The Diocese of Asaba, Anglican Communion has launched the Diocese of Asaba Agape Foundation (DAAF), a dedicated Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) aimed at addressing poverty, displacement, food insecurity, and healthcare gaps through coordinated, faith-driven interventions.
The unveiling, held at the Knight House Bishopcourt in Asaba, on Sunday June 22, 2025, was more than a ceremonial event, it was a strategic turning point for a Church taking deliberate steps to shift from sporadic charity to sustainable impact.
Stakeholders hailed the foundation as “a mustard seed initiative” poised to grow into a powerful force for social transformation.
Leading the charge was Lady Patience Ogbewe, Chairperson of the Foundation Committee, who declared with unwavering optimism.
“This is the first bold step. What began as a vision of our Bishop on March 7, 2025, is now a structured platform. Until now, our humanitarian efforts, ranging from elderly care to orphanage support and medical outreaches, have been disjointed.
“With DAAF, we now have a single, accountable body to deliver these services with precision and scale.”
The initiative drew commendation from the Delta State Government. Representing Deputy Governor Sir Monday Onyeme, Special Assistant on Non-Indigene Affairs, Lion Sir Chukwu Anthony, praised the Diocese for stepping into the gap where government reach remains limited.
“Many foundations collapse from poor vision and weak leadership. This, however, has all the markings of durability and impact.
“The Church has long been a partner in welfare distribution, and this move consolidates that role into a formal system that can reach the unreached,” he noted.
The Diocese’s forward-thinking plan received further validation from Hon. Ezenyili Kelvin Obi, Chairman of Oshimili South Local Government, who was represented by Vice Chairman Hon. Mrs. Ify Ogbogu.
“What is being launched today is not just another NGO. It is a visionary platform, an engine for community renewal.
“The Diocese is showing others how to institutionalize compassion and create long-term solutions.”
In a thought-provoking presentation, Rev. Canon O.J. Akpodiete described the Foundation as a living embodiment of Agape, Christian love translated into concrete action.
“This is Christianity applied,” he said. “With millions of Nigerians displaced by economic hardship and insecurity, DAAF exists to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the most vulnerable. It is a mission to provide shelter, sustenance, and skills—not just sermons.”
In his keynote address, Rt. Rev’d Kingsley C. Obuh, Bishop of the Diocese and convener of the Foundation, presented a bold and forward-looking two-year strategic plan aimed at transforming the lives of over 10,000 individuals in 30 communities.
He outlined key intervention areas that the Foundation will focus on, including: Scholarships for 200 underprivileged students, Vocational training for 1,000 youths and adults, Healthcare services for 200 elderly individuals and ₦20 million in microloans to support small-scale businesses
The Bishop also announced the introduction of a digital social register, a data-driven system designed to enhance transparency, track impact, and prevent duplication of aid.
“This Foundation is not about charity for its own sake, it is about justice, dignity, and sustainable development,” Bishop Obuh emphasized.
“We invite the government, private sector, and development partners to join hands with us. DAAF is our collective call to serve, to uplift, and to build lasting legacies.”
The event concluded with the symbolic unveiling of the Foundation’s plaque by Bishop Obuh, formally activating the Diocese’s humanitarian engine. Clergy, public officials, private donors, and grassroots community members gathered to witness the historic moment.
With the launch of the Diocese of Asaba Agape Foundation, the Church has made it clear that it is not only a custodian of faith but also a proactive player in social transformation, proving that compassion, when structured and intentional, can be one of the strongest forces for change.
