Who is Mr. Jonathan Awazie?
Mr. Jonathan Awazie is a young Engineering professional and a philantropist. He hailed from Oparachi, Ihitte of Ezinihitte LGA in Imo State. He is currently working with the Nigerian National Energy Company. He is a simple man who sees life as an opportunity.
Please tell us about your background, your growing up and how it has shaped who you are now.
I am the first child of my parents Nze Sebastine Awazie and Lolo Justina Awazie, both alive. I have 3 siblings which include twins (girls).
My Dad is from a polygamous home of which his mum had nine children and my dad is the last. My grand father has 18 children from two wives and my dad was the overall last.
Just like every polygamous home with the competition amongst siblings. Because of the segregation, it left my dad serving his brother, trying to find his way to survive. My grand parents were farmers and were from an average family. Life was tough and my dad had a heavy share of it.
The situation made me to attain only primary school since there was no one to push him higher since his elder ones were also facing similar dilema.
He was fortunate to get a field work with IITA and that helped him to start his life.
Having the four of us was a dream come through for my parents but the struggles continued. I was birthed in Onne in Eleme LGA of Rivers State.
There I attained primary School (State School Onne) and Government Secondary School, Onne respectively.
My Dad's job ended while my brother and i were in Secondary school. He was paid off and unfortunately, the bank (Society General Bank) where he lodged his terminal benefit crashed and we returned to Zero.
The situation hits us so hard that we were thankful to the Government of Rivers State who subsidized school fees. My Dad and Mum struggled through. They hired lands plant to do farming just to feed us.
Because of how strict my dad was while growing up, I couldn't face him nor sought for anything from him directly. I grew up in fear and in pain. I was technically denied child hood fun, though dramatically, all my siblings enjoyed unlimited freedom with him. It remained a burden so confusing that I started asking about myself and my family.
One day, my dad summoned my brother and I and informed us that they will struggle at all cost to pay for our WAEC and after that we should be prepared to chose a craft to learn.
I took my NECO in 2000 and without waiting for my, result since I was aware that was the cross road, I escaped to see an uncle in Enugu with the hope of getting assistance that will enable me pay for JAMB and also support my tertiary education. Unfortunately, I didn't get the help I sorted but stayed with him for about two years.
In all I went through, I never lost focus on my touch with God as I saw Him as my solace and drew strength looking forward to what I will make out of life.
Life was cruel, difficult, painful, and tough on me to the extent that it was evident to every one around but I never blamed myself since I had no choice in being given birth to by my parants but Life have me determination.
I then gained admission through the help of my cousin who is a priest and support from one of my cousins in Enugu which became a dream come through. My parents could not believe hearing I have gain admission. The joy in their hearts overwhelmed the confusion of how will I cope. My admission became a celebration in my hometown and they hired vehicles to celebrate my matriculation at Nekede Polytechnic where I gained the admission to study Mechanical Engineering.
I diligently focused on my studies and remained formidable and then I was elected secretary of the student union in my department which earned me the name Sec Gen. I rounded up with my National Diploma and left for Akanu Ibiam Unwana Polytechnic where obtained my HND and thereafter my PGD at Unizik. Today I can look back and smile because my dream came through as I am a graduate of Engineering, the first in my home town and family. This has brought honor to my family and made my parents, siblings, well wishers so proud. I never gave up. I was determined.
My most impactful project and how it has impacted me
I must confess that all my projects undertaken under the NGO are unique in every perspective. Even though the NGO is still growing and have not gotten external collaboration yet, but I feel a sense of gratitude to God that i am able to give back to the society and to wipe tears faces.
Our NGO is involved in the following:
1. Prison support and we have succeded in the release of 8 immates from Benin City correctional center. The cries and joy of the released made me cry and value freedom. Our goal in this project is to release at least 5 inmates annually.
2. We are also involved in supporting the widows. I can freely tell you that we have supported over 40 widows both with cash and some other items. That alone has attracted so much blessings through their prayers. We look forward to at least help 10 widows annually with business grants.
3. We are equally involved in providing medical assistance to those in need and this have been very demanding. Some people we have supported in the past are mothers who gave birth through CS. Also, many youths are on different medical care and these are people we don't know. Thank God for His provision.
4. The project that enjoys the loudest attention is education. We organise quiz competition annually, give prizes and provide school materials to at least 400 pupils and feed over 600 pupils and spectators. This has earned the foundation much praise and appreciation. We support students with WAEC and JAMB fee at least 10 each respectively and atleast three tetiary students with fees. We have over 20 pupils in primary school scholarship, over 10 in secondary school scholarship and about 8 in tertiary scholarship, just to mention a few and, not including families and relatives.
In all, the respective projects have their individual impact.
These projects have helped me see life as a privilege and who I am as an opportunity to contribute to humanity and sharing a sense of love as Jesus Christ mandated. It has taught me humility and to treat everyone with love and respect. God Has really used us as instrument to touch lives and give hope.
How have you managed work, family and the NGO?
I must say, God gave me an understanding wife and my daughter who is 5 years old is gradually been carried along. God has help me through my work to raise funds for the NGO About 50% of my monthly salary goes into the NGO; we have had urgent help requests that denied my family and I our enjoyment but we keep trusting God who has never left us empty.
I also have a team of volunteers who joined me and they are given very little financial gift, not as payment but for their logistics and time. We have a whole lot we trust God to achieve and as I gain favour from God in terms of promotion and opportunities, I will extend these projccts to other areas. Life is about touching lives and putting smiles on the faces of people.
What advice would you give to younger ones?
Be examplary. Make people happy the best way you can and ensure that people leave you smiling and feeling better that they met you. It is not easy economically, but the fact remains that at what ever level you are in, you are better than soneone. We have to make the world a better place through love. Life doesn't ends here. When one allows God to lead him or her, the wheel of his life is controlled by God and that is the most important decision for me, making God my number one. Remember no can can claim to love God when you don't love humanity you can see irrespective of race, tribe , religion, skin colour.
