The Nikki Udezue Foundation (NUF) has provided free medical screening to over 1,000 residents of Pyakasa, a community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as part of the activities marking the foundation’s fourth anniversary.
At the outreach, the founder and president of the foundation, Nkeiruka Anthonia Udezue, said the initiative was aimed at offering quality healthcare to underserved communities to commemorate the milestone.
“Since inception, the foundation has focused on impacting the lives of women, children, the less privileged, and the vulnerable. To celebrate our 4th anniversary, we decided to empower residents of underserved areas with access to quality healthcare,” Udezue said.
She explained that access to healthcare remains a major challenge for many in rural communities and the foundation felt it necessary to bridge the gap.
“This is something most people in these areas cannot afford or access. So we brought quality doctors, enough medication, trained nurses, and healthcare professionals to check vitals and diagnose common illnesses. This is part of our commitment to deliver real impact.”
Udezue emphasised the importance of data collection during the outreach.
“As an NGO, we are able to escalate issues through proper record-keeping. The doctors here will also document the conditions they’ve observed, which helps in planning future interventions.”
She noted that although the foundation primarily focuses on women and children, its mission extends to all those in need.
“We are a youth- and women-led NGO, primarily focused on women, children, and the girl child. But when we encounter others in desperate need, we take action. It’s part of our broader commitment to building a more stable and compassionate society,” she said.
She expressed concern over the number of health cases seen during the outreach.
“We’ve seen a lot of severe malaria cases today, which isn’t surprising given the season. There are also cases of hypertension, diabetes, and high blood pressure. It shows just how difficult things are economically. Healthcare is not cheap—even in developed countries.”
Udezue called on more organisations to collaborate on similar initiatives in rural areas.
“These people are often overlooked by the government. Many are suffering in silence. This is where credible organisations must step in—those who understand true compassion for the underprivileged.”
She reaffirmed the foundation’s values of transparency and accountability.
“One of our core values is transparency. Everything done here today is visible to the world. Those who have supported us over the years can trust that we will never let them down. We are ambassadors of Nigeria, and what we do reflects on our nation.”
Despite financial constraints, she said the foundation has continued to thrive through personal sacrifices.
“Running a foundation is not a walk in the park—it takes a lot, especially in terms of funding. We are proud that we have sustained this foundation for four years using our own personal finances. That is, for us, the height of humanity.”
She also criticized the culture of blame and inaction among those with the means to help.
“Some people have the funds but refuse to look around them. Instead, they complain that ‘Nigeria is not this or that.’ We don’t want to be part of the blame game. There’s no shortcut—we must make it work.”
The outreach was widely attended by community members, thanks to the involvement of local leaders, religious institutions, and grassroots mobilisers.
“We went into the community and called on the people. Community heads, churches, and mosques helped spread the word. And the people came out in large numbers.”
Udezue concluded by expressing satisfaction with the success of the outreach.
“We are proud that people are leaving here with expensive, quality medication. That, to us, is a success story.”
