In the serene town of Enugu on Monday 5th of November 2024, where history, faith and compassion met, an event unfolded that resonated deeply within the hearts of many.
The CIDJAP Vocational Training and Technical Center (VTTC) Oluakadimma coal camp, Enugu gathered members, well-wishers, and beneficiaries to immortalize a remarkable man, Engineer Chief Hugo Oelz, whose selflessness and dedication have left an indelible mark on countless lives. It was not merely a ceremony but a celebration of the enduring spirit of a visionary whose generosity and commitment transformed dreams into realities.
Engineer Chief Hugo Oelz, an Austrian benefactor born on 7th August, 1938 and passed away on 9th April, 2024 aged 86 years old, with the benefaction of the Fidesco, Missio and Misereor had an unyielding faith in the power of vocational and technical education, extended his helping hand to the CIDJAP VTTC Oluakadimma for decades. Recognizing the pressing need for technical education among the Nigerian youth, he invested wholeheartedly in the growth and development of the center.
His contributions brought state-of-the-art equipment, expanded facilities, and a renewed sense of purpose to the institution, breathing life into a community longing for empowerment and skill acquisition. The center now stands as a testament to his belief that sustainable change can only be achieved when individuals are equipped with the tools to shape their own futures.
The event was solemn yet celebratory, a moment when the echoes of gratitude filled the air. The management of CIDJAP and the staff of the VTTC paid tribute to Engineer Chief Hugo Oelz through speeches, prayers, and symbolic gestures of remembrance. A specially commissioned Portrait bearing his name was unveiled, reminding every visitor of the enduring legacy he has created. His FIDESCO family, friends, and community members gathered around, sharing stories of his kindness, his humility, and his unwavering belief in the potential of young Nigerians.
For the students of VTTC Oluakadimma, this was not just an opportunity to honor a benefactor; it was a day to reflect on the doors that his generosity had opened. Young men and women from diverse backgrounds, many of whom had once faced bleak futures, were now thriving in fields such as electrical installation, automobile and welding.
In their words and gestures, they expressed profound appreciation, knowing that without Chief Engineer Hugo Oelz's contributions, their lives might have taken vastly different paths. His legacy lives on in each of them, in every skilled craft, in every breakthrough and in every success story that emerges from the center.
Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike, Founding Director of CIDJAP, delivered a stirring tribute, emphasizing that Engineer Chief Hugo Oelz's impact extended far beyond material donations. "Chief Oelz believed in building capacity," he remarked. "His gifts were not just physical structures; they were seeds planted in the hearts of young people, seeds that would grow into trees bearing fruit for generations to come." Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike's words revealed the essence of Chief Oelz's vision: a vision for a community where hope and opportunity flourish.
As the day drew to a close, the sun cast its warm rays over the Portrait, illuminating the words engraved in Engr. Chief Hugo Oelz's honor. It was a reminder that though he may no longer walk among us, his spirit, his kindness and his commitment to humanity will live on forever in the lives he touched. The legacy of Engineer Chief Hugo Oelz stands as an inspiration, urging us to embrace the power of giving, to foster change, and to create a world where everyone is empowered to reach their fullest potential.
