A prominent philanthropist, Engr. Elvis Osung has advocated for educational advancement through philanthropic interventions.
Osung disclosed this during the First Public Lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Tetfund Pavilion, Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa Campus in Oruk Anam LGA on Thursday.
He equally donated 10 million naira to boost the educational advancement of the University.
Speaking on the theme: “Philanthropic Foundations as Catalysts for Educational Advancement and Community Development”, he expressed delight over the rise of philanthropic donations aimed at addressing societal challenges.
”Current global trends reveal a significant rise in philanthropic donations, with Foundations playing an increasingly crucial role in addressing societal challenges.
”The rise of high-net-worth individuals, globalization and digital platforms have expanded the influence and scope of foundations worldwide.”
He said foundations are actively participating in transactional collaboration, aligning with the global framework such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
Osung who is the Chairman, Grace Efiong Osung Foundation, (GEOF), lamented the challenges in philanthropic intervention in the education and health sectors as well as community initiatives by the international and national foundations.
According to him, “These challenges are multifaceted, encompassing issues of accountability and transparency, alignment with local needs and priorities, sustainability of external funded projects and the delicate balance between dependency and empowerment”.
He urged philanthropists to ensure that philanthropic interventions align with local needs to guarantee relevance and effectiveness .
Osung called on members of the public to emulate GEOF which has been able to engage communities, leverage local expertise and foster partnerships that transcend organisational boundaries.
Speaking earlier, the Ag. Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Dr Monday Dickson commended the public lecturer for his ability to positively impact the society through his foundation.
He expressed optimism that the lecture would deepen understanding and inspire collective action towards philanthropic interventions.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Otoabasi Akpan, stated that the lecture has expanded the horizon of the public on the need to engage in philanthropic interventions.
He promised to sustain the public lecture series in the institution to ensure cross-fertilization of ideas.
