Baskadia

By ETTAH EMMANUEL O. This year marks a significant milestone for the Reverend Ben Ugbuji Foundation, as it celebrates the 10th anniversary of Rev. Dr. Ben Ugbuji's passing and the 6th anniversary of the foundation established in his honor. Rev. Dr. Benedict Ugbuji was a revered philanthropist and community development expert who was involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting youth empowerment, community development and poverty alleviation

The Director of the Foundation, Mr. Modey Ugbuji, announced that they are fully prepared to commemorate these anniversaries with a two-day event. He stated, "The Rev. Ben Ugbuji Foundation was established to continue and expand the philanthropic work of the late Ugbuji, providing additional support to the less privileged and nonprofits to maintain their essential services to humanity." Mr. Ugbuji highlighted several notable achievements and interventions by the foundation since its inception.

These include initiatives in health, sports development, education, infrastructure, and social investment. Specifically, the foundation has: - Renovated and equipped a Primary Healthcare Centre in Ibil - Renovated and fully equipped a medical hostel for trainee nurses - Rejuvenated a failed solar-powered borehole and solar power system - Provided laboratory equipment and bedding for healthcare facilities - Installed three solar-powered boreholes in Ibil, Ogoja LGA

- Built and furnished an ultra-modern church for the Living Faith Church in Ibil - Empowered over 500 SMEs with cash grants - Provided farm inputs for farmers - Coordinated several football talent hunts in collaboration with foreign and local scouts - Awarded scholarships to deserving secondary school students - Donated learning materials such as science textbooks to secondary schools - Regularly donated food and non-food items to orphanages - And lots more.

Mr. Ugbuji invited everyone to join the celebration during the last weekend of this month, July 2024. The events are scheduled as follows: **Saturday, July 27:** - Memorial Walkathon and Games at Arena Fitness, Okuku Road at 6 AM - Groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of Living Faith Church at Ndok Junction at 3 PM - Foundation's empowerment scheme for women and scholarship awards to secondary school students at Onyikang, Bekwerra LGA at 4 PM

**Sunday, July 28:** - Memorial Thanksgiving Service at the Living Faith Church, Ibil, Ogoja at 8 AM - Groundbreaking for the construction of an Ultra Modern Civic Center at Mkporo Ibil - Football match between the champions of Ugbuji's Foundation and Maj. Gen. E. E. Emekah Foundation at Nkum Secondary School, Ibil at 4 PM - Another empowerment program for women and scholarship awards for secondary school students at Nkum Secondary School, Ibil, Ogoja Local Government Area.

"We invite everyone to join us in celebrating a decade of touching lives, impacting communities and legacy of Rev. Dr. Benedict Ugbuji during this two-day events," Mr. Ugbuji concluded. #CelebratingLegacy #BenUgbujiFoundation #TouchingLives #Impactingcommunities @NaijaBlaseTv