TEAM MEMBERS AND LEADERSHIP
Ivo Foundation was established by a team of catholic priests led by Rev. Fr. Joseph B. I Onyia (Esq). Others involved include Fr. Dr Luke Ibeh, Fr Paulinus Onyii Anaedu (PhD), Fr Izunna Okonkwo (PhD) and Fr Malachy Elo Nwosu (M.A). The intent of the Founder was to bring evangelization mission to the indigents/less privileged youth and widows through economic empowerment and/or poverty alleviation, provision of legal representation to indigent inmates who are needlessly or unlawfully being incarcerated and the education of the less privileged youths in sub-Sahara Africa. Ivo Foundation is registered in the United States of America and recognised as a Tax Exempt 501(C) Not-for-profit Organization. It is also registered under the Nigerian Law as an Incorporated Trustee (Non-Profit Organisation). Other Board members apart from the original founders include Fr Justin Ileka Esq, Mr. Larry C. Fejokwu and Mrs Uju Osude.
Board of Directors
The Board of Directors at St. Ivo Foundation Inc. comprises a diverse group of dedicated individuals who bring a wealth of experience, passion, and commitment to our mission. Guided by shared values and a deep sense of responsibility, our board members work tirelessly to steer the foundation towards achieving its goals.
Each member contributes unique expertise and perspectives, ensuring that every decision made aligns with our vision of empowering the underprivileged, promoting access to justice, and fostering sustainable development. Together, they embody the spirit of service and compassion that defines our foundation.
Rev Fr Joe Ben Onyia Esq
Founder and President
Fr Joseph B.I Onyia (Fr Joe Ben) is a Catholic priest ordained for the Archdiocese of Onitsha. He was trained as a lawyer; a UNILAG and Forham, NY alumnus. He is admitted to practice law in both Nigeria and New York. He worked with the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, New York, Schwartz Law Firm LLC and as a hospital chaplain Archdiocese of New York. He is currently the pastor of Divine Mercy Catholic Church, Ikorodu, Lagos, Nigeria, Head of the legal department Archdiocese of Lagos/St Raphael Divine Mercy Specialist hospital, Ikorodu and Dean of Ijede Deanery in the Archdiocese of Lagos.
Rev Fr Izunna Okonkwo (PhD)
Member
Izunna Okonkwo, a priest of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, Nigeria is a promoter of social justice. He holds a bachelor’s degree in both philosophy and theology from Pontifical Urban University, Rome; a Master’s degree in Religious Studies, Master of Advanced Studies degree in Theology and Religion; and Licentiate in Sacred Theology (S.T.L) from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KUL), Belgium. He obtained his doctoral degree (PhD) in theology (S.T.D) from the same university. He researches on the transformative nature of religions, especially Christianity and African Traditional Religion. Some of his research findings have been presented as papers at international conferences and published articles in international journals. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer (CE)) of St Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital, Onitsha, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Rev Fr Dr Luke Ibeh
Secretary/Treasurer
Fr. Luke Ibeh is a Catholic priest of Nnewi Diocese. He holds bachelor’s degrees in both Philosophy and Theology from Urban University Rome. He also obtained B.A. in Philosophy from University of Uyo, Nigeria. He obtained diploma in Acculturation from St. Johns University New York. He holds a master’s degree in theology and a Doctorate degree in Counselling and Mental Health. He has worked as a parish priest for ten years in Nigeria in various parishes. Currently, he works as a hospital chaplain in the Archdiocese of New York.
Rev Fr Malachy Elo Nwosu
Member
Fr Eloo Nwosu is a native of Catholic Diocese of Awka, Nigeria. A Pioneer priest of Seat of Wisdom Major Seminary, Owerri Imo State Nigeria. He also holds a Masters Degree in Catholic Education and Leadership from University of Rochester, New York. He calls himself an Educationist. He has worked in several parishes in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rochester USA. Currently his Pastoral Ministry is at Saint Christopher Parish, North Chili, New York.
Mrs Uju Osude
Member
Mrs Osude is an accountant with a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Enugu State University of Science and Technology and a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc), Accountancy from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. She is highly active in both religious and societal activities. She is a practising accountant and currently runs her own businesses in both Lagos and Anambra.
Rev Fr Paulinus Onyii Anaedu (PhD)
Member
Fr Onyii Anaedu is a Catholic priest, ordained for the Catholic diocese of Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Philosophy and Theology from the Urban University, Rome, a Diploma in Intercultural Competence (Dipl. ICC), a Masters in Intercultural Studies (MIS) and a Doctorate in Biblical Theology (PhD), all from the University of Salzburg, Austria. Fr Anaedu has been working mostly outside his diocese since his ordination. He worked as a missionary in the Archdiocese of Lagos, Nigeria, for six years, serving as a Pastor in two parishes: Our Lady of Fatima, Aguda, and Regina Mundi, Mushin. Fr. Anaedu pursued further studies in Theology at the University of Salzburg, Austria where he graduated with a Doctorate in Biblical Studies (Intercultural Theology). Since then, he has been working as a Pastor in the diocese of Linz in Upper Austria.
OTHERS:
- Rev Fr Justin Ileka - Member
- Mr. Lawrence Fejuokwu - Member
Mr Fejokwu is a USA trained Mass Communication/Entrepreneurship Innovator and organisational communication development consultant. He has over 40years international experience as a Journalist, Corporate and Political Communication Consultant, Researcher, Lecturer and Mentor. He has a M. CAM London, MA from Fairfield University of Connecticut, Doctoral Research Fellow at Ohio University, Athens, USA. He was also a government Scholar, Military Public Relations Officer and a Captain in the Nigerian Army.