For Onyekwere Akym Uche, International business man, Politician and founder of the OAU foundation, philanthropy is not defined by the size of a donation or the visibility of a charitable gesture, but by the lasting difference it makes in the lives of people. He believes that meaningful giving must ultimately empower beneficiaries to rise above dependency, acquire capacity and become contributors to the development of their families and communities.
In this exclusive conversation with our NS correspondent, OAU speaks on the philosophy behind his philanthropic engagements, the vision of the OAU Foundation, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, mentorship, education and the responsibility of successful individuals to give back to society. He also shares his thoughts on leadership and development, arguing that the most enduring form of philanthropy is one that invests in people and creates a chain of opportunity that continues long after the initial intervention.
NS: What does philanthropy mean to you beyond the conventional idea of giving to people?
OAU: Philanthropy, to me, is fundamentally about people. Giving is certainly part of it, but philanthropy should go much further than handing out money or materials. It should identify human needs, restore dignity and create opportunities for people to improve their circumstances. Sometimes, what a person needs is immediate assistance, but in many other cases, what that person needs is an opportunity, education, a skill, mentorship, healthcare, access to capital or someone willing to believe in their potential. The main objective should be to make lives better in a manner that can endure.
NS: You founded the OAU Foundation. What inspired you to establish a foundation dedicated to impacting lives?
OAU: The OAU Foundation grew out of a conviction that success carries responsibility. Whatever God has given us, whether it is knowledge, financial resources, influence, professional experience or relationships, should have a positive impact beyond ourselves. I have always believed that there is fulfilment in seeing another person become stronger because you extended a hand of support. The Foundation is therefore not simply about giving. It is about identifying needs, supporting people and communities, creating opportunities and contributing to a society where more people can become productive and self-reliant.
NS: What distinguishes sustainable philanthropy from ordinary charity?
OAU: The difference is in the outcome. Charity can respond to an immediate need, and there is nothing wrong with that. If somebody is hungry, you feed the person. If someone requires urgent medical assistance, you help where you can. But sustainable philanthropy asks what happens after that immediate intervention. Can we help that individual acquire a skill? Can we support a business? Can we provide educational opportunities? Can we help someone become capable of supporting a family? That is where philanthropy becomes transformational. I believe we should move people from vulnerability towards capacity and from dependence towards independence.
NS: How does the OAU Foundation approach youth empowerment?
OAU: Young people are not merely beneficiaries of development. They are participants and potential drivers of it. Our young people have tremendous energy, creativity and ideas, but those qualities must be matched with opportunities. Youth empowerment should therefore encompass education, vocational and digital skills, entrepreneurship, mentorship and access to opportunities. If you give a young person a skill and the opportunity to use that skill productively, you have potentially created an income stream that can support not only that individual but an entire family.
NS: You have also spoken about entrepreneurship. Why is it important to philanthropy and empowerment?
OAU: Entrepreneurship creates value and, importantly, it can create employment for others. We must not always measure empowerment by how many people received something on a particular day. We should also ask how many people became economically productive afterwards. If you support an entrepreneur who eventually employs ten people, the impact has multiplied. That is why I am interested in interventions that can help people build sustainable enterprises. Nigeria has an enormous entrepreneurial spirit. What many people need is the right combination of skills, capital, mentorship, infrastructure and market access.
NS: What role does mentorship play in the philosophy behind your foundation?
OAU: Mentorship is extremely important because money alone does not necessarily provide direction. Someone may have a good business idea but lack the experience to navigate the challenges that come with building a business. Someone else may have talent but lack confidence or the right guidance. Those of us who have travelled certain paths have a responsibility to share what we have learnt. Sometimes, one conversation with the right mentor can save a young person years of avoidable mistakes. Through mentorship, we transfer not only knowledge but also values, discipline and perspective.
NS: What would you say to people who believe philanthropy should focus mainly on giving material assistance?
