By Dorcas Samson Achi
Professor Emeka Oguzie, as the National President of, “The International Family Foundation (IFF) and former Dean of Environmental Technology of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) has preached the need to build a functional family system which transcends to building a functional society.
He delivered this speech on the 20th September, 2020 during the inauguration of IFF Imo State Chapter.
The Imo State IFF Cordinator Nkwocha, Chike Martins in his opening address at the inauguration ceremony described IFF as a non profitable, Non Governmental Organization founded on love, passion, partnership, equity and above all service to humanity.
He maintained that the purpose, is to see to the entire well being of the basic family Foundation. ”IFF is designed to build leaders and institutions that will drive our collective lives, our communities, the globe and the nation at large.
“This organization is an umbrella to network ourselves as professionals towards building human and family capacity and financial power blocks that are attractive enough to expressly project and enthrone our members into the leadership of the mainstream society” he posited.
The national president of IFF Prof. Emeka Oguzie who is also a Professor of Chemistry at (FUTO) before the inauguration of the Imo IFF New Members explained the aims and objectives of the foundation which are centered on organizing people globally to tackle issues of poverty, unemployment, rape, violence, abuse, diseases and crisis affecting families and the society at large.
According to him the foundation is interested in organizing health outreaches in Communities, creating awareness, getting the government and well meaning individuals to offer scholarship to bright but disadvantaged children, to enhance self reliance through vocational training, promoting gender equity and empowering women of different levels, utilizing various media to discuss issues of families, to design strategic programs one of which is termed ”in search of the Poorest families in Nigeria” issues of concern to various families.
Prof. Oguzie further emphasized that the organization was also set up as a pressure group to persuade the government to protect core family values, to address the moral and social economic situations of various families.
The Imo State Chapter Executive Members of the International Family Foundation were inaugurated honourably and they took oaths of commitment and dedication to the foundation.
The Special Adviser to Imo State Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon Eric Uwakwe in his closing remarks said that he is happy to be part of the initiative and platform which is targeted at boosting the wellbeing of families. ”Over the years families have been having issues. Many homes are broken on daily basis and entangled with many violence. I love talking about family because family comes first in everything we do. Life starts in the family so I respect family a lot”, he reiterated. He assured the group that Imo State government through his office will partner with IFF to enhance their noble initiatives and projects.
Other dignitaries that graced the occasion were Hon Princewill Ugochukwu, Director of Operations Southeast, Dr. Mrs Oguzie, Dr and Mrs Eric Orji, Engr. Nnamdi Uchenna, Hon Ijeoma Nwafo, Engr. Rufus Okonkwo amongst others.
