The Odimma Umuada Igbo Prestigious Women Foundation, has been officially inaugurated, pledging commitment to continually render humanitarian services across the country.
The Founder and President of the Foundation, Mrs Violet Obiora, made the pledge at the Grand Rollout and Public Awareness programme of the foundation in Lagos.
Obiora said that formation of the foundation was inspired by the importance of collective responsibility and the need to lift one another.
According to her, the focus is to restore hope to the less privileged and to provide a platform for those with resources and ideas to make a meaningful impact in raising others.
She listed some of the achievements of the foundation during her tenure as the women leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State to include creating an unforgettable identity for Ohanaeze through the production of a special outfit, which has been adopted by other states across Nigeria.
She said others were extending joy and support to indigent women and children and providing resources for setting up a befitting state secretariat for Ohanaeze in Lagos.
On the future outlook, Obiora said the focus would be on expanding services to reach more beneficiaries, as priorities for the next one year include hospital and prison visitation programmes.
“The foundation has been privileged to support several beneficiaries, including Pacelli School for the Blind, Heart of Gold Orphanage Home and indigent women and children selected from various local governments in Lagos.
“Our priorities for the next one year include hospital and prison visitation programmes to provide support to women who have been unjustly imprisoned.
“Initiatives to remove about 100 child-hawkers from the streets of Lagos and return them to school, as well as programmes to support women in their petty trades,” Obiora said.
Speaking, the Chairperson, Organising Planning Committee, Mrs Ada Ofoegbu, reiterated readiness of the Foundation to empower the indigent citizens in the society.
Ofoegbu appreciated all the participants of the event including the donors, awardees and stakeholders of the Foundation for their unwavering support.
According to her, no fewer that 10 women and men are going to be empowered with cash grants to aid their businesses in the course of the event.
“Thank you all for the unwavering support, trust and commitment; your collective efforts have made this programme a testament to the power of collaboration and community.
“Together we’ve achieved something truly remarkable and we look forward to continuing our journey together,” Ofoegbu said.
In her Goodwill Message, the Vice-Chairman, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Mrs Chika Ashara, congratulated the foundation for its achievements and efforts in touching lives positively.
Ashara, also one of the Phenomenal Ladies of the Foundation, assured her continual support to ensure progress and sustenance of the Group going forward.
A Stakeholder of the foundation, Mr Chinedu Okwuosa, reiterated commitment to continually support the group to actualise its missions.
Okwuosa, popularly known as the ‘Nwachinagbaiogu Na Nnewi’, commended the group on its numerous projects toward alleviating the sufferings of many Nigerians and putting joy on their faces.
The event featured inauguration of the Foundation’s Exco, patrons, stakeholders and phenomenal ladies, as well as empowerment of many women with cash grant.
It also featured presentation of posthumous award to Late Sen. Ifeanyi Uba, and award presentation to other outstanding personalities including the President of Aspamda, Mr Ngozi Emechebe.
Other awardees were the Executive Director, Edison Obiora Communication Enterprise, Mr Edwin Obiora; the Ezechimelu Ezeigbo Badagry, Mr Eze Sunday and the Ide Anambra, Mr Ralph Ezeokoli, among others.