OAU: Material assistance remains important, particularly when people are confronted by genuine and immediate hardship. But we should not stop there. If someone receives food today, we should also think about how that person can become capable of providing food tomorrow. If we give a young person money, can we also help that person understand how to manage it or turn it into productive capital? The point is not to diminish giving. It is to make giving more meaningful. The greatest investment we can make is in people because developed people can create solutions long after the original intervention has ended.
NS: How important is education in your vision of philanthropy?
OAU: Education remains one of the most powerful instruments for changing the trajectory of a person's life. A scholarship can open a door that might otherwise remain closed. Supporting education is therefore an investment in future capacity. But education should also evolve with the needs of the economy. We should encourage young people to acquire practical, technical and digital competencies alongside formal academic qualifications. The world is changing rapidly, and our young people must be prepared to participate competitively in that changing environment.
NS: What is your perspective on philanthropy towards women and vulnerable groups?
OAU: Philanthropy must be inclusive. Women, young people, persons with disabilities and vulnerable families all deserve access to opportunities that enable them to participate meaningfully in society. Supporting a woman to establish or expand a viable enterprise, for instance, can have significant consequences for her household and community. We must therefore look beyond the immediate beneficiary and consider the wider social impact. When you strengthen a person who has responsibility for others, the benefit can spread considerably.
National Sunrise: As a businessman, how has your experience in the private sector influenced your approach to philanthropy?
OAU: Business teaches you about sustainability, accountability, planning and the importance of creating value. You learn that resources must be properly managed if an organisation is going to survive and grow. I believe the same principles can improve philanthropy. We should know what problem we are trying to solve, identify the resources required, establish clear objectives and evaluate the outcome. Philanthropy should have compassion, but compassion should be accompanied by strategy. Good intentions are important, but we should also be concerned about measurable impact.
NS: What is your view of the relationship between government, business and philanthropy?
OAU: Development is a collective responsibility. Government has a fundamental role because it provides institutions, infrastructure, policies and the broader environment in which society operates. The private sector creates businesses, investment and employment, while philanthropists and civil society can complement both by addressing specific needs and creating additional opportunities. None of these sectors can do everything alone. When they collaborate responsibly, the possibilities become much greater. The objective should always be to improve the quality of life of the people.
NS: How would you describe the leadership philosophy that informs your public engagement?
OAU: Leadership should be about responsibility and service. It should not be viewed merely as a position or title. A leader must understand that people are trusting that individual with influence and responsibility. Whether in business, community affairs, philanthropy or politics, I believe leadership should be measured by the value one creates and the lives one positively influences. We should leave institutions, communities and people better than we met them.
NS: You have remained interested in issues concerning Abia State. What do you believe is necessary to build a stronger economic future for the state?
OAU: Abia has enormous human and entrepreneurial capital. We need to harness these strengths through infrastructure, education, enterprise development, investment and responsible governance. I have also consistently supported Gov Alex Otti and the Labour Party because I believe in the importance of development-oriented governance and the transformation of institutions. But government cannot do everything. Individuals, businesses, professionals and the diaspora must also contribute. A prosperous Abia will require everybody to play a role.
NS: What is your message to successful Nigerians who want to give back but may not know where to begin?
OAU: Start where you are and identify a genuine need. You do not necessarily have to establish a large foundation before you can make an impact. You can sponsor a child's education, mentor a young person, support a small business, provide healthcare assistance or contribute your expertise to a community initiative. What matters is intentionality and sincerity. As your capacity grows, your impact can grow with it. We should cultivate a culture where success naturally produces a desire to create opportunities for others.
NS: Finally, what legacy do you want the OAU Foundation to build?
OAU: I would like the legacy to be measured in people whose lives became better and stronger because the Foundation existed. I want to see people who received support becoming independent, businesses growing, young people acquiring useful skills, families gaining opportunities and communities becoming more resilient. If someone we support eventually becomes successful and begins to support others, then the impact has multiplied beyond us. That is the kind of legacy I value. Philanthropy should not end with the person who gives. It should continue through the people whose lives have been transformed.
NS: Thank you, Hon. Chief Onyekwere Akym Uche, for your time and insights.
OAU: Thank you. It is always a privilege to discuss issues concerning our people and the future of our communities.