"Our Hearts Bleed for Anambra State"

-Oliver Anyabolu , Programme Director, Anambra State Family Association (ASFA), Oklahoma, United States of America (USA), an NGO dedicated to providing medical facilities to hospitals in Anambra State

By Chidiebere Onyemaizu

Oliver Anyabolu

What informed the emergence of the Anambra State Family Association (ASFA) in Oklahoma, USA?

While in Oklahoma State, in 1993 to be specific, a group of Anambra origins decided it was time they came together to form an organisation in order to know those of them residing there and also to promote our own welfare in Oklahoma State. We held several meetings and the association was eventually formed in 1993. As at today, we are about 20 that belong to ASFA and we are all of Anambra State origin. Our aim is to promote the welfare of Anambra people living in Oklahoma State as well as in Nigeria. Our interest is to cater for the welfare of our people back home in Nigeria.

What is the structure of the Association? Is it composed of just anybody of Anambra State origin residing in Oklahoma, or is it made up of only core professionals in different fields of human endeavour?

As far as we are concerned, once you are from Anambra State, you are automatically a member of ASFA. Your profession does not matter. The only condition for qualification is being an Anambra State indigene.

The Association is operating in far-away Oklahoma, USA, so do Anambra people back home in Nigeria benefit from ASFA's activities?

To be honest with you, last year under our leadership, Ben Ughamadu from Abagana, between September and November last year, was in Nigeria and he delivered medical supplies valued at $24,000 to the people of Anambra State. And these medical equipment were given to health centres in local governments of origin of each member of the Association. So the impact we have made is that we delivered these medical supplies to the Anambra State people through local governments, and there are evidences to show that the people actually received the items and they were happy. The people were very happy about what we did for them.

Is ASFA doing all these based on the people's request, or is it just strictly unsolicited humanitarian gesture?

As a matter of fact, there is nothing like that. Nobody begged us for it. They don't even know us but we believe it is something that should be done. It is natural; we want to help our people because we know that Anambra State is in bad shape and that conditions there are tough. We know that the people need help. I come home every year and therefore know what is happening in the country, especially Anambra State. Nothing is moving. The conditions there are just awful. People are languishing. So we decided we are going to help our people.

So how often does ASFA render this type of help?

You see, right now under our new leader, Johnny Ughanze from Ogbunike, we want to change direction. What we want to do now is to focus on hospitals in Anambra State. According to my own private study, I have been to several hospitals in Anambra State and I have found out that they do not have 24-hour running water. For example, Iyienu hospital. I went there, talked to the superintendent of the hospital and I witnessed that their water only runs for two hours a day. How can you imagine that in the 21st century, a hospital exists without 24-hour running water? So under the leadership of Ughanze, we are now seeking donations, both from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. We don't care where you come from, or where the donations come from. It can come from whitemen, from anybody so that we can assist these hospitals. Number one, we want to fence Iyienu hospital. We want to construct borehole that will give them 24-hour running water. When we are through with Iyienu hospital, we will then move to another hospital. That is our goal.

You have just spoken about raising money. That goes to indicate that ASFA members are not spending their personal resources entirely on these projects. So to what extent has ASFA gone in raising money and from what sources?

As matter of fact we don't raise money. You better believe it; we levy ourselves from time to time. Without us levying ourselves, we wouldn't have gotten such money. So we do levy ourselves. But at the same time we need help from organisations and individuals. That is the only way we can help our people.

Is ASFA only concerned about healthcare in Anambra State. What about other areas particularly education?

As a matter of fact, we want to focus on healthcare this time because we want to be known for one thing. My brother, there is nothing like a hospital without running water. A hospital is supposed to have 24 hours running water because of the various diseases which the hospitals treat. So because of that we want to specialise in providing medical assistance to the hospitals in terms of provision of such facilities as boreholes. I think if we can succeed in providing 24-hour running water to all the hospitals in Anambra State, I bet you, we would have achieved a lot.

So what you are saying is that for now ASFA's focus is healthcare in Anambra State?

Yes, because our people are dying like chickens. Look at water, our people do not drink good water. What they are drinking is contaminated water. If you study World Health Organisation (WHO) reports, you will discover that all kinds of diseases come from water. We pay close attention to hospitals because you imagine where somebody becomes a patient in a hospital and there is no water for the individual even to wash hands or drink. So that is why we are focusing on hospitals.

Oklahoma is just a state in the US, what efforts has your association made so far to get other Anambra indigenes resident in other states in US to emulate ASFA?

As a matter of fact we have what is called "Anambra National." It is based in California. They are those that seek donations from Anambra indigenes resident in other US States. We contribute money to "National" and they also use the money to buy medical equipment or other items for the people of Anambra State. So we are working together to ensure that things work fine for our people in Nigeria.

In the USA especially Oklahoma where you are based, has there been any attempt by the various Igbo groups there to come under one umbrella with the aim of contributing to the developmental efforts in Igboland?

Indeed, we have an umbrella Igbo organisation, but to be honest with you it is not working very well. I am not happy with the progress of the Igbo Association in Oklahoma. For sometime now there has not been progress. Anything we plan to do does not work. I am looking forward to changes. As a matter of fact we have not done well, frankly speaking. The Igbo association in Oklahoma is a failure. We have failed, there is no question about that. I want you to put that in writing so that those concerned will read it.

When did Anambra indigenes in Oklahoma come up with ASFA?

Anambra State Family association came up in 1993.

That was about 13 years ago. When then did the people of Anambra State start feeling your impact?

Remember associations are formed when a group of people come together. It is always a tug of war. They will never agree. It took long, long time. That is why I praise the leadership Ben Ughamadu because he was the one that initiated all these and also through my own contribution because when we visited Nigeria and then went back to Oklahoma I approached him, I said 'look our people are in dire need, they are suffering', and he listened to me. This is a man with a large heart. He said to me, 'look, I am going to do something. I am going to fight so that the association will do something.' So for three years, Ben Ughamadu fought single-handedly and the members finally agreed that we would send something to our people back home. Last year, under the leadership of Ughamadu, was the first time we contributed something and sent to our people.

So in essence, ASFA starting touching the lives of Anambra people last year?

Yes. We started making impact in 2005.

Is the current Anambra State government under Peter Obi and last one under Chris Ngige aware of ASFA's activities?

Yes, the Anambra State government is aware of what we are doing. When the former Governor, Ngige visited Oklahoma in 2005, we intimated him of our plans and he appreciated it and commended us.

You earlier said the medical equipment are being given to the beneficiaries directly, why did ASFA adopt this method instead of routing them through established government agencies like the state ministry of health?

Remember how the human nature is. We want the people to feel the impact and we also want to see them feel it. But remember the health centres have nothing. So by giving the equipment directly to them, we believe that the grassroots will benefit directly and make a serious impact.

What is your position in ASFA?

I am the Programme Director.

How are Anambra people, the beneficiaries of ASFA's activities reacting to this gesture?

Oh, it is unbelievable. They have written several letters to us acknowledging our efforts. They are happy. This is the first effort they have ever seen. We too are happy because we are going to do more for them.

What do you do in U.S?

I am an educator and author. I have written several books about Nigeria.

What advise do you have for Igbos resident in the US and other parts of the world?

I am a writer and I promote the welfare of our people. So I have always let my fellow Igbos know that the whiteman wants us to go home and develop our place. So that is why anywhere I am and anytime we talk, we talk about coming together to make sure that our people are well off, by promoting their social condition. Our people are seriously in dire need of so many things. Igboland and Igbos need so many things. We (Igbos) have nothing at all.