Ilegbune pushes grassroots empowerment in health, education, skills, and agriculture
A United Kingdom–based Nigerian, Dr. Frederick Iloegbune, has launched the OGEMEK Charity Foundation focused on empowering vulnerable groups across Africa.
Speaking at the inauguration in Enugu, Dr. Iloegbune, an indigene of Awka, said the initiative was inspired by his 2010 research in Lagos on the role of faith-based organisations in supporting vulnerable people.
“Foreign aid will not last forever. Africa is richly blessed, and we must build systems that sustain us,” he said adding “ OGEMEK Charity Foundation anchored on agape empowerment is about humanitarian service without expecting anything in return.”
According to him, the foundation, registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2020, has since extended its reach to Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe with its programmes covering health, education, skills acquisition, agriculture, and entrepreneurship.
In the health sector, Dr. Iloegbune said the foundation runs medical outreaches, supports hospital patients who are unable to pay bills, and provides free check-ups for the elderly and also partners hospitals for subsidised treatment and creates awareness on food hygiene and healthy living.
Dr. Iloegbune added that the skills acquisition programme affords beneficiaries opportunity to be trained in fashion design, catering, digital businesses, content creation, and IT, with provision of mentorship and start-up support.
While stating that the foundation explores agricultural empowerment for widows and orphans in rural areas, Dr. Ileogbune said scholarships are reserved for children who have lost both parents, while widows and widowers are supported to care for their children.
He emphasized that the foundation is volunteer-driven, sustained by personal sacrifice and community support.
“Real joy comes from giving. Agape empowerment means sharing, even when it leaves you with less,” he noted.
Dr. Iloegune added that the foundation operates on the principle of “humanitarian work without borders,” stressing that sincerity, rather than politics or publicity, is the driving force.
“We may not have donors today, but when people see sincerity, they will support. Those we empower today will tomorrow empower others,” he said.
The inauguration featured departmental presentations and interactive sessions, where stakeholders were urged to partner in building a sustainable model of grassroots empowerment across Africa.
