By Yahaya Idris, Kogi
Founder and CEO of the Ojoma Heart of Gold Humanitarian Foundation, Chief Mrs. Ojoma Cecilia, has called on individuals with the means to contribute to the development and welfare of less-privileged members of society.
Ojoma, who is also the CEO of Iyoja Real Estate, Abuja, made the call as her foundation prepared to commence another round of humanitarian interventions across communities in Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The foundation plans to support pupils, students, elderly women and other vulnerable residents through educational materials and other forms of assistance.
Speaking on the initiative, Ojoma said the foundation had consistently worked to improve the lives of vulnerable people in Olamaboro and other parts of Kogi State.
She said its interventions cover education, student welfare, drug-abuse awareness, girl-child hygiene and other areas of community development.
The humanitarian organisation, according to its founder, has been supporting communities for about 10 years.
As part of its efforts to establish stronger institutional collaboration, Ojoma said the foundation had submitted a formal letter to the Kogi State Government seeking a convenient date for a courtesy visit to Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo.
She said the foundation would focus its latest intervention on rural communities from September 27 through the end of the month.
Primary and secondary school pupils and students, as well as elderly women, are expected to benefit.
Ojoma urged residents in the targeted communities and schools to participate in the programme and make use of the opportunities provided by the foundation.
The Legal Adviser to the foundation, Mrs. Tina Ekele, Esq., said the organisation had recorded measurable impact in the education sector.
According to Ekele, no fewer than 300 students have benefited from the foundation’s educational support, while more than 30 beneficiaries who have completed secondary education are seeking admission into universities.
Ojoma said her commitment to philanthropy was also influenced by her personal childhood experience.
She disclosed that she was separated from her biological mother at the age of three and subsequently grew up with a foster mother.
She said the experience helped shape her concern for vulnerable people and strengthened her resolve to support those facing difficult circumstances.
Emphasising the importance of philanthropy, Ojoma said:
“Money is for the living.”
She consequently urged well-to-do Nigerians to contribute towards community development, stressing that even small contributions could make a difference.
The latest intervention is expected to cover Ogugu, Imane, Iga-Igaje and other communities in Olamaboro.
Educational materials and other support items are expected to be distributed to pupils across schools in the beneficiary communities.