The story of Ugo foundation is likened to a dream come true. This is because from birth, Barrister James Ugochukwu Okonyia was a child of the people of Umunankwo, his father’s hometown and Ossomala his mother’s hometown. He began his youthful life with a lot of enthusiasm towards his peers and a striking concern for their welfare. Some of his mates at Ossomala today recall vividly the way little James shared among them sweets and biscuits from his mother.
It was therefore, little wonder that on his first visit to the two communities after a twelve-year sojourn in the United Kingdom, James, now a lawyer felt embarrassed at the degree of poverty prevailing in his home town Umunankwo as well as Ossomala his mother’s town where he was mainly brought up. He was so concerned that he went into prayers, asking God to provide and direct him to assist the poor and less privileged.
He sort the advice of his Godfather and mentor, Chief Iyke Mbanefo who intimated him on the task ahead. Mr. Mbanefo warned him that his ideas will not be as easy as he had envisaged. This led to his decision to focus on;
i. Caring for widow and widowers
ii. Awarding Scholarships for less privileged children
Prince Ugochukwu James Odogwu Okonyia visited Nigeria again twelve months later being in 2002 and quickly went to Mr. Mbanefo with the sum of one hundred thousand naira (100, 000 naira) and entrusted him with the arduous responsibility of formulating a programme in line with his (James) original dream. Mr. Azuka Abuanekwu from Umunankwo was later drafted to assist Mr. Mbanefo. They both worked with a high level of understanding to develop Ugo foundation. This, in a nutshell, was the birth of UGO FOUNDATION.
It is therefore interesting to note that what started like a child’s play has grown in fame and acclamation. The programme which took off in December 2002 has now touched several communities in Nigeria.
BENEFICIARIES OF THE PROGRAMME SO FAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:
WIDOWS/OTHERS (UMUNANKWO)
| NAMES |
1 | Nwosu Gab |
2 | Nsofor Ifeanyi |
3 | Nwosu Omebele |
4 | Kwashi Nwafili |
5 | Obiora Jessy |
6 | Dagba Nnuego |
7 | Ofili Nwametu |
8 | Okwuosa Ezeafia |
9 | Obiora Mgbolie |
10 | Comfort Mbanefo |
11 | Obiata Chukwuji |
12 | Nwadolu Obi |
13 | Nwanyife Ogbennia |
14 | Mary Ifeachor |
15 | Josephine Nwosu |
16 | Nnodi Okoloafor |
17 | Maryjane Onumajuru |
18 | Obiora Omego |
19 | Oduru Ugochukwu |
20 | Helen Udeze |
21 | Ilona Ikeomu |
22 | Nkonyeli Abuanekwu |
23 | Adaobi Nsofor |
24 | Adaobi Okolonkwo |
25 | Regina Nwadihi |
26 | Chukwumaeze Nwaosu |
27 | Ifeanyi Nsofor |
28 | Ben Nsofor |
29 | Ezeafia Ejezie |
30 | Omeogo Obiora |
WIDOWS/OTHERS (OSSOMALA)
| NAMES |
1 | Theresa Mbanugo |
2 | Uzonisha Ugwummadu |
3 | Elizabeth Ossai |
4 | Eugenia Kwuefu |
5 | Roseline Ezedalo |
6 | Okpubili Stella |
7 | Bridget Odigo |
8 | Paul Ibekwe |
9 | Robert Enebeli Isicheli |
10 | Uche Ifeanyi |
11 | Ulo Nwadukwe |
12 | Mgbaku Obiora |
13 | Ifeoma Ahugwulu |
14 | Ngozi Ifejika |
15 | Alice Imoke |
16 | Emmanuel Ossai |
17 | Caro Ikumo |
18 | Nkemdilim Awogu |
19 | Priscilia Odinuwa |
20 | Josephine Onwuegbusie |
21 | Nkemdilim Odili |
22 | Nwanyiuzor Oputa |
UGO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD WINNERS IN OSSOMALA PRIMARY SCHOOL
| NAMES | VILLAGES |
1 | Chukwudifu Chimee (Primary 4) | Igbuzor |
2 | Odili Obi | Akpanam |
3 | Esumai Samuel (Primary 5) | Isiolu |
4 | Ifejika Augustine (Primary 5) | Umuoga |
5 | Obi Nkemdilim (Primary 5) | Umuonyeogwu |
6 | Ikenga Azubuike (J.S.S. 1) | Akpanam |
SECONDARY SCHOOL (UMUNANKWO)
| NAMES | VILLAGES |
1 | Udeze Chika (J.S.S III) | Ezele |
2 | Okam Jacinta (J.S.S II) | Onyesom |
3 | Ikeomumu Elizabeth (S.S.S II) | Umutaba |
Our Needs
- Cash donations
- Scholarships sponsorship
- Books
- Nonperishable food items
- Books (Christian, crafts, bibles-large print)
- Cleaning supplies
- Clothing
- Craft Items
- Flashlights & batteries
- Kitchen towels/wash clothes/pot holders
- Laundry detergent, Toiletries
- Linens: bed sheets (full/queen/king), towels and wash clothes
- Mattress sets
- Personal Hygiene items: shampoo, conditioner, face cream, brushes
- Stationery supplies: blank thank you cards, note cards, stationery w/envelopes, seasonal cards, birthday cards
- House Furniture, Shower curtains
- Plates, Dishes, and Cutlery, Oven ,Freezer, Computers, Duplicating Machine, Other Kitchen Items
Events and Programs
· Skill acquisition Training
· International Widows Day (June 23)
· International Children’s day (20 November)
· National Children’s Day (27 May)