Professor Felix Ugwuozor on Monday, 22 December 2025, marked his birthday with a Christmas celebration organized under the auspices of the OneHopeChildren Foundation. The event, which combined festivity with philanthropy, took place at Ideal Child Foundation School, Ugwuaji, Enugu.
Before the formal commencement of the programme, the celebrant, Rev. Fr. Felix Ugwuozor, the President of the OneHopeChildren Foundation—was seen distributing free Christmas hats and headscarves to children and attendees, a gesture that set the tone for the day. Many participants described him as a man of large heart and deep commitment to humanity.
Fr. Ugwuozor is a priest of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu and an accomplished academic. He holds Master’s and PhD degrees in Philosophy of Education and Pedagogy from Montclair State University, New Jersey, USA, where he also served as a faculty member for ten years. He has been an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, Fairleigh Dickinson University, and New Jersey Jesuit University, all in the state of New Jersey, United States. He is currently the Pro-Chancellor of Peaceland University Enugu, and a full faculty member of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where he teaches Philosophy of Education, Logic and Teaching, Contemporary Philosophies of Education, and Philosophy of Mind.
The programme opened with an opening prayer led by Prof. Leo Ilechukwu, Vice-Chancellor of Peaceland University, Enugu.
Beneficiary schools of the OneHopeChildren Foundation—Fillips International School, Ugwuaji; Seat of Wisdom School, Ugwuaji; and Ideal Child Foundation School, Ugwuaji—were well represented at the event. The schools took turns to present Christmas carols and songs, adding colour and cheer to the celebration.
Midway into the programme, two alumni of the OneHopeChildren Foundation, Chidera Lydia Aniugwu and Kosi Amalu who travelled all the way from Warri and Abuja respectively addressed the children. In her talk titled “Journey of Hope,” Kosi Amalu, a graduate of Medical Radiography under OneHopeChildren Foundation scholarship encouraged the students to make deliberate life choices, noting that “there are people who started well but ended badly, and others who began badly but ended well.” She emphasized that hope sustains people through difficult times, adding that “hope is not the absence of challenges, but the determination to move forward despite opposition or setbacks.”
Chidera Lydia, currently a postgraduate student, still under the foundation’s scholarship spoke on “Skill Discovery and How It Can Transform a Life,” urging students and parents to identify and develop skills alongside formal education.
The event also featured the presentation of prizes to winners of the Essay and Poetry Competitions.
Essay Writing:
1st – Benjamin Chukwuebuka
2nd – Ogolobuozor Emmanuel
3rd – Eke Chinaezekpere
Poetry:
1st – Ugwu Favour
2nd – Blessing Chukwuemeka
3rd – Chikadibia Bright
In the Music Competition, Fillips International School emerged first, Ideal Child Foundation School took second position, while Seat of Wisdom School placed third. These schools and students received monetary gifts.
A special highlight was the presentation by the OneHopeChildren Foundation Rugby Team. Mr. Damian Mba, one of the coaches introduced the rugby section and presented Barr. Bertrand Ngwu, the Team Manager. He explained that the rugby academy, though only six months old, has made remarkable progress with support from foreign partners in New Jersey. The team, drawn from six Catholic schools in Enugu, recently participated in the South-East Zonal Competition and qualified for the next round. The coach, Mr. Nuhu Ibrahim from Kano, is a national player representing Nigeria.
Awards were presented to outstanding players in various categories, including: Best Breakthrough player—Eze Chigozie Francisco; Best playmaker—Chidozie Joel Ifechukwu; Best Defender—Ifebuzo Chijioke Sullivan; Best Tackler—Chrystantus ArinzeChukwu; Top scorer—Arinze Michael; Best workmate—Ajibola Olumide; Best Ball Carrier—Aniekwe Ikechukwu Stanley; Best size stepper—Ifeanacho Chibueze; Best Scrum player—Ezechukwu Obieze; Udenwagu Chidubem John— Most Valuable Player (MVP).
In appreciation of the Foundation’s generosity, the three beneficiary schools presented gifts to the OneHopeChildren Foundation, while parents of beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the scholarships awarded to their children.
Rev. Fr. Prof. Ugwuozor also introduced other beneficiaries of the Foundation, including Okoh PraiseGod, who joined the programme in Primary Two and is now a second-year medical student at Enugu State Science and Technology (ESUT), Stephanie Sylvia Okolie, who began in JSS1 and is currently in her third year studying Radiography at UNN, Maureen Eke who was given scholarships from primary school and now studying Medical Laboratory Science at ESUT. He expressed his deep appreciation to Msgr. Ron Rosniak, and parishioners of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Ridgewood New Jersey for believing in OneHopeChildren Foundation mission, and for standing with the foundation as partners in transforming lives. He also thanked the board of trustees and OneHopeChildren core advocate teams, supporters, and friends of foundation from Saint Elizabeth in Wyckoff, and other parts of New Jersey, New York and across United States. Fr. Felix appealed for continued prayers for these friends of OneHopeChildren foundation and for the growth and sustainability of the Foundation.
Several priests were in attendance, including Fr. Prof. Leo Ilechukwu, the Vice Chancellor of Peaceland University Enugu; Fr. Marcelinus Eze, Fr. JohnBosco Oluka, Fr. Anthony Aneke, Fr. Christian Iroha, Fr. Cornelius Ozochikelu, Fr. Vincent Iwuchukwu, and Fr. Victor Ede.
As part of the celebration, Fr. Ugwuozor distributed inspirational cards to the pupils and students. He noted that for the past three years, a couple, John and Becky Jordan have consistently given a post card with messages of encouragement and love to all the 218 scholarship students. The cards were presented to the students by the priests present.
Fr. Cornelius Ozochikelu expressed gratitude to the donors, while Fr. Christian Iroha announced an all-expense-paid secondary school scholarship for one student of the
OneHopeFoundation.
Towards the close of the event, Fr Ugwuozor announced the renewal of the Foundation’s scholarship award for the 2026/2027 academic session, citing significant improvements recorded among beneficiaries in the past year.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Fr. Chijioke Ede, while the closing prayer was said by Fr. Anthony Aneke, Enugu Diocesan Director of Social Communications.
The celebration ended on a note of gratitude, hope, and renewed commitment to uplifting children through education and holistic development.
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