Business mogul, Mbisiogu reveals why he built, equipped Hospital for his community
Leading Imo State-born international business mogul, Mr. Festus Mbisiogu has given chilling insights to why he singlehandedly built and donated a standard community hospital for his community, Umuchima in Ideato South Council of Imo State.
In a telephone interview Thursday, he told Business Hilights that during his childhood, his immediate younger brother died on his mother’s arms while searching for a hospital in neighbouring communities.
In his words, “The main incident that motivated me to embark on the hospital project for my community was my childhood experience when I saw my immediate younger brother dead on my mother’s arms because there was no hospital in the community where she can get medical attention 40 years ago”.
“My younger brother died on the way where my mother was searching for a medical centre in neighbouring communities. Before she could take her son to Urualla where there was an existing health centre, the child passed on.
“It’s a heart touching experience and I don’t want any member of my community to suffer such agonizing fate any longer.
Continuing, Mbisiogu explained that “I built and donated it to my community because up till now, that is 40 years after, Umuchima, my community does not have a hospital or any form of public or private health facility”.
“My main target is to provide a well furnished health facility so that no other body will die like my younger brother and am satisfied to have done exactly that.
The Group Chairman of Blue Diamond Logistics Limited averred that “During the commissioning, I pledged that the first three child deliveries in the hospital will be given a cash prize of N100,000”.
“Last Monday, the first birth was recorded and as am talking to you now on phone, a woman is on labour (Thursday afternoon), that means the second N100,000 will be sent shortly. All these are part of my community philanthropy to make life better for others.
“Apart from the hospital, am currently providing boreholes in all the communities in my Ideato South Local Government Area of Imo State. We have delivered many and about seven communities are coming on board,” Mbisiogu disclosed.
During the commissioning recently, the Federal Government and the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, commended the philanthropist for his live touching philanthropies in his community and beyond.
In her remarks, special guest of honour and Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Aisha Junnai Al- Hassan, praised Mbisiogu for his kind gesture in building and donating the hospital which was an indication of his love for his community, especially women and children who would be the major beneficiaries of the project.
She said the project was in line with President Mohammadu Buhari’s vision and programme on health care and that the Federal Government was willing to partner with individuals and corporate entities who are exploiting the policies of the federal government on health care and other sectors to for the betterment of their communities.
She enjoined wealthy Nigerians to emulate Mbisiogu and reach out to their various communities in areas that would be beneficial to the generality of the people.
Speaking also, Governor Rochas Okorocha who was represented at the occasion by the Commissioner for Health, Women Affairs and Social Development, Barrister Ngozi Njoku, praised Mbisiogu for his foresight in building and donating the hospital without any financial help from the state or federal government.
Okorocha noted that health was key to the existence and well-being of the society, saying the modern health centre would ease the problem of the primary health care in the community as well as reduce maternal mortality rate.
In his goodwill message, the donor, Mbisiogu thanked God, the community and particularly the Umuchima Women Organization (UWO) for their support in contributing to the actualization of his dreams.
Commenting on the gesture, President-General of UWO, Dr. (Mrs) B.N. Ubbaonu described the health centre as a timely, worthy and miraculous gift from God through Mbisiougu.
She described the Blue Diamond boss as a worthy son of Ideato South and called on other sons and daughters of the community to emulate his philanthropy.
The ceremony drew many dignitaries from far and wide who praised the project single-handedly delivered by Mbisiogu without any form of financial assistance either from the state or local government or other sources.
