Evangelist Bethran Uzodinma is a successful real estate expert, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who through his foundation Fratelo Charity, has been providing humanitarian aids to people challenged with harsh circumstances of life including poverty and hunger alleviation, as way of fulfilling his promise to God. In this chit chat with Tricia Iwuoha, he talks about his success story, impacts of his foundation towards empowering the less privileged in the society among other issues.
Tricia Iwuoha
Who is Evang. Bethran Uzodinma and what do you do?
I am Evang. Bethran Uzodinma born into the family of Mr. & Mrs. Cyprian Uzodinma Anochirionye in Umuezie – Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State. I had my primary education at Community Primary School, Umuezie – Nguru and my secondary education at Nguru Secondary Technical School, Ahiato both in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area. After my graduation from secondary school, I ventured into business to make a difference in life and as providence would have it, I traveled to Europe where I studied some management courses in Administration and Criminology among others in some higher institutions. After spending some years in Europe precisely Italy, I saw the need to come back to Nigeria and start a business. With the connections I made abroad, I was able to do some businesses before venturing into real estate and consultancy. By the grace of God, I am Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Fratelo Group of Companies. My quest to serve God and humanity led to my being ordained as an evangelist twenty two years ago and as a servant of God, I’m committed to the propagation of the good news about Jesus Christ also to give succour to the down trodden of our society.
What in life inspired you to become a philanthropist?
Well, right from childhood days, I can tell you that I was very focused because I knew what I needed and went for them. I had the zeal of getting into productive ventures that will put me in vantage position to help people around me which eventually paid off. I always say to myself that if God gives me the required resources, I will help those in need. So having observed over time the level of hardship in our society, it was pertinent to reach out to the needy. I was so amazed when I visited a primary school in my village and found out their challenges, the little help I rendered was so much appreciated and it was a great relief to them. Infact, the level of appreciation I received when I went to Federal Medical Center (FMC) Owerri, to help pay the medical bills for some indigent patients was very unprecedented. These gestures opened my eyes and spurred me to do more.
Do you have a foundation? Tell us about your mission.
Yes, I have a Foundation. When I found out that the charity cause was elevating lives, I decided to register a foundation known as Fratelo Charity Foundation which now handles all our philanthropic projects. Our mission is “Helping to uplift the value of human dignity.”
How long have you been into philanthropy?
You know philanthropy has no phase because it is centered on helping those in need. I have been into it over time, probably on a low scale because to share with people the little I have is innate in me. So I would say my philanthropic gestures got to limelight in 2019 and 2020 that is the period I have been more consistent with my works because I work as the Holy Spirit directs me. Before I do anything on charity, I hand it over to God to decide and whatever the Holy Spirit directs that it is.
Where did you find the connection between real estate and philanthropy?
The connection came when I discovered that I can use my profession to save lives. That is saying, as a real estate expert who builds homes for clients I can also build for the homeless too and I can tell you that I have built homes for the indigents in various communities through my work, and it’s very heartwarming to know that someone isn’t homeless because of me.
Which of your philanthropic endeavours are you proud of?
I am very proud of all my endeavours without exception. I have said it earlier philanthropy does not have stages, so long you satisfy the yearning of a person or group involved. The way a primary school pupil feels relieved when someone pays his/her school or exam fee is the same way an indigent patient feels when his medical bills are paid by someone else and also, the same way a homeless couple feels when a home is provided for them. What I’m trying to say is that the attendant reliefs experienced are immeasurable and cannot be quantified.
How do you feel about helping the less privileged?
Without mincing words, I feel very happy finding myself in a position to help the less privileged in the society. I see it as a privilege for me which I pray God Almighty not to allow me abuse. All the wealth I make is from God and he directs on how I spend it.
What are your future plans?
I know very well it is only God that can predict the future no other person but as human I pray that God continues to bless my Foundation, so that I will be able to raise more resources to enable me help more people in the society and also grant me more business connections to create job opportunities through my organisation which I know will help reduce the unemployment level in the society. I also pray that God helps me to know him more, to do his will and win more souls for him.
