500 Youths, Women Trained to Save Lives as Foundation Launches Safety Campaign in Anambra Community

By Uzo Ugwunze

More than 500 youths, women and community leaders have gathered in Ojoto, Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State, for a five-day intensive training designed to equip residents with practical health, safety and lifesaving skills.

The programme, organised by the Ojoto Rising Star Charity Foundation, is being held at the Afor Bulu Eke Hall, Ojoto Girls Secondary School, from September 8 to 12, 2026, between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon daily.

The 2026 programme, themed “Health, Safety & Lifesaving Skills,” focuses on equipping ordinary members of the community with knowledge that could make a critical difference during emergencies.

Speaking on the initiative, the sponsor, Dr. Emeka Cyprian Uzoh, said the programme builds on the foundation’s previous community intervention, which focused on agriculture, employment, food security and climate action.

“Last year, we taught people how to grow food. This year, we are teaching people how to save lives,” Uzoh said.

He explained that many preventable deaths occur because people nearby do not know how to respond during the crucial first few minutes of an emergency.

“Many deaths in our communities happen not because help wasn’t available, but because no one around knew what to do in those first few minutes. This training puts lifesaving knowledge in the hands of ordinary people,” he said.

The training combines practical demonstrations, interactive sessions and age-appropriate learning materials. Participants are being trained in three key areas: responding to emergencies, preventing harm, and promoting healthy living and community responsibility.

Under emergency response, participants are introduced to basic lifesaving techniques, first aid and emergency awareness. The programme also addresses poisoning prevention, choking prevention, and safety in homes and communities.

Beyond emergency response, participants are being encouraged to adopt better personal hygiene and healthy-living practices while developing a stronger sense of compassion and responsibility toward others.

Uzoh said the foundation’s objective extends beyond the completion of the training or the presentation of certificates.

“The Foundation’s goal goes beyond certificates. We want to build a culture where people are safety-conscious, prepared to help, and compassionate toward one another,” he said.

He added: “Protecting life begins with knowledge, preparedness, responsibility, and intentional compassion. Knowledge saves lives. Safety protects communities. Compassion connects us.”

The foundation’s message for the 2026 programme is simple: “Learn to Save a Life. Learn to Protect Yourself. Learn to Care for Others.”

Community leaders who attended the opening session commended Uzoh and the Ojoto Rising Star Charity Foundation for investing in human capacity and community resilience.

Beneficiaries also described the training as practical, timely and potentially life-changing, particularly because the skills can be applied in homes, schools, workplaces and other community settings.

Following the success of the initiative, the Ojoto Rising Star Charity Foundation said it plans to replicate the model in other communities across Anambra State in 2027.

The initiative underscores a growing emphasis on community-based preparedness, where basic knowledge of first aid, emergency response and prevention can help residents become the first line of support before professional medical assistance arrives.

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