Chairman’s Address During the Dedication of BCROF Retreat Home for the Religious

AN ADDRESS PRESENTED BY SIR (DR) DOZIE OKWUOSAH ON THE OCCASION OF THE DEDICATION OF BARR CHIKA RITA OKWUOSAH RETREAT HOME FOR THE RELIGIOUS – FEBRUARY 8, 2020 AT ATANI ROAD OGBARU, ANAMBRA STATE.

Your Grace Most Rev (Dr) Augustine Obiora Akubeze Catholic Archbishop of Benin City & Chairman Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria, Rev Msgr Ojimba, Rev Father’s here present, Rev Sisters here present;

The Igwes and their representatives here present;- H.R.H E. C. Onyia; H.R.H P.C. Afuberoh; H.R.H Dr. Nelson Esimai; H.R.H Azuka A. Ngoddy ; H.R.H Victor Awogu; Igwe Dr Akpati; Igwe Emmanuel Chukwuma; Igwe Chales Ogwu; Igwe Fidelis Onumonu; Igwe Lawrence Ogugua Oduah ;

Chairman of today’s occasion Honorable Chukwuka Onyema representing Ogbaru Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives at the National Assembly, Honorable Arinze Awogu Chairman Ogbaru Local Government Area, Honourable Somutochukwu Udeze, Member representing Ogbaru Constituency 2 at the Anambra State House of Assembly; Princess Nwaka Ononuju, Members of the BOT of Barr Chika Rita Okwuosah Foundation (BCROF),

Distinguished Ladies and gentlemen,

Good morning.

I would start by thanking the Almighty God for ordaining this day and approving this occasion. My wife Lady Nonye Okwuosah and I sincerely welcome you to our home.

As we mark the 1st Anniversary of our Daughter’s passing, we feel fulfilled and thank God for giving us the ability to immortalize her by erecting this retreat home for the Religious to come into Ogbaru for quiet time with God.

This Retreat Home and all the furniture and equipment inside the home are solely financed by my wife and I. Today,we are handing the management of the home to the Parish Priest of St Patrick’s Catholic Church (Rev Fr Phillip Nwafor) He shall have custody of the keys and approve any religious that intend to use the home.

I sincerely thank you Fr for accepting this job despite your very tight schedule.

You may all recall that a year ago, I promised to establish a Foundation in memory of our late daughter to further her passion and aspirations. To the glory of God, I like to announce that the Foundation has been established and was officially unveiled in Abuja on the 14th of June 2019 (Chika’s birthday) .

The Foundation is currently managed by a 13 member Board of Trustees (BOT) which include: Rev Fr. Benedict Udemba, Ogbuefi Angela Lucas, Mr Oche Obe, Sir Joseph Wenegieme, Hon Preye Ogriki, Ms Theresa Effa, Mr Anochie Agwunobi, Mrs Annie Okwuosah, Barr Onyekwelu Nwanosike, Jeff Okoroafor, Lady Nonye Okwuosah, Ms Pamela Mbanefo (Secretary) and Sir Dozie Okwuosah.

I will like to seize this opportunity to thank these fine ladies and gentlemen who willingly accepted to serve on the Board free of any compensation for their invaluable contributions towards immortalizing Barr Chika Rita Okwuosah. May Almighty God continue to bless, protect and reward you all beyond your expectations. Amen.

I wish to also thank all the volunteer members of the BCROF for sacrificing their Talent, Treasure and Time in support of BCROF programmes. May Almighty God continue to bless you all abundantly Amen.

At the unveiling of Barr. Chika Chika Rita Okwuosah Foundation (BCROF) on June 14th 2019, the BOT in a bid to achieve the aims and objectives of the Foundation empowered 6 women with industrial sewing machines to enable them start a fashion business.

Also between the 20th to the 31st January this year, the Foundation trained 13 women free of charge in Abuja on shoe and bag making – using leather and fabric.

Today the Foundation is empowering 10 widows selected from different Ogbaru communities with giant grinding machines to enable them generate extra incomes for their basic needs.

I wish to state here that all the empowerment programs of BCROF since its establishment have been funded by donations from patrons, friends and members of the Foundation. From our experience so far, it takes about N50,000 (fifty thousand naira only) to provide an income generating training or equipment for one woman in our community.

My dear friends and well-wishers, people have been asked why we are not giving the machines to at least one widow in each of the 16 communities. That indeed was our initial target but we are constrained due to limited funds.

Therefore we are appealing that if you like to support any of the Foundation programmes or initiatives, please contact the CEO or credit Barr. Chika Rita Okwuosah Foundation: Zenith Bank Plc: A/c 1016369468.
Your kind contribution will help the Foundation to continue to implement programmes that will economically empower women and girls in our communities.

Finally, on behalf of my family, the Board and members of BCROF I want to thank everyone here present for coming.
May Almighty God continue to bless and grant you journey mercies to your respective destinations in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Appendix:

1. List Of Beneficiaries Of Industrial Machines At Unveiling Of Foundation On 14th June, 2019:

a. Ruth Nwokolo; Mary Oga ; Robson Eno ; Joy Edet; Amodu Naomi ; Roseline Aginde

2. List Of Beneficiaries Of 2-Week Skill Acquisition Training On Shoe & Bag Making Using Leather & Fabric – 20th – 31st January, 2020:

a. Adaobi Maka, Onunwa Peace Chidinma; Amarachi Raymond; Lucy Chiamaka Nwaegbu; Monica Wandoo Uganden; Onunwa Joy Chinenye; Glory Micheal ; Anjo Rejoice Iember; Patrick Blessing Uchenna; Frances Iheonunekwu; Esther Odey; Precios Bulus; Love Ohanyere

3. List Of Beneficiaries Of Grinding Machines At The Widows Empowerment Programme In Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State On 8th February, 2020;

a. Mrs Florence Okei: Mrs Cecelia Aghaeze’; Mrs Nkeiru Obi; Mrs Therese N. Ndubuokwu; Mrs Ifeoma Eju; Mrs Josephine Okwuanyike; Mrs Josephine Nwanji; Mrs Esther Adibeli Omegbu; Mrs Esther Ughanze and Mrs Patricia Ajansi