Modupe Ozolua (born October 10, 1973) 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.
Career
Ozolua returned to Nigeria in 2001 and started Body Enhancement Ltd,[5] a cosmetic surgery company and aesthetic laser treatments in Nigeria.[6]
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.[7]
Princess Ozolua writes articles focused on politics, charity and lifestyle which are published in Nigerian national newspapers and magazines.
Personal life
Princess Ozolua married at 21 and divorced at the age of 23. She has a son.[8]
Some awards
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 10, 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)
Beautician of the Year: 5th City People Award for Excellence
Excellence in Enterprise Award: Dr Kwame Nkrumah International Award, Ghana
Female Achiever of the Year, (2001): City People Award, Nigeria
Humanitarian Service Award: Rotaract Club of Nigeria (Rotary International)
Merit Award: Lagos State Aids Control Agency Governor's Office (LSACA), Outstanding Nigerian Woman, Nigerian Women's Award, 5th Annual Ceremony
SheRose Awards (2018): SheRose, Ireland
Some nominations
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)
Some projects
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)
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