On Friday, January 3rd, 2025, the Garden of Hope Foundation, in collaboration with the Owerre-Nkwoji Community, celebrated a significant milestone with a ground-breaking ceremony for a pioneering cancer-free treatment hospital. The event began at 11a.m. at the compound of Sir Josiah Ezirim in Umoke Village, Owerre-Nkwoji, drawing key figures from the community and beyond.
Professor Engr. Egondu Rosemary Onyejekwe, Founder and President of the Garden of Hope Foundation, spearheaded the ceremony. She was joined by Nze Emmanuel Chidi Ezirim, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and Comrade Levi Kelechi Onwujuruba, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees and Project Manager.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of His Royal Majesty Boniface Chukwuemeka Unogu, the Ishigbo of Owerre-Nkwoji, along with his queen, Lolo Comfort Unohu. Other notable attendees included Chief Barr. Uchenna Alaoma, the President General of Owerre-Nkwoji Town Union, High Chief Chijioke Francis Akunnia Tassie, the Lord Mayor of Owerre-Nkwoji, and Mrs. Agatha Onyeso, President General (women's wing) of the Town. The event also saw participation from Nzes, religious leaders, societal groups, community members, and well-wishers.
This ambitious initiative is made possible through the generous contributions of Ndi na Ozo Owerre-Nkwoji and the broader community, showcasing a united front in the fight against cancer. The Garden of Hope Foundation aims to uplift the community through comprehensive development programs that address health, education, industry, and agriculture.
The momentous occasion in Owerre-Nkwoji, highlighted the remarkable impact of its President and Founder, Professor Engr. Egondu Onyejekwe. Introduced as an accomplished Engineer and Health Professional, her extensive credentials reflect her intellectual prowess and dedication to serving humanity. With a career that includes three years as a Consultant for the World Health Organization (WHO) Metrics System and two decades at The Ohio State University, where she rapidly advanced to the position of Director of Emerging Technologies, Prof. Onyejekwe exemplifies a commitment to excellence in both Health and Engineering.
Her dedication to uplifting others is not solely confined to her professional achievements; she is also known for her incredible warmth, generosity, and infectious humor. She loves people! emphasizing her willingness to lend a helping hand and offer guidance without judgment. Prof. Onyejekwe serves as a role model in the community, inspiring those around her through her actions and spirit.
In her address, Professor Onyejekwe expressed her vision for the foundation, stating, We are dedicated to transforming lives and nurturing our community by fostering health and education while instilling enduring values for a brighter future. This hospital will stand as a beacon of hope for those battling cancer.
In an exclusive interview with CEOAFRICA, Professor Engr. Egondu Rosemary Onyejekwe, the President and Founder of the Garden of Hope Foundation, passionately articulated her vision for community upliftment, particularly focusing on the establishment of a cancer-free treatment hospital in Owerre-Nkwoji. She shared that the foundation was born out of a deep commitment to raise the community, emphasizing a collaborative approach encapsulated in her mantra: "We will rise together by holding each others hands."
Prof. Onyejekwe advocates for a bottom-up approach, encouraging community members to leverage their skills and knowledge for collective progress. We started with health, she noted, explaining that the foundation aims to create a robust data management system to secure grants and funding for health initiatives. What makes this ground-breaking event special is that for the first time, we are establishing a data management system to maintain medical records for individuals visiting the community health center, ensuring continuity in patient care, she elaborated.
The foundation has already completed Phase 1, which focused on monitoring blood pressure, and Phase 2, which targeted diabetes management. Addressing a critical challenge in the community, she explained, Instead of requiring funds to transport patients to distant hospitals, we bring the doctors into the villages. With thirteen villages in Owerre-Nkwoji, including Umoke village as the primary hub, the foundation delivers healthcare directly to the people and provides medications on-site.
The land where the hospital will be built holds personal significance for Prof. Onyejekwe; it was inherited from her parents but gifted by her brother, Isaac Ezirim, to serve the mission of the Garden of Hope Foundation. This land is dedicated to our cause, she stated.
