Founder relishes accomplishments as Marky Elechi Foundation is formally launched in Afikpo

By Paul Okah, Abuja

A South Korea based entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian, Mr Mark Elechi, is presently the happiest man in the world today following the formal launch of the Marky Elechi Foundation, which started operations in December last year.

The launch of the Marky Elechi Foundation was held at Amachi, in Afikpo North Local Government Area (LGA) of Ebonyi State on Saturday, April 24, which coincided with the 34th birthday celebration of the Founder.

Blueprint reports that, as prelude to the official launch of the Foundation, the management of the Foundation carried out several humanitarian and selfless interventions in the LGA and on social media.

On Thursday April 22, the Foundation distributed 70 bags of rice and other essentials to the women of Uhu village in Orrah, Ozizza, in Afikpo North LGA, while 30 persons with disabilities (PWDs) in different parts of Ozizza received 30 bags of rice and other essentials.

Also, on Friday, April 23, the Foundation organised a friendly football match between Afikpo North East and Afikpo North West constituencies at the Government College Airport Stadium, which ended 3-1 in favour of Afikpo North East.

Similarly, on Saturday April 24, the foundation visited the maternity ward of the Mother of Mercy Hospital and Mater Misericordia Hospital, both in Afikpo and distributed gift items to new born babies, while outstanding bills of some nursing mothers were also paid by the Foundation; to ensure they were discharged.

Furthermore, in fulfillment of the pledge of the Foundation to reward loyal friends, who have been consistent on the social media pages of the Foundation by liking and commenting on its posts, N2,000 airtime each was sent to 25 beneficiaries from different parts of the country.

Similarly, in keeping with the Foundation’s promise to appreciate friends who have been consistent in sharing its posts and inviting friends to the social media page, the Foundation distributed N3,000 each to 27 beneficiaries from different parts of the country.

Investigations by Blueprint reveal that, from December last year till date, every weekend, the Foundation always ask “what can 5,000 do for you?” to social media followers, with the best answer going home with the N5, 000, while the person with the most likes for Friday proverbs competition wins N5,000.

Also, the person with the most likes gets N5, 000 in a cooking competition on Saturdays, while winners of Bible quiz go home with N9, 000 every Sunday for answering three Bible questions (N3,000 for each question).

Furthermore, as a result of the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, on March 8, this year, the Foundation donated two automated hand washing machines each to St Brigid’s Catholic Church, Imama and Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Orrah, both in Ozizza.

Also, during the formal opening of the Foundation office, empowerment items, including sewing machines, were presented to 14 beneficiaries of a skill acquisition programme earlier sponsored by the Foundation.

Earlier on, Mark Elechi personally provided N133,000 to a less privileged student of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI), Miss Ologwu Esther Chioma, to enable her resume school, following difficulties in her meeting up with tuition fees, though the foundation earlier supported her with N101,000; making N234,000 for her academic expenses.

In an interview with our reporter, the founder of Marky Elechi Foundation, Mr Mark Elechi, said that the overall objective of the Foundation is to provide succour to the less privileged, widows and youths in areas of employment, education, healthcare, among others.

He said: “Marky Elechi Foundation is a Nigerian based NGO established on 5th December, 2020, with the core objective of providing succour to the less privileged, widows and youths in areas of employment, education, healthcare, etc.

“So far, we have recorded modest results in carrying out the aforementioned interventions. For instance, in December, upon take off, we successfully hosted a maiden edition of female football tournament for young girls in Ozizza community. We also distributed food items to widows and disabled persons in Afikpo North LGA. In January this year, by the grace of God, we registered 16 intelligent, but indigent students for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) across the 12 wards in Afikpo North LGA.

“As part of activities marking the inauguration of our Foundation and the opening of our office, we empowered 14 other indigent girls, whom we have trained in choice trades with tools worth N50,000 each, totaling N700,000, while similar gesture would be extended to their male counterparts on the 24th of May, 2021, with as many more programs as possible following suit.

“Additionally, food items and other essentials were distributed to the women of Uhu village and disabled persons across Ozizza autonomous community. In a nutshell, we have a lot of programmes coming up in the Foundation as our objective is adding to humanity.

“As I always say, you have not lived until you do something for someone who can not repay you. Moreover, we rise by lifting others. It’s not as if we are swimming in money, but the scriptures says that ‘blessed is the one who considers the needy! In the day of trouble the Lord delivers him’. So, all we have, God gave us and we should endeavour to give to humanity at all times.”