Fresh water is necessary for the survival of all living, As for Chief Ogwu Onoja SAN ,the work of providing clean drinking water Should be a collective effort, especially when government failed to live up to the expectations, however, Chief Ogwu Onoja the philanthropist despite his busy schedule remembered that he has a critical role in reaching the poorest of the poor and ensure water is available.
A man who believe that everyone should have clean water as well as adequate sanitation and hygiene that is sustained. It’s a known fact that the billions of people living in poverty ,represent a diverse population. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of millions of people who do not have clean water and cannot currently afford to pay for access to water, hence Chief Ogwu James Onoja San embark on personal effort.
Below is the unedited Press Release from Agenyi Attah, Chief Ogwu Onoja.
SPEECH DELIVERED BY
CHIEF OGWU JAMES ONOJA (SAN) AT COMMISSIONING OF THE
OFANTE INDUSTRIAL BOREHOLE PROJECT ON SATURDAY, THE 27TH OF JUNE, 2020
SATURDAY, THE 27TH OF JUNE, 2020
PROTOCOLS
It is with a joyful heart and undiluted gratitude to the Almighty God Who makes all things beautiful and perfect in His own time and accorded us the perquisite to witness this epic event that I welcome you all to the Commissioning of Ofante Industrial Borehole sponsored by Deacon Job and Mrs Omada Onoja Foundation, herein after called “The Foundation”
The Foundation is the dream and concept of myself and my most adorable wife Rosemary. The organization is dedicated to assisting individuals, groups and communities in the provision of funds and amenities necessary for communal subsistence. The Foundation has, in furtherance of its objectives, given scholarships to deserving students, sponsor and run the Unyi-Ogugu Football League, paid medical bills for some indigent patients as well as making life bearable for widows etc.
Lamentably, different persons at various times had questioned the rationale for my family’s engagement in community developments. While some, out of engrained and habitual ignorance have ascribed our little and humble efforts to political aspirations, others had uncharitably alluded our involvement to ego and self-esteem, that is, a deliberate incentive to prove we are alpha and omega or playing God. With the greatest humbleness, there is nothing I have done today in this community that is the first and with God still in love with Ofante, it will never be the last. We have many patriotic sons and daughters of Ofante who had done and still doing greater things in elevation of the status of this community. We are proud of them and God shall bless them more to empower our people.
My motivation to positively engage my community is because I AM INVOLVED. I am a proud VILLAGE MAN. I grew up in this village. I finished from Ofante Primary School and graduated from Ofante Community High School. I had experienced and endured the pains of trekking and climbing the hill to Iyoko to scratch water from the rocks atimes staying there throughout the night to get water for my parents to drink. I had used bicyles and in good times rode motorcycles from Ofante all the way to Ubelle stream in Ogugu to fetch water in jerry cans for my family to drink. I engaged in all
manners of labour and farming to support my family until after my NYSC in 1992. I knew the longsuffering of my community then and now and cannot play politics with their pains. I had experienced village life and know firsthand what it is to live in a community with no government presence. I am always in this village.
Like many youths of my generation from Ofante, I am a product of COMMUNITY EFFORTS. I went to the Community Secondary School founded and funded by our fathers and mothers. I recall my Late Father, Deacon Job Idoko Onoja, was the Chairman of the Parents Teachers Association. The question is what have the youths done to sustain or advance the labour of our parents. I am not only grateful for what the good Lord has done for me, but obliged to pay back to the community that sacrifice so that I could have better future.
As stated by the Chairman of the Implementation Committee, this water project is the free will and humble contribution of my family to the development of Ofante Community. This is a solar powered borehole with the capacity to also use electricity. We have built about 22,000 liters storage for the project. The entire project together with the brand new generator will be handed over to the National President of Ofante Community Self Help Association (OCSHA) who shall in his wisdom (supported by his Exco), set up the appropriate machinery to manage and deliver water to our community.
I cannot in all honesty conclude this address without expressing my sincere gratitude to all the members of the Implementation Committee of this Foundation under the able chairmanship of my brother and very distinguished Academician, Dan Itodo, PHD for their sacrifice in bringing this project and many others to reality. I acknowledge the many difficulties you have encountered in the course of this project. Dr Itodo’s doctoral dissertation on Community projects was very useful in the realization of this project. God bless you and your members.
I thank all of you present today for your time and sacrifices to be part of this meeting.
UP OFANTE
UP OCSHA
UP EJIKEMOGWU
CHIEF OGWU J. ONOJA, SAN.
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