In commemoration with the 68th birthday of late Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Samuel Chukwudumebi Oseji, the Oseji Foundation for Transparency and Community Development has donated Biology laboratory equipment and awarded prizes to best performing students in Idumuje- Mixed Secondary School, Idumuje- Unor, Delta State.
Presenting the award to the students during the occasion in Idumuje- Unor, the Coordinator of the Foundation, Dr. Minnie Oseji said the humanitarian service was geared towards supporting community-based projects in health, education, justice; award of prizes to individuals and organisations that promote community development
According to the Coordinator, The Oseji Foundation (TOF) for Transparency and Community Development which was born on December 12, 2012 in commemoration of the 20th wedding anniversary of Hon. Justice Samuel Oseji and Dr. (Mrs.) Minnie Oseji was aimed at empowering communities to plan, implement and evaluate self-help project; collaborating with other organisations to advocate for transparency and community development and creating awareness on the benefits of promoting transparency at Community, Local, State, National and International levels.
While highlighting the achievements of the Foundation, she said it had provided Free Eye Health Care for residents of Idumuje-Unor in Aniocha North LGA in 2013; prizes for best graduating pupil in Civic Education and Primary Science in Marble Hill School Okpanam in 2013; donation to Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Delta State Branch Cancer Screening Project in 2017; donation of fliers and cash to the Universal Blood Donors Development Centre in 2018; donation of adult ambubags to Delta State University Teaching Hospital, Oghara in 2018; provision of Free Health Insurance for 10 people in 2019; Youth Empowerment in 2019; support for colposcopy for five women in 2021; donation to Hephzibah Foundation Widows Outreach in 2021; donation of stepper for Ultrasound Room in General Hospital Okwe-Asaba in 2022; donation to Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria Delta State Branch for the organisation of International Women’s Day activity in 2022 and organisation of Maternal Health Competition for Medical Doctors in 2022.
According to her, the foundation does not raise funds externally, but uses funds from the Samuel and Minnie Oseji family members to support projects and programmes as the need arises, adding that the Foundation collaborates with other organisations to carry out community-based activities.
She said “through our philanthropic activities, God had accelerated the healing myself and my family are experiencing after our Patriarch, Hon. Justice Samuel Oseji went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, September 28, 2021. According to Hazel Gaynor, to live in the hearts of those we love is never to die”.
The Coordinator disclosed that as part of the activities for Hon. Oseji’s first memorial service, the Foundation would be organising a lecture in his honour on September 28, 2022, adding that the lecture will be held on the 2nd of June annually to celebrate the happy life and successful times of Justice Oseji.
The Coordinator commended Chairman, MyDoc Healthcare & Education Foundation & Representative of Sponsoring Partners, Dr. Chukwudi Awolo for the development of Idumuje Mixed Secondary School Idumuje-Unor; Chairman, Education Committee of the Idumuje-Unor Brain Trust, Mr. Nwanonye; The Monarch of Idumuje Unor, HRM Obi Charles Anyasi III; Her Royal Majesty, Queen Esther for their contributions.
While thanking the Principal and other school officials for responding promptly to request for information about the equipment needs in the Biology Laboratory as well as the details of the deserving students, she expressed optimism that the equipment and other equipment that would come in the future would assist in preparing many of the students to study to become Medical Doctors, Pharmacists, Nurses, Scientists, Inventors etc. in future.
Other activities to mark the event were the presentation of prizes to best performing pupils in the three Primary Schools in Idumuje-Unor namely Ojeifo, Nkwor and Ikeke Primary Schools; organisation of a two-Day Revival Crusade in Idumuje-Unor from June 3 through June 4, 2022; organisation of free health services for residents on Friday, June 3 and June 10, 2022.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the book titled ‘A Dove on the Bench’, which consists of 13 of his selected judgements, compiled by his colleagues in his honour, which Dr Oseji said would be of inspiration to those who which to study Law after reading the book.
