The Chris Oyakhilome Foundation International (COFI) announced plans on Wednesday to roll out humanitarian and development programmes in South Sudan, including youth empowerment initiatives, medical outreach services and support for refugees and vulnerable groups.
COFI is a faith-based non-governmental organisation founded by Pastor Chris Oyakhilome to support vulnerable communities globally. The organisation operates in several countries, focusing on education, healthcare and humanitarian assistance aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged people.
Speaking at a press conference in Juba, foundation officials said they selected South Sudan because of its potential as the world’s youngest nation and the need to assist communities affected by years of conflict and economic hardship.
Pastor Arinze Emmanuel, a representative of the foundation, said the organisation aimed to restore hope and improve livelihoods through humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education and community development.
“We are here because of the passion of our president, Reverend Dr. Chris Oyakhilome, for African nations and African people,” he said. “South Sudan is the youngest nation in the world, and we believe this is the right time for intervention.”
He said the organisation planned a major relief operation at the Gorom refugee camp near Juba, including the distribution of food and other relief supplies, as well as medical services for displaced families.
Foundation officials said COFI also planned to launch a youth empowerment programme targeting about 1,000 South Sudanese youths in its first phase, offering skills training, business support and mentorship opportunities.
“We want to empower young people to become productive and self-reliant,” Pastor Sam said. “This is not a hit-and-run intervention. We have come to stay and work with the government and communities.”
The group also announced plans to support the School for the Blind in Juba and provide assistance to faith leaders facing financial difficulties.
COFI representatives said they had engaged with several government institutions, including the Office of the First Lady, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the Ministry of Trade and Commerce, as part of efforts to coordinate activities in the country.
Regional Pastor Louis Osadere, who oversees several East African countries, said he was encouraged by South Sudan’s progress and expressed optimism about the country’s future.
“When I first came to South Sudan years ago, what I saw then is not what I see today,” he said. “The country is developing rapidly, and we believe the time will come when there will be no more conflict, only development.”
He added that the foundation hoped to establish free “Inner City Schools” in South Sudan, similar to projects already operating in Uganda, Malawi, Liberia, Nigeria and India.
The schools provide tuition-free education, meals, uniforms and learning materials for vulnerable children.
Dr. Amaka Adekoya, representing the organisation’s medical missions, said COFI’s healthcare agencies were planning interventions in South Sudan, including emergency response training, free medical services and eye-care surgeries.
She said the organisation operates six free community clinics in underserved communities across Africa and conducts outreach programmes through its Volunteer Medical Corps.
“We have carried out more than 22,000 free eye surgeries through our Vision 10,000 initiative,” she said. “We are looking forward to bringing such interventions to South Sudan.”
She added that the group also provides prosthetic limbs for people living with disabilities and trauma-care training for first responders.
Pastor Daniel Kusemekwera, the foundation’s host pastor in South Sudan, said the programmes were timely given the country’s large youth population.
“More than half of South Sudan’s population are young people,” he said. “Through these programmes, we believe the livelihoods of many people can be transformed.”
The event also featured remarks from Ambassador Rose Charles, a South Sudanese recipient of the Future Africa Leaders Award under COFI, who said she had already supported thousands of young people through leadership and information technology training initiatives.
“South Sudan has the most talented youth, but many need someone to believe in them and tell them they can succeed,” she said.
COFI officials said the initial interventions would focus on Juba and Central Equatoria State before gradually expanding to other parts of the country.
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