The Catholic Diocese of Ogoja has lauded Mr. Emmanuel Unimna Adie, Founder of POMA Adie Foundation and a native of Obudu Local Government Area, for his donation of N100 million (One Hundred Million Naira) for the upgrade of the Sacred Heart Hospital, Obudu.
The significant financial gesture funded the overall renovation and construction of a brand-new consulting hall and medical offices, alongside the purchase of fitting equipment for the hospital at the Scared Heart Hospital. The project has since been completed and commissioned by the Diocesan Bishop.
Mr. Adie who initiated the intervention sometime in May 2024, approaching the Church through his relative, Reverend Father Professor Julius Ada, and requested the Diocese to identify a critical area of need that would directly benefit the disadvantaged. After a thorough needs assessment, the Sacred Heart Hospital was selected for the intervention.
In an appreciation letter addressed to the donor, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, the Most Reverend Donatus Edet Akpan, thanked Mr. Adie for his exceptional generosity.
“I write on behalf of the Priests, Religious and lay Faithful of the Catholic Diocese of Ogoja, to express our sincerest gratitude and appreciation for your donation of 100 Million Naira towards the construction and furnishing of a new health facility at Sacred Heart Hospital, Obudu,” Bishop Akpan wrote.
He added that the donation would “go a long way in helping us to reach our goal and reduce the financial burden on the diocese,” acknowledging the remarkable impact Mr. Adie has made.
Reverend Father Professor Julius Ada, a Priest of the Diocese of Ogoja and a cousin to the donor, commended the benevolence, noting that the donation will significantly aid medical activity across the Diocese and the broader region.
Professor Ada, a lecturer of the Department of Business Management at the University of Calabar, explained that his recommendation to focus the intervention on the health sector was inspired by his previous experience as the Executive Secretary of the Ogoja Diocesan Medical Board, where he oversaw hospitals in Obudu, Ogoja and Ikom. This past role, which included serving as Secretary to the late Archbishop J. E. Ukpo from 1997 to 2022, fueled his zeal for improving health services in the area.
Reverend Fr. Ada commended the diligent and meticulous guidance of the Bishop and Hospital Proprietor, Most Rev. Donatus Akpan; the thorough execution by the Hospital Administrator Rev. Fr. Benard Anake; and the efforts of the Executive Secretary of the Diocesan Medical Board, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joe Marcus Ogan.
