provided with all the care they need completely free of charge.”
He added that the rescue team would bring in more mentally challenged people in the days ahead even as legal documentations had been completed.
He further said that doctors and nurses employed at the facility are being paid by the foundation.
“We don’t task people; we don’t force people to support. Criticism will not stop me from doing my best for society. I don’t care what people say,” the evangelist stated, adding that the hospital will continue to offer free services until Jesus comes.
Seraphic Homes Foundation had in April this year opened the first ever Old People’s Home and Orphanage in Mgbirichi, Imo State. It was commissioned by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma, who described it as a watershed in the provision of care for the elderly, needy and less privileged.
The state-of-the-art facility provides a safe and nurturing environment for orphans and elderly individuals, offering them a sense of belonging and care. The home provides shelter, food, clothing, education and healthcare, and ensures that the residents receive the support they need to thrive.
Ebuka Obi disclosed: “It is currently in operation and providing shelter, food, clothing, education, and healthcare for abandoned children, and ensuring that the elderly who have no one to take care of them are offered shelter and all the support they need in their old age.”
He explained that he established the foundation with the objective of touching and impacting lives positively and promoting the welfare of others, a passion he had always nursed from childhood.
Ebuka Obi, who disclosed that it is his intention to build more hospitals across the country, informed that a four-storey free mother and children hospital will soon be completed and put to public use.
Ironically, while Ebuka Obi is awarding scholarships, supporting businesses and building houses for indigent people, among others, he remains a tenant somewhere. He is yet to build a house for himself.
Explaining why he is not interested in worldly things, he said: “I promised God that I will give away everything He has given me before I die.”
