Written by Amb. Comrade Kpoharor Emmanuel
UGHELLI, Delta State
As the Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation prepares to celebrate its 8th year anniversary in August 2026, Executive Director, Dr. Olotu Akpodiete JP, says the organization has remained focused on touching lives through education, security, health, humanitarian aid, and community development across Delta State.
Registered in 2018 to sustain the legacy of the late Chief Dr. Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete PhD, the foundation has, over the past eight years, implemented programs that cut across schools, prisons, orphanages, women groups, youths and traditional institutions.
Education and Learning Support
The foundation’s education drive began in 2019 with the distribution of notebooks and learning materials to pupils of Eseorphe Primary School and students of Government College Ughelli. That same year, it presented the Chief Ekuogbe Akpodiete Government Prize to the best student in Government at Government College Ughelli during the APT Awards. Students of Ogbavwe Secondary School in Usiefrun, Ughelli South, also received educational materials, and the school got a water borehole to address scarcity.
In 2020, during COVID-19, safety materials were donated to Government College Ughelli. Later that year, law students of Delta State University, Oleh Campus, received scholarships and grants, an effort that earned Dr. Akpodiete an Award of Excellence from the university provost Prof. Alex Amata.
In 2022, the foundation returned to Government College Ughelli to install ceiling fans in the School House Hostel and provide more learning materials. Most recently in 2025, during the 30th remembrance of Chief Ekuogbe Akpodiete, it awarded cash prizes and educational materials to students from over eight schools that took part in a debate competition hosted at Government College Ughelli.
Security, Peacebuilding and Advocacy
Since 2020, the foundation has run a Security and Safety Education Project in government schools. At Government College Ughelli, veteran consultant Mr. Sylvester Obose trained over 50 people including teachers, students and the school security team.
In 2025, two major security programs were held. A Memorial Lecture on Conflict Resolution and Community Security and Safety was organized at Ughelli Kingdom Hall where community leaders from Ughelli North & South including vigilantes were trained, members of the Delta State Advisory Council in attendance as Special Guests of Honour. Security communication gadgets were distributed to communities. Later, during the foundation’s 7th anniversary, another lecture on Conflict Resolution and Neighborhood Watch was held at Unity Hall, Ughelli South LGA Secretariat. Over 100 vigilante leaders and stakeholders attended, and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Oluwole Oladipupo, commended the initiative. Mobile sound systems and gadgets were also distributed to communities.
In 2025, the foundation also submitted a proposal to the Delta State Government advocating for the creation of a Ministry of Security to strengthen the state’s framework ahead of state policing.
Humanitarian Support for Vulnerable Groups
In 2018, Dr. Akpodiete and the Director, Deacon Ogaga Ohwojero, visited prisons in Sapele and Warri with donations of rice, beans, garri, tissue, bathing and washing soap, plus educational materials. A similar donation was made in Ogwashi-Uku Prison through Barr. Lilian Eserinune. Prison officials including DCP Solomon Airiohuodion and Mr. Okonkwo Frank applauded the gesture.
In 2024, during the 29th remembrance of Chief Ekuogbe Akpodiete, the foundation visited Rose Ilogbo Foundation and Christ Treasured Royal Ministry in Ughelli with foodstuff and cash for orphaned children. Founders Mrs. Rose Ilogbo and Rev. Dr. Abraham Erhuotor expressed gratitude.
Women Empowerment and Social Welfare
The foundation runs yearly support for women and widows in U3. In 2025, during the 30th remembrance, over 50 women from Otor Ihwreko in Ughelli North received business grants and wrappers. Chief Dr. Linda Ikpuri urged them to invest the grants wisely.
In August 2025, more women across Ughelli North, South and Udu received grants and gift items. In 2026, over 100 widows across the three LGAs got cash donations and wrappers.
“Given the harsh economy of the country, we cannot afford to abandon our mothers and widows. This is why we have made it a yearly mandate to support them,” Dr. Akpodiete stated.
Human Capital and Skills Development
In 2018, the foundation held a two-day seminar on the fish farming value chain at Otor Iwhreko Town Hall for over 100 youths and women. In 2019, more than 70 participants were trained on digital skills for wealth creation in Ughelli.
In 2025, it hosted a Youth Empowerment and Leadership Summit in Otor Jeremi and also trained community leaders on conflict resolution to promote grassroots peace.
Water Projects and Sports Development
In April 2019, during the 24th remembrance, a borehole was commissioned in Okparabe, Ughelli South. Another borehole was commissioned that same year at Ogbavweni Grammar School.
The foundation has also invested in youth sports. In 2025, a novelty football match between Otor-Ihwreko Community Team and Rovers Football Team ended 1-1, with cash gifts for players and a call on the LGA to upgrade the pitch. In April 2026, another novelty match was held with cash support for players, and a renewed appeal to government to support sportsmen and women.
Healthcare Access
Since 2018, the foundation has prioritized healthcare through medical outreaches, drug distribution and free consultation in Otor Ihwreko, Okparabe and Otor-Udu. It was the first to enroll over 500 residents into health intervention programs across U3 and has pushed medical insurance coverage for indigents and community leaders.
The impact earned Dr. Akpodiete recognition as Health Insurance Ambassador by Governor Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori in both 2024 and 2025.
Activities lined up for the 8th anniversary include more school outreach, free medical services and expanded programs across Delta
In 2025, the foundation sent a proposal to Delta State government to rename ministry of riverine infrastructure to Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy in order for policy alignment with the federal government and economic diversification beyond oil.
Dr. Akpodiete reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to partner with government, traditional rulers and communities to promote peace, learning and welfare in Delta.
Summary
The Olotu & Ekuogbe Rowland Akpodiete Foundation is marking 8 years of service in August 2026. Since 2018, it has impacted communities across Delta through education support, scholarships, school infrastructure and debate prizes; security education, community training and a proposal for a State Ministry of Security and Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy; humanitarian aid to prisons and orphanages; annual grants and welfare for women and widows; skills training in fish farming, digital tools and leadership; borehole projects in Okparabe and Ogbavweni; sports development through novelty matches; and major health outreaches that led to 500+ enrollments and two state recognitions for Dr. Akpodiete. The foundation says it will expand outreach during its August 2026 anniversary.
