By Ebunoluwa Sessou

In a bid to continue giving back to society, the Committee of Friends for Humanity, COFFHA, has disclosed plans to formally install its 7th president, Barrister Augustina Igbokwe, who will steer the affairs of the organisation for another two years.

The event, which will also feature the launch of a N300 million fundraising project for capacity training, development and a skills acquisition centre, is expected to attract institutions, philanthropists, politicians, business leaders and other stakeholders.
Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, the Co-founder of COFFHA, Carolyn Akum Ufere, said the organisation was founded out of a desire to create meaningful impact in society through collective humanitarian service.
According to her, the idea was conceived in 1991 when she decided to bring together like-minded friends to support vulnerable individuals and families.

“I thought to myself, why don’t I gather some of my friends together to start something impactful that would touch lives directly? I called two of my friends and shared the vision with them, and they keyed into it immediately,” she said.

She explained that the association derived its name from the concept of friends coming together to render humanitarian services to society.

“We called it Committee of Friends for Humanity, COFFHA, because we are friends united by charity and humanity. Our mission is to reach out and impact individuals and families in poor communities, drawing strength from our diversities and resources,” she added.

Ufere disclosed that the organisation, which was formally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC, in 1993, has remained committed to humanitarian service for over three decades.

“Since our incorporation in 1993, we have not looked back. What amazes me most is the commitment of every member of COFFHA. Everyone contributes financially, mobilises family and friends and supports our humanitarian vision,” she said.

Highlighting some of the organisation’s interventions over the years, she said COFFHA built and equipped the emergency centre at Isolo General Hospital, rehabilitated the maternity ward at Apapa Health Centre and donated dialysis machines and wheelchairs to hospitals across Lagos State.

“At Isolo General Hospital, we built a fully equipped COFFHA Emergency Centre. At Apapa Health Centre, we rehabilitated a 16-bed maternity ward and donated a 20KVA generator to support healthcare delivery,” she stated.

She further recounted how the organisation had consistently supported indigent patients across various hospitals by settling medical bills for discharged patients unable to pay.
“We visit hospitals regularly and whenever we meet patients who have been discharged but detained because of unpaid bills, we intervene and clear their debts so they can reunite with their families,” she said.

Ufere also narrated how the organisation supported a teenage mother abandoned by her family after an unwanted pregnancy.
“We took her in, cared for her and her baby, paid for her education and WAEC examinations and eventually reunited her with her family after she successfully completed her studies,” she explained.

She said the organisation also sponsored the treatment of a six-year-old cancer patient at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, until his death, after which COFFHA settled all outstanding bills for the family.

According to her, COFFHA intensified its humanitarian interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic through donations of relief materials and palliatives to orphanages and destitute homes, including the Majidun Destitute Home in Ikorodu.

Ufere noted that the organisation had also carried out several medical outreaches in underserved communities, particularly at Okun Ajah, where COFFHA adopted the community and established regular health intervention programmes.

“We work with doctors, nurses, pharmaceutical companies and organisations like the Nigerian Ports Authority to provide medical outreach services. During some of these outreaches, we discovered cases of HIV, cancer and other illnesses unknown to beneficiaries, and we assisted them to access proper treatment,” she said.

On the proposed skills acquisition centre, she explained that the project was initiated to address unemployment, empower women and youths and promote entrepreneurship.

“We have already completed the foundation and pillars of the building. What we need now is support from the public, benefactors and partners to complete it. That is why we are raising N300 million during the investiture,” she added.

She also highlighted some of COFFHA’s empowerment programmes for widows and women in Lagos and Anambra States, noting that the organisation had previously partnered with former First Ladies and government officials to implement outreach programmes.

“We have empowered widows in Lagos and Anambra States and collaborated with notable individuals and institutions to support vulnerable women and families,” she said.
Ufere further disclosed that the organisation partnered with Google to train about 100 women on digital visibility and business promotion online.

“A lot of the women we trained are still reaching out to appreciate us for exposing them to digital opportunities and helping them place their businesses on Google Search,” she stated.

She said COFFHA also recently empowered 15 women and girls with financial support for their businesses.

Speaking on the organisation’s international recognition, Ufere said COFFHA is recognised by the United Nations as a non-governmental organisation and regularly participates in global discussions and engagements.

“We are proud of how far we have come. What started as a small idea among three women has grown into a strong and reputable organisation made up of accomplished and committed women,” she said.

She added that the forthcoming investiture ceremony would further project COFFHA’s activities globally and attract more partnerships for humanitarian development.

“We want to showcase ourselves to the world and let people know what we are doing. This investiture is not just ceremonial, it is about strengthening our humanitarian impact and expanding our visibility globally,” she said.

The Chairperson of the Investiture Committee and third President of Committee of Friends for Humanity, COFFHA, Christy Ray Okoye, reiterated that the event was not only a tradition within the organisation but also an avenue to raise funds for impactful community projects.

According to her, every COFFHA president serves a two-year tenure and may be re-elected for another term based on performance.

“The investiture is like a ritual in COFFHA. Every president serves for two years and if the person performs well, another two years is given. During the ceremony, the president formally undergoes the process of investiture and becomes the substantive president of COFFHA,” she said.