You are into many things; tell us how you manage your time?
You are right. I have a lot of things I do, but I am so blessed that I know Christ. With Christ in me I can do all things. I try as much as I can to create a balance between my work and family. The good thing is that I have a very supportive wife in the person of Mrs. Chioma Bethran Uzodinma. You will agree with me that if my wife is not supportive, there is no way I would have achieved most of what I am doing now. I thank her for that because she also helps to manage and take care of the home front when I’m too engaged. She is a good woman.
There is this notion that most people use philanthropy as an avenue to market themselves for their political ambitions. Do you have any political ambition?
I say this always, “I do not have any political ambition”. I used to be into politics but after my various experiences, I observed the way our people here play politics of exclusion, every person suspecting each other and with no fear of God in all they do, all these made me lose interest in our politics. If God can give me enough resources through my business, what else am I looking for in politics? Is it to go and steal public funds? God forbid I will not. I am not interested in politics.
Do you feel philanthropy is an obligation?
This question could be perceived differently by different people. To me, I think it is an obligation. The reason I say this is, if you believe God gives you the wealth you have, and that it is not through your strength or skill rather through God’s favour, you will realise that God can even withdraw the wealth also. Knowing this, one has no other alternative than to use it to bless others just like he has done to you. But someone who believes he makes his wealth through his strength and skills will tell you he made his money and will decide on how to spend it. I strongly believe God helps me to create wealth and I spend it with his directives.
Recently, you were given an award by United States Latino America Chambers and have continued to win awards since you engaged in your philanthropic endeavours, some people believe influence attracts these awards rather than merit. What is your take on this?
If you know me very well, you will know I do not believe in undue influence in anything I do. My belief in God elucidates this as my policy in life because I cannot play or challenge God. If you influence any human endeavour, then it means you are challenging God and I cannot do that. All those who recognised and appreciated me are known organisations with addresses which can be verified. For long I have been helping humanity in my own way and my endeavours have been compiled into a brochure for everyone to see. My commitments are there for people to see and investigate, because they are all verifiable. So I cannot influence anything, plus I believe in God’s course in all I do. Anything that does not glorify God is not for me.
What are your challenges?
Being human, we still have challenges in all we do. Some of the challenges emanate from the limited resources we have. At times, due to limited funding, we do not get into most of the projects we had wanted to execute. The next is because of the kind of philanthropic activities we are into, all manner of people come for assistance but when they do not meet our standards they feel disappointed and at times start casting aspersions on us erroneously.
Who are those that most influenced your life?
The main person that influences me in all I do is God Almighty. As usual, whenever I see those I have assisted in one way or the other, I feel so elated because I believe I have helped to reduce hardship in the society. In most cases, when you preach to them they listen and likely accept Christ, meaning I have won a soul for Christ, which is my basic interest, and it may turn out that the dependents of that person will benefit from the project, thereby that aid will yield multiplying effects. I really feel fulfilled seeing those I have helped doing well.
Do you have some helping hands or people that contribute to your work?
Honestly, there has not been any external aid as the case may be, except God who has blessed and put me in the position to do same for others, also my dear wife and my team who have been supportive in all I do even at very hard times. I am blessed to have a wife who shares the same values with me and knows Christ too.
What has been your philanthropic interest and what message do you have for others?
My main interest in all these is to be in a good position to help others. I so much believe in God and what he can do to change our fortunes. It has not been easy for me in life. I have had my own challenges in life as a human being and all along I have been praying to God to help me which he did and that made me decide that the wealth God has given me, I will likewise use to uplift others, especially the less privileged in our society. You see whenever I do this, I feel very happy and fulfilled. The gap hardship has created in the society is so wide that the government alone cannot deal with them all, so I’m using this medium to call out to well meaning men, women and corporate bodies to go out of their way to help the down trodden because I strongly believe such philanthropic gestures can help to alleviate sufferings in the society.
