Modupe Ozolua (born on the 10th of October 1973, in Benin City, Nigeria) is a Lebanese-Nigerian-American philanthropist and entrepreneur. She was the CEO of Body Enhancement Ltd and is the founding president of Empower 54 Project Initiatives (Empower 54) formerly known as Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery (BEARS) Foundation. [1][2]
Princess Ozolua is the youngest of four children born to Prince Julius I. Ozolua, an educationist, and Princess Olua Mary S. Ozolua (née Otaru), an entrepreneur from Ososo, Akoko-Edo LGA, Edo State. [1] Her name "Modupe" means "I give thanks" in Yoruba. [3]
She holds the traditional title『The Oyimizé of Ososo Kingdom』meaning "The One We Choose" from her mother's tribe.
Ozolua studied business management in Southwestern College, graduated with honors, was inducted into the Alpha Pi Epsilon, chapter of Phi Theta Kappa and recognized as an outstanding student by the Southwestern Dean's Honorary List and the National Dean's List (1994 - 1995). [4] Princess Modupe Ozolua further studied at DeVry University where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Technical Business Management and graduated with Magna Cum Laude honors.
Ozolua returned to Nigeria in 2001 and started Body Enhancement Ltd,[6] a cosmetic surgery company and aesthetic laser treatments in Nigeria.[7] The company became a pioneer in its sector, despite operating in a conservative country.[citation needed] Through the company, Ozolua educated the public about the safety of plastic surgery, breaking prevalent myths of the time.[citation needed]
In 2003, she founded Empower 54, formerly known as Body Enhancement Foundation, or Body Enhancement Annual Reconstructive Surgery (BEARS),[4] an international humanitarian organization dedicated to providing humanitarian assistance such as medical missions, hunger eradication, education, female empowerment, and refugee programs to underprivileged Africans. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was a patron of Empower 54 since the creation of the organization in 2003.[citation needed]
All humanitarian aid rendered through Empower 54 is free to the beneficiaries. Empower 54's "Rise Above Terror" initiative has been active in rehabilitating women and children survivors of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria, through self-employment and education for the children at the IDP camps. Ozolua leads Empower 54 to enter communities attacked by Boko Haram in remote parts of North-East Nigeria and help survivors of insurgency attacks.[citation needed]
During one of the foundation's missions, she discovered the extremely malnourished children rescued from Boko Haram's captivity and facilitated the collaboration between Empower 54 and the Borno State Government in evacuating them to Maiduguri for urgent CMAM treatment. 1,500 children were evacuated from Bama, along with their families.[8]
Princess Ozolua writes articles focused on politics, charity and lifestyle which are published in Nigerian national newspapers and magazines.
The United States of America President's Lifetime Achievement Award for Philanthropy. The award certificate was personally signed by President Joe Biden (2023)
The Office of the President of the United States of America Letter of Commendation for Philanthropy. The letter was personally signed by President Joe Biden and came with a pin (2023)
"Princess Modupe Ozolua's Day" Official Proclamation from the City of Houston, Texas USA (2019). In recognition of Princess Ozolua’s contributions to humanitarian, Mayor Turner issued an official Proclamation declaring Ozolua's birthday October 10th 2019 (10/10/2019) the Princess Modupé Ozolua’s day in Houston, Texas, USA.
City of Atlanta, Georgia (USA) Official Proclamation for service to humanity was issued to Ozolua and Empower 54 by the City Council of the City of Atlanta, Georgia, USA in 2006
Letter of Commendation by the City of Houston, Texas. In 2019, Mayor Sylvester Turner issued a letter commending Princess Ozolua’s humanitarian activities.
Letter of Commendation by Governor Nathan Deal of the State of Georgia (USA) was issued recognizing Princess Ozolua’s contribution to humanity in 2016
“One Of 50 African Women Who Shape The African Continent” recognition of Princess Ozolua’s impact across Africa was made by Elle Magazine (South Africa) in 2016. The Elle Magazine campaign was titled “The Incredibles” #TheIncredibles
“One Of Africa’s Leading Female Entrepreneurs” recognition by Elle Magazine (South Africa) in 2015 acknowledged Ozolua’s leadership and entrepreneurship footprints in the African marketplace
”One of the Leading Ladies Of Africa (Nigeria) 2022
”One of Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring women in Nigeria (2022)
Honorary Consul, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). President Felix Tsehisekedi nominated Princess Ozolua as the DRC's Honorary Consul to Lagos, Nigeria (2020)
Young Manager of the Year, ThisDay Newspaper Awards, Nigeria (2005)
Bi-Annual distribution of Albendazole, deworming medication and pre-natal vitamins to over 620,000 children and women in Nigeria and DRC during each mission (2018 - present)
Distribution of Albendazole, deworming medication and pre-natal vitamins to over 10,000 children and women in Edo State, Nigeria (2018)
Collaboration with the Nigerian Army and the Borno State government, initiated, facilitated and led the evacuation of 1,800 severely malnourished IDP children from Boko Haram’s stronghold in Bama, Borno State (2016)
Niger Delta and Kano State: Bringing Hope to Nigerian Children Suffering From Birth Defects (2003)
Edo State, Nigeria: Reconstructive surgery of victims of contaminated kerosene explosions (2004)
Niger Delta, Nigeria: Reconstructive Surgery for underprivileged children (2004)
Niger Delta, Nigeria: Reconstructive surgery for underprivileged children (2005)
Kwara State, Nigeria: Free National Medical Mission (2006)
To improve the regulatory framework of CSOs in Nigeria, Princess Ozolua assumed the leadership position of Senior Special Assistant on NGOs and People with Disabilities (PWD) in the Office of the Deputy President of the 9th Senate, National Assembly (Nigeria) from 2019 to 2023. In that role she was Chairperson, SOP on clearing charitable items into the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2020 - 2023). She initiated the project and oversaw implementation of the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) Working Group's review, simplification, recommendations and harmonization of laws and policies relating to the clearing processes of charitable items into Nigeria. As Chair of the SOPWG, she was responsible for strategic inter-government negotiations and all stakeholders' support towards the creation of a new national SOP.
The SOPWG consisted of 130 members including National Assembly committee Chairs and Clerks; government ministries, agencies, security agencies, United Nations bodies, development partners, INGOs, CSOs, port service providers, diplomatic Corps and consultants.
CO-Chairperson, Technical Committee on the creation of an NGO National Database in Nigeria (2020 - Present). She initiated this project and oversaw the creation of the Nigerian government’s first-ever national database of NGOs operating in Nigeria with capacity for real-time interface with all regulating MDAs online platforms for ease of verification, national mapping, communication and dissemination of information and changes in laws and policies regarding CSO engagement in the country.
Ozolua successfully facilitated the partnership with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, negotiated inter-government and donors’ participation, and is also a strategic member of the Steering Committee members which consist of government ministries, government agencies, United Nations bodies, development partners, INGOs and CSOs. She also got development partners to sponsor the creation of the Nigeria Government's first national NGO database which now domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.
Government and CSO Multi-Stakeholders’ Forum
Initiated project and oversee the creation of Nigeria’s first government and Civil Society multi-stakeholders’ forum domiciled at the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning with focus of enabling seamless communication and review of policies regarding civil society legal frameworks in the country. Members of the forum consist of National Assembly legislators, government ministries, agencies, security agencies, United Nations bodies, development partners, INGOs and CSOs.
Improved collaboration between Nigeria National Assembly and CSOs
Ozolua successfully facilitated relationships between the 9th Assembly Senate and House of Representatives Committee Chairpersons and CSOs which enabled opportunities for alliances on amendment of laws regulating the CSO sector.