She noted that the organisation currently has an ongoing skill acquisition and capacity development centre already at foundation level, stressing that funds realised from the investiture would help accelerate its completion.

“We are targeting N300 million because we have an ongoing project, which is a skill acquisition centre. We have already started the foundation work and we believe that if we raise this amount, it will go a long way in helping us complete the project,” she added.

Okoye explained that although COFFHA is known for interventions in the health sector, the organisation’s activities extend beyond healthcare to include empowerment, scholarships, skills acquisition and capacity building.

“Health is just one of the sectors we touch. We do capacity training, empowerment and scholarship programmes. We have impacted over 10,000 people in different ways,” she stated.

Speaking on preparations for the investiture, she said the committee had put structures in place to ensure a successful event through delegation of responsibilities to various subcommittees.

“We have committees handling publicity, finance, protocol, entertainment, hall arrangements, cards and brochures. I believe in division of labour because that is the only way to maximise efficiency,” she said.

On the mandate of the incoming president, Okoye stressed that COFFHA’s core vision remains support for the less privileged, particularly women and children.

Highlighting COFFHA’s achievements, Okoye said the organisation had executed several projects in Lagos and beyond, including building an emergency centre at Isolo General Hospital and donating a dialysis machine to Gbagada General Hospital.

She also revealed that the organisation had carried out empowerment programmes in Anambra State and had continued to maintain visibility through collaborations with government institutions and stakeholders.

“For Lagos State to recognise us with an award means we are visible and our efforts are appreciated,” she noted.

She further disclosed that prominent dignitaries, including governors, lawmakers and traditional rulers, are expected at the investiture ceremony.

On succession and sustainability, Okoye said the organisation was already grooming younger members to take over leadership responsibilities in future.

Okoye also stressed the importance of collaboration among charitable organisations, especially during difficult economic times.
“There is no way you can do charity work alone. Collaboration is very important. We support other organisations and foundations because charity is charity, irrespective of where it is done,” she said.

Encouraging members to remain resilient despite challenges, she added: “When hard times come swinging, we in COFFHA know how to win by God’s grace.”

Meanwhile, the President-elect of COFFHA, Barr. Augustina Igbokwe, has pledged to expand the organisation’s humanitarian activities, attract more young people into charity work and strengthen support for vulnerable members of society.

Igbokwe, a lawyer and entrepreneur, described COFFHA as a platform driven by compassion, sacrifice and service to humanity.
According to her, joining COFFHA over two decades ago transformed her perception about humanitarian service.

She disclosed that the organisation, had continued to grow steadily, adding that membership had increased since she assumed office as president.
“When I joined, we were barely 18 women. Since I became president, we already have about five or six new members. People are joining because they see the acts of charity we carry out,” she stated.

She explained that her administration would focus on leading by example, maintaining transparency in charity work and using media visibility to attract more people to humanitarian service.

Speaking on youth inclusion, Igbokwe stressed that COFFHA was intentionally creating opportunities for younger generations to participate in humanitarian work.

She noted that membership was not strictly about wealth but about passion for humanity and willingness to support the less privileged.
“We need young people because they have energy, fresh ideas and technological knowledge. NGO work is not just about money; it is about ideas, innovation and compassion,” she said.

She disclosed that COFFHA currently has branches in several geopolitical zones including Abuja, Anambra and Delta State.

The president-elect recounted some of the organisation’s outreach programmes, including visits to orphanages and homes for mentally challenged persons, describing the experiences as life-changing.

“One of the things that stood out for me was when we visited a home in Ajegunle many years ago. We crossed water and walked on planks just to get there. Our members embraced mentally challenged people without discrimination. We danced and interacted with them lovingly. That is the spirit of COFFHA,” she said.

She also highlighted the organisation’s empowerment programmes targeted at women and small business owners, particularly traders in Lagos markets.

According to her, COFFHA recently supported several women with business registration through the Corporate Affairs Commission, financial literacy training and grants ranging from hundreds of thousands to over one million naira to upscale their businesses.

“We do not just give people money; we track their progress. Some of them now own stores, operate POS businesses and have expanded into bulk trading and fruit juice production,” she explained.

Igbokwe called on corporate organisations and wealthy individuals to go beyond ceremonial corporate social responsibility projects and intentionally support people in need.

“People should look inward and identify those who truly need help. What should drive us is compassion, not publicity,” she said.
On whether members of COFFHA receive financial rewards for their humanitarian efforts, she said members were motivated by faith and service to humanity.

“We are not paid financially, but God rewards good work. We are all blessed because we are doing what Christ commanded us to do, to love and care for one another,” she stated.
Meanwhile, the investiture ceremony is expected to attract prominent personalities from across the country.

Among dignitaries expected at the event are former governor Umaru Mohammed Bago as Guest of Honour; former Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba, as Guest of Honour; and Senator Uche Ekwunife, who will serve as keynote speaker.

Also expected are Senator Wasiu Sani Eshilokun as Father of the Day, and Princess Vicky Hastrup among others.
The event will also feature the installation of new patrons.