By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Executive Secretary of the Ebonyi State Health Insurance Agency (EBSHIA), Dr. Divine Okemefuna Igwe has launched the Dr. Divine Igwe Impact Foundation (DDIF), a multi-sector humanitarian initiative aimed at expanding access to healthcare, education, economic empowerment, agriculture and sports across Ebonyi State.
The launch, held at the open field of Community Primary School, Nwode-Umuoghara in Ezza North LGA, also saw the flag-off of a ₦5 million football tournament involving the 11 wards of the council area. At the event, the Foundation rolled out an educational empowerment scheme, awarding grants totalling over ₦3 million to 13 students selected from all political wards of Ezza North.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Igwe said he was inspired to establish the Foundation by the “compassionate and exemplary leadership of Governor Francis Nwifuru and his wife.” He described the educational support as an investment in the future and urged philanthropists and well-meaning citizens to join efforts to build a better future for their communities. “Today is a day of expanding hope; today is a day of scaling up our impact; today is about building a future where no one is left behind,” Dr. Igwe said.
National Coordinator of DDIF and development consultant, Dr. Ibiam Azu Agwu, outlined the Foundation’s mission and core values, saying it was founded on “compassion, integrity, service, equity and sustainability” and established to restore hope, uplift the vulnerable and drive transformational development. Agwu added: “His vision is clear: to build a society where every individual regardless of their background has access to quality healthcare, education, and opportunities for growth.”
Agwu also detailed the Foundation’s interventions ahead of the public launch: educational empowerment for 18 basic-education students and support for others pursuing master’s degrees; strengthened training for healthcare professionals at Uburu School of Nursing; payment of ₦1,000,000 in house rent for vulnerable individuals; branding support for police vans to enhance visibility and mobility; enrollment of over 5,000 children into the state health insurance scheme; enrollment of over 1,000 pregnant women to ensure safe maternal and newborn care; and sponsorship of free eye surgeries, hernia repairs and fibroid surgeries for about 200 beneficiaries.
Chairman of the occasion and Ebonyi State Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Chief Oguzor Offia-Nwali, praised Dr. Igwe’s passion and dedication, noting that through his office at EBSHIA — in collaboration with Governor Nwifuru and his wife — quality healthcare has been taken to all nooks and crannies of the state at no cost to beneficiaries. He expressed optimism that the Foundation would break unprecedented ground and urged the public to support its programmes.
Other dignitaries who spoke at the launch described Dr. Igwe as a committed and compassionate leader. They included the Managing Director of Anambra State Health Insurance Agency and Chairman, Forum of CEOs of State Social Health Insurance Agencies in Nigeria, Dr. Simeon Onyemaechi, and the Chairman of Ezza North LGA, Chief Moses Ogodoali Nome. They prayed for God to prosper and sustain Igwe and the Foundation for greater future impact.
Voices from beneficiaries were strong and grateful. Speaking on behalf of the students, Chidinma Eze Nwakpa said: “We pledge not to disappoint, but to be good ambassadors of the Foundation in our various schools and academic pursuits.”
The event drew stakeholders from across political, social and professional divides in Ezza North and beyond, marking the formal public launch of a foundation that, organizers say, has already begun touching lives across the state.