Reflecting on the financial aspect of the foundation's establishment, Prof. Onyejekwe revealed that she and her brother, Emmanuel Ezirim, have committed nearly 7 million naira to launch the initiative. However, she highlighted challenges in securing additional funding: The difficult part of collecting grants lies outside our scope. We need to formalize our data in a way that represents a critical mass to attract necessary support for our projects.
As a breast cancer survivor and health professional, Prof. Onyejekwes personal experience profoundly motivates her focus on health services. My experience humbled me, and I wish to ensure that others have access to the resources they need, she affirmed. Beyond health, the foundation plans to tackle education, agriculture, and commerce, aiming to open new avenues for the community that had previously been closed. Our vision is holistic, she concluded. We aim to provide not just medication, but also food and other essential resources to help our people thrive.
Prof. Onyejekwe has also dedicated herself to dismantling the stigma surrounding cancer in her community. For me, the journey began after I survived breast cancer, she explained. I am proof that cancer does not have to be a death sentence. My diagnosis at stages 0 and 1 allowed for early intervention, and although I faced challenges with reconstructive surgery, I emerged with a mission.
Her advocacy was catalyzed by the deep emotions she experienced as her daughter anxiously awaited her surgery results, highlighting misconceptions about the disease. Cancer is often seen as a killer, and I want to prove that it's not, she emphasized. Now, with five years of survivorship behind her, she is determined to encourage early detection and treatment within her community.
Equipped with six academic degrees and extensive experience—including serving as a consultant for the World Health Organization's Metrics System—Prof. Onyejekwe leverages her personal and professional background to educate others. I realized that instead of relying solely on traditional academic knowledge, I could share my authentic journey to reach those who are misinformed, she remarked.
Her commitment to health outreach led her to complete a 12-week course as a Community Health Worker, where she graduated as valedictorian. This experience reinforced my belief in the importance of grassroots healthcare initiatives, she noted. I want to reach hundreds of thousands of people whom doctors and nurses may not be able to reach.
Identifying gaps in healthcare access in Owerre-Nkwoji, Prof. Onyejekwe noted a significant lack of individual medical records, which impedes consistent patient care. "Our first priority must be establishing health records for individuals, creating a system where doctors can follow their patients' histories," she stressed.
The foundation is implementing phase-wise health screenings, starting with blood pressure tests, transitioning to diabetes management, and future plans for malaria and various cancers. "We did crash-courses in training people, we started with running blood pressure tests and then we proceeded into diabetes, phase 3 would be malaria tests while phase 4 would be cancer (prostate cancer for men) and 3 cancers for women- breast, cervical and uterine."
In addition to health initiatives, the Garden of Hope Foundation has set its sights on broader areas of community development, including agriculture, education, and commerce. Prof. Onyejekwe believes that sustainable change stems from a bottom-up approach, engaging the community in these efforts.
During the Nze initiation ceremony, Prof. Onyejekwe expressed her gratitude for the support she has received from the Nze society and various partners. "The unity displayed by our traditional leaders, who pledged to sponsor the Garden of Hope Foundation, is both inspiring and empowering," she noted. "I am grateful to my mentor, family, and the Nze society for their unwavering support."
The foundation seeks to partner with institutions, non-profits, and NGOs to amplify its impact in the community. "People are dying while bureaucratic processes are being followed," she implored. "We need partnerships that enable us to act swiftly and effectively to save lives."
Prof. Onyejekwe's dedication to her community and her vision for a healthier future encapsulate the spirit of the Garden of Hope Foundation, making it a beacon of hope for the residents of Owerre-Nkwoji and beyond. With her leadership, the foundation aims to transform misinformation about health and empower individuals to take charge of their well-being
In a significant step towards enhancing healthcare services in rural areas, Nze Emmanuel Chidi Ezirim, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, proudly announced the establishment of the Hope Foundation headquarters. Speaking at the dedication ceremony, Ezirim emphasized that the facility will serve as a central hub for coordinating various health-related services, rather than a treatment center.
