OCI Foundation: Promoting Education, Healthcare, and Empowerment in Nigeria
Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa, with a diverse population of over 200 million people. Despite being a resource-rich nation, 63% of people living in Nigeria are multi-dimensionally poor and face a number of challenges like corruption, conflict, and disease in their daily lives. In the middle of this pool of problems, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are like a ray of hope and work tirelessly to promote social justice, education, health, and empowerment initiatives.
There are currently over 46,000 registered NGOs in Nigeria, and they are all involved in a wide range of activities that aim to address these challenges and promote the well-being of Nigerians. One of the primary areas of focus for NGOs in Nigeria is education. Many NGOs work to improve access to education for children in underprivileged and marginalized communities. They provide scholarships, build schools, and support teacher training programs to improve the quality of education. Some NGOs also work to promote girls’ education, addressing gender disparities in education.
Additionally, Nigeria has one of the highest disease burdens in the world, with issues such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis being prevalent. Thus, the NGOs in Nigeria are also deeply involved in promoting healthcare initiatives; they work to improve access to healthcare in underprivileged and remote areas, providing medical care and preventive measures such as vaccination programs and health education campaigns. Some NGOs also work to address public health issues such as maternal and child health, malnutrition, and mental health.
Empowerment initiatives are also a significant focus for NGOs in Nigeria. Many NGOs work to promote women’s empowerment, support entrepreneurship, and address issues such as domestic violence and human trafficking. They provide vocational training and microfinance initiatives to help women become self-sufficient and take control of their lives. NGOs in Nigeria also work to address issues such as poverty, conflict, and social inequality, promoting equity and access to justice.
One such prominent organization is the Onyebuchi Chris Ifediora (OCI) Foundation; it stands out as a distinguished non-governmental organization that is making remarkable strides in breaking down barriers to excellence. The Foundation’s three-pronged approach, which encompasses education, health, and empowerment/charity activities, is targeted at all sectors of society. The OCI Foundation was established on April 29, 2016, by Associate Professor Chris O. Ifediora, and since then, it has devoted its efforts to alleviating the plight of the most vulnerable people in society who lack access to life-sustaining facilities.
The Foundation’s mission statement and vision reflect its belief that unlocking human potential through well-tailored activities will result in limitless socioeconomic growth among disadvantaged countries. Although OCI was founded in Nigeria, it has established partnerships with organizations in Australia, Canada, and the USA, and its trustees come from four different continents, including Africa, Australia, Europe, and North America.
One of OCI’s prominent flagship initiatives is the Arm Our Youths Health Campaign, which seeks to raise awareness about breast and cervical cancer prevention in disadvantaged communities. The campaign is supported by national and international organizations, including the Nigerian First Lady, the WHO Country Office in Nigeria, the Nigerian Cancer Society, and Harvard Medical School.
The foundation also offers free or highly subsidized digital cervical cancer screenings through its Gynocular Project, which opened its first center in Abuja in 2022. Additionally, the foundation provides scholarships to financially underprivileged students to help them complete their secondary and tertiary education.
Furthermore, the OCI Foundation offers six distinct types of scholarships with the goal of assisting bright but financially challenged students through their secondary school certificate exams and into further (tertiary) education. Five of these six yearly awards provide incentives for the completion of secondary school as well as polytechnic or university degrees. The Literary Award for Medical Students (LAMS), the sixth scholarship, was created to encourage undergraduate medical students to develop their literary skills.
Last but not least, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the OCI Foundation played a leading role in raising awareness of the virus and distributing face masks and hand sanitizers to communities in need in Nigeria.
All these efforts of the OCI Foundation haven’t gone unnoticed, as the foundation has received numerous awards and recognition for its outstanding humanitarian services. In 2020, they were awarded the Platinum Award for Humanitarian Services by the Rotary Club of Awka Smithtown. They have also been recognized as an official affiliate of the International Association of World Peace Advocates and have received various awards like the Award of Humanitarian Excellence from CENDASNER, UNIZIK, Awka, Nigeria, in 2021, the Emerging NFP of the Year award at the Third Sector Awards in Sydney, Australia, etc. Moreover, the OCI Foundation has also been invited to participate in numerous events and concerts, including the Nigerian Presidency’s 2021 Christmas Praise Concert at the Nigerian Presidential Villa, ASO Rock.
In conclusion, with the support of national and international organizations, the OCI Foundation is making a significant impact in Nigeria and beyond, and its efforts are worthy of emulation. As Nigeria continues to face various challenges, NGOs like the OCI Foundation will continue to play a critical role in promoting sustainable development and improving the quality of life of its citizens.
