Former Abia State governorship candidate, business man and founder of the OAU foundation, Hon. Onyekwere Akym Uche, also known as OAU, has advocated a more sustainable and impact-driven approach to philanthropy, stressing that the ultimate objective of giving should be to restore dignity, build capacity and create pathways to lasting independence.
OAU made the submission during an interaction with our correspondent, where he reflected on the place of philanthropy in community development and the responsibility of individuals, organisations and institutions to ensure that interventions designed to assist vulnerable people translate into measurable and enduring improvements in their lives.
According to him, while charitable assistance remains important in addressing immediate needs, philanthropy must evolve beyond the traditional model of giving temporary relief to one that equips beneficiaries with the resources, knowledge and opportunities required to become self-reliant.
“The greatest investment we can make is in people. When you invest in a person, you are not merely solving a problem for today; you are creating the possibility of transforming a family, a community and, ultimately, society. That is why I believe our approach to philanthropy must increasingly focus on building people and creating opportunities for them to become independent,” Akym said.
He explained that sustainable philanthropy should be measured not merely by the volume of items distributed or the number of people reached during a particular intervention, but by the lasting impact such assistance creates in the lives of beneficiaries.
Onyekwere Akym Uche noted that there is a significant difference between alleviating hardship temporarily and addressing the underlying conditions that perpetuate poverty and dependency. While emergency assistance may provide immediate relief, he maintained that sustainable empowerment should equip beneficiaries with the capacity to generate income, acquire employable skills, establish businesses and participate productively in the economy.
“Giving somebody food when that person is hungry is important, and we should never underestimate the value of meeting an immediate need. But we should also ask ourselves what happens after that food is consumed. How do we help that person become capable of providing food for himself or herself tomorrow? That is where sustainable empowerment comes in,” he said.
The entrepreneur and development advocate stressed that philanthropy should therefore encompass education, vocational training, entrepreneurship, access to capital, mentorship, healthcare, scholarships and other interventions capable of improving people's long-term quality of life.
He particularly emphasised the importance of education and skills development, describing them as among the most effective instruments for breaking cycles of poverty and expanding opportunities for young people.
According to him, providing a young person with a marketable skill can have a multiplier effect because such an individual can eventually create value for others, employ additional hands and become capable of supporting members of the family and community.
“Sometimes, the most powerful gift you can give someone is not money. It is knowledge, a skill, an opportunity or access to somebody who can open a door. If you teach a person how to create value, you have given that person something that can continue producing results long after the initial intervention,” OAU stated.
His position comes against the backdrop of increasing emphasis on structured youth development in Abia State, where current initiatives have identified entrepreneurship, technology, vocational training, mentorship, innovation and private-sector partnerships as important components of sustainable youth empowerment.
The founder of the OAU foundation, also called for greater collaboration between philanthropists, businesses, government institutions, non-governmental organisations and community leaders, arguing that complex social challenges cannot be adequately addressed through isolated interventions.
He maintained that individuals and organisations with the capacity to give should consider partnerships that allow their resources to achieve broader and more sustainable outcomes.
“We cannot do everything individually. There is enormous value in collaboration. A philanthropist may have the resources, another organisation may have the technical expertise, government may provide the institutional framework, while community leaders understand the needs of the people. When these strengths come together, the impact can be much greater,” he said.
Onyekwere Akym further advocated transparency and accountability in philanthropic initiatives, noting that proper monitoring and evaluation would enable donors and beneficiaries alike to determine whether interventions were achieving their intended objectives.
He argued that every empowerment initiative should have clearly defined goals and measurable outcomes, rather than being organised merely for visibility or immediate public acclaim.
“Philanthropy should not be about who gave the biggest donation or who received the loudest applause. It should be about impact. Did the intervention change a life? Did it create an opportunity? Did a beneficiary become more productive? Did a business survive and grow? Did a young person gain the confidence and capacity to build a future? Those are the questions that matter,” Akym said.
He also urged beneficiaries of empowerment programmes to take ownership of opportunities presented to them, stressing that sustainable development requires responsibility from both the giver and the recipient.
According to him, empowerment cannot achieve its full purpose if beneficiaries remain perpetually dependent on external assistance. He therefore encouraged recipients to regard support as a foundation upon which to build rather than as a permanent substitute for personal initiative.
“Empowerment is a partnership. Someone may provide the opportunity, but the beneficiary must be willing to put in the work. If you receive capital, use it productively. If you receive training, apply the knowledge. If somebody gives you an opportunity, maximise it. The goal should be to move from receiving help to becoming someone who can help others,” he said.
The philanthropist further called on successful individuals, particularly those who have benefited from opportunities within and outside their communities, to cultivate a culture of giving back.
He observed that communities become stronger when people who have attained a measure of success deliberately invest in the next generation, whether through mentorship, scholarships, business support, community projects or professional guidance.
“Success becomes more meaningful when it creates a pathway for others. We should not build our lives around the philosophy of ‘I made it, so everyone should find their own way.’ Somebody helped us, somebody opened a door, somebody believed in us. We have a responsibility to do the same for others,” OAU stated.
He stressed that philanthropy should also be inclusive, noting that women, young people, persons living with disabilities, vulnerable families and people in underserved communities should have meaningful access to opportunities that can improve their circumstances.
Hon. Onyekwere Akym Uche argued that sustainable empowerment must be rooted in dignity, explaining that beneficiaries should not be treated merely as recipients of charity but as individuals possessing talents, ideas and abilities that can contribute to society when properly supported.
He said this was particularly important in the development of young people, whose energy, creativity and entrepreneurial potential could become major drivers of economic growth if matched with appropriate skills, mentorship and access to opportunities.
“Every young person has something to contribute. Sometimes the difference between a young person who succeeds and one who struggles is simply access to opportunity. If we can identify talent, provide training, create access to finance and connect people to mentors and markets, we can unlock tremendous human potential,” he said.
Akym maintained that the same philosophy should guide community development projects, noting that infrastructure and material interventions become more meaningful when they are designed around the actual needs and long-term aspirations of the people.
He advocated community-driven development, where beneficiaries are consulted and involved in determining priorities, arguing that local participation improves ownership, accountability and sustainability.
“People know what their communities need. We must listen to them. Development should not always be something imposed from outside. When people participate in identifying the problem and shaping the solution, they are more likely to protect and sustain what has been created,” he said.
The international business man also called for a generational culture of mentorship, saying that philanthropy should not only transfer financial resources but also transfer knowledge, experience, networks and values.
He noted that young entrepreneurs and professionals could benefit enormously from access to experienced people who are willing to guide them through challenges and help them avoid costly mistakes.
Looking ahead, OAU expressed optimism that a more strategic culture of philanthropy could contribute significantly to reducing poverty, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening communities across Abia State and Nigeria.
He said the objective should be to create a society where assistance serves as a bridge to independence rather than a permanent destination.
“The real measure of philanthropy is not how dependent people become on you, but how many people become strong enough to stand on their own because you helped them. If someone you supported eventually becomes successful and starts supporting other people, then your impact has multiplied. That, for me, is the true meaning of empowerment,” OAU said.
He concluded by urging individuals, corporate organisations, public institutions and community leaders to see investment in human beings as one of the most enduring forms of development, stressing that roads, buildings and other physical infrastructure are important, but people remain the ultimate drivers and custodians of progress.
“When we invest in people, we are investing in the future. Buildings can be constructed and infrastructure can be replaced, but when you develop a person, you create an enduring asset. That person can innovate, employ others, raise a family, serve a community and inspire another generation. That is why the greatest investment we can make is in people,” Onyekwere Akym Uche said.
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