"This land has been dedicated to be the headquarters for the Hope Foundation. It is not where treatment will be done, but where other services will be coordinated from," Ezirim said. He highlighted the important role of the Hope Garden, which symbolizes a beacon of hope for the community, reflecting the diverse aspirations of those it serves.
Ezirim paid tribute to his sister, the vision bearer behind this innovative project, praising her resilience as a cancer survivor and her unwavering commitment to improving health services in rural regions. "I am so proud of my sister today," he remarked. "What triggered this initiative was her journey as a cancer survivor, which ignited her passion for advancing rural health."
He further asserted that the project marks a pioneering effort in the region, aiming to move beyond traditional models of healthcare delivery. "This project is the first in our hemisphere. We are surpassing the AD models of delivering healthcare in rural areas," Ezirim explained. "What we are starting here is the template that will be used to service the rest of the world in rural places."
The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a free cancer treatment hospital in Owerre-Nkwoji was met with heartfelt gratitude and support from key community leaders and stakeholders. In an interview, Barr. Uchenna Alaoma, the President General of Owerre-Nkwoji ancient kingdom, echoed these sentiments, calling the hospital's establishment an historic event. I am so happy that history is being made under my leadership. This free cancer treatment hospital is a monumental achievement, he stated. Barr. Alaoma assured attendees that the community would offer robust support for the initiative—morally, physically, and financially stressing its significance to the community. This is our creation, and it must be a success, he affirmed.
Mrs. Agatha Onyeso, the President General of the Owerre-Nkwoji Town (women's wing), added her voice to the chorus of praise, highlighting the positive impact the hospital will have on local residents. I am very happy for what is happening in our town today. Laying the foundation is a pivotal moment that will lead to positive health changes for our people, she remarked. Mrs. Onyeso expressed her gratitude to Prof. Onyejekwe, stating, What she did today will remain in history, and I pray that God will give her the enablement to continue her important work.
Rev. Father Jude Erinne, the Parish Priest of St. Thomas, expressed his joy and appreciation for the event, stating, This place we are is a station to our parish. I thank God for the ground-breaking of todays event. I am very delighted that Prof. Onyejekwe wanted to use this occasion as a thanksgiving for surviving her cancer ailment. He emphasized the importance of the hospital, noting that it would provide free treatment to individuals in need. I am so happy and grateful to God to be part of this. While similar initiatives have occurred elsewhere, it's especially fulfilling to see it happen in my own community, where I've served for three years, he said. Rev. Father Erinne expressed fervent hope that Prof. Onyejekwe would receive the financial blessings necessary to realize her vision.
The event also included the formal induction of Executive Officers and the Board of Trustees, with participants taking an oath of office to affirm their commitment to the foundations mission. This swearing-in ceremony represents a crucial step in strengthening the organization's leadership and governance.
In addition to the formal proceedings, the celebration featured a presentation of awards to recognize outstanding contributions within the community. The festivities were further enhanced by an entertaining performance from the Amaigbo Okorosha Traditional Dance Group, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the region. Attendees enjoyed a delightful spread of food and drinks, creating a festive atmosphere that fostered a sense of unity and camaraderie among community members.
The ground-breaking ceremony not only symbolizes a commitment to improving health care in Owerre-Nkwoji but also showcases the power of community support and the collective effort to bring about meaningful change. With the foundation laying the groundwork for a brighter and healthier future, residents are filled with hope for the transformative potential of the new hospital.
The Hope Foundation's initiative promises to create a lasting impact on health services, emphasizing a community-driven approach to healthcare that aligns with the unique needs of rural populations. As anticipation builds for this groundbreaking project, the foundation pledges to cultivate hope and implement effective strategies for rural healthcare into the future, which promises to enhance the health and well-being of Owerre-Nkwoji's residents profoundly.
The event not only marked the beginning of a crucial healthcare facility but also highlighted the strength and solidarity of the Owerre-Nkwoji community in addressing vital health challenges. The hospital is expected to play a key role in enhancing health outcomes and providing specialized care for residents, contributing significantly to the region's overall well-being.
