By Dorcas Samson Achi
As COF Empowers Widows,Youths in Ideato south
Boxing Day, 26th December was remarkable in Omuma-Isiaku, Ideato south L.G.A of Imo State as Chinenye Okpoagba Foundation (COF) empowered indigent widows and youths in the area with grants for business. Twenty nine widows from different villages received huge sum of money for their businesses in addition to foodstuffs and wrappers while six youths received huge sums to start a living.
Chief Basil Chinenye Okpoagba, a humanitarian, philanthropist, US based international businessman and the Founder, Chinenye Okpoagba Foundation (COF) also revealed his aim of carrying out charitable activities in his community and beyond. He revealed this during this year’s annual COF program. According to him, COF is a nonprofit and nongovernmental organization, registered with Corporate Affairs Commission with the sole aim of helping the poor and less privileged as well as reducing the sufferings of the poor masses.
While addressing the press at the event, Chief Okpoagba stated that his intention for helping the poor and less privileged is not politically motivated but in line with God’s direction. ” I derive joy and fulfilment in giving to people. I am not giving for any selfish reason. I am not gunning for any political position yet. I don’t even belong to any political party. I am not giving to attract votes as some people do ”, he emphasized.
He further stated that the beneficiaries were selected randomly and not based on favouritism or partiality because it is his desire to touch the lives of the poorest of the poor. He urged the beneficiaries to utilize the resources given to them wisely in order to become self reliant and contribute to the the growth and development of the society.
Reverend Father. C. Ozuruigbo, the Parish Priest of St Andrew’s Catholic church Omuma-Isiaku appreciated Chief Okpoagba for touching lives positively through his noble foundation and assured him of God’s unreserved blessings, stressing that a help to others is like the rent we pay for our rooms in future.
HRH Eze Gerald Achuziem (Eze Ukwu), the traditional ruler of Omuma-Isiaku and the clan head of Ideato south and Ideato North L.G.A expressed his gratitude to Chief Okpoagba for his philanthropy, adding that it is difficult to give out these days considering the nature of the economy. He advised the beneficiaries of COF charity to invest the money given to them judiciously work hard to be self employed and employ others. He challenged the youths and otherwealthy individuals in Ideato nation to emulate the good deeds of Chief Okpoagba and affect lives positively.
Other dignitaries at the event were Barr Mbakwe Obi, Chief Host of the event, Barr Reginald Okpoagba, Prof. P. Okpoagba, Mr Kingsley Amadi, former leader Port Harcourt legislative council, amongst others.
