Our Trustees
UCEP and UCEF trustees are dedicated individuals with a wealth of professional and life experience. They provide strategic leadership, governance guidance, and effective oversight. The Board’s diverse composition ensures balanced decision-making that reflects the interests of the communities we serve.
Trustees (UK) 
The charity, Uwakaneme Community Education Project (UCEP), is registered with the Charity Commission of England and Wales (Charity Number: 1198382) and is also registered with the UK Fundraising Regulator.
Read bio
Charles Uwakeneme
Given the benefit of a business career spanning five decades in the four continents of Africa, Europe, America, and Asia, I witnessed the realities of extreme wealth and crushing poverty. I have also served as trustee or patron on the boards of various charities ranging from those that provide educational coaching and support for students to those that provide social housing for disadvantaged families in England.
My childhood in West Africa was not comfortable but it was safe and full of hope. Many children in West Africa are now growing up in communities where they see poverty, violence, and child exploitation as the norm. Worse still, because of the lack of education children are often denied the opportunity of hope. Hope is that priceless commodity that every child should have but are far too often deprived of.
With all these experiences, I have seen the transformational powers of education in lifting individuals and society at large. I have come to strongly believe that, if children are educated, as well as coached, and mentored in good character-building practices from a young age, their exemplary behaviour as good citizens will positively influence their peers and their communities at large.
In a world that is becoming increasingly fractured and polarised, we all occasionally suffer from “charity fatigue”. We must not allow cynicism or despair to deprive us of the joy of helping. Our contributions to dealing with these societal challenges may appear small but to the recipient child, they are huge and life-changing. The positive ripple defects of giving some of our time and/or some monetary donations are long-lasting.
So, please join the UCEP family in Giving the gift of HOPE to these children of our future.
Thank you.
Charles Uwakaneme
Read bio
Carole Hastings
From my work in West Africa, I have seen the challenges that many children face growing up in communities where poverty, violence and child exploitation are becoming normal.
I am passionate about the work of UCEP, and I have a clear ambition to help safeguard these children, help them to fulfill their potential, and positively influence their development to become exemplary citizens.
Read bio
David Ogilvie
David Ogilvie was born in Edinburgh in 1951, the son of a Gordon Highlander, and was educated at Ampleforth College in Yorkshire. After studying Medieval History at St Andrew’s University he qualified as a Chartered Accountant with Coopers & Lybrand (now PWC) in 1980 and then set up his own accountancy practice in Edinburgh, retiring in 2018. David specialised in family businesses, agricultural estates and trusts and is still involved in a number of local charities promoting riding for the disabled, community projects, sustainable food consumption, the reduction of plastic waste, the pilgrim routes to St Andrews and Scottish culture and heritage. He believes in supporting communities in a manner appropriate to each community and is a director of The Livingstone Initiative, which provides support for the community in Zambia, including education for girls and orphans who would not otherwise get it.
Read bio
Emily Westley
Born in Glasgow in the 70’s we moved to Hastings in the 80’s to find work, and I had to work with my mum to help pay the bills from the age of 10 and so education was not a priority in my household. We are however lucky to have a free education system here in the UK and eventually I went on to be the only person in my family who went to university where I got my Law degree. I am a mother and grandmother and know how important education is and I am humbled and excited to have been asked to join the UCEP family to help educate children in Africa who would otherwise not have the opportunity to go to school.
Read bio
Loren Charlton
Hello, I’m Loren and I’m delighted to be part of the UCEP team.
I’m the proud father of two little boys and I’m passionate about giving everyone the opportunity of education and life experience. Education runs deep in the Charlton family as my Grandfather was a professor at Warwick University and was an early activist for diversity and equal opportunity. I’ve worked for a major UK bank for the last 17 years and outside of work and family I’m a keen sports enthusiast and amateur mountaineer.
Read bio
Dr Chikezie Okike
Dr Chikezie Okike is an educationist who has taught at the Russel Group of universities (Durham University Business School, The University of York Management School and The University of Newcastle Upon Tyne) and other universities in the UK and Saudi Arabia where he was MBA director. He is an accomplished academic with publications in international journals of operations management which is his area of expertise. As director of MBA and other academic and business units he has a proven track record of achievements in people and curriculum management.
Chikezie has a passion to help the challenged and less privileged members of society which is demonstrated in his charitable work. He is trustee of Hope Spring Sunderland which provides educational, physical and mental health support and care for the most vulnerable young people in society. He is also non-executive advisor to Book Aid For Africa (BAFA). BAFA has shipped 1000’s of books free to educational institutions in many African countries which is making an impact on the education of students.
Read bio
Bola Emmanuel Fatusin
I am delighted to be part of the UCEP family and passionate about its dedication in helping the less privileged.
I am a business leader and entrepreneur with vast experience in Finance and Technology globally. I have been involved in numerous charity organizations, a keen supporter of elevating poverty and illiteracy around the world particularly in Africa.
Through my documentary photography as a creative, my travels around the world has shown me how contributing financially or giving your time can transform the lives people for generations to come.
Trustees (NIG) 
The sister charity in Nigeria, Uwakaneme Community Education Foundation (UCEF), is registered with the Nigeria Corporate Affairs Commission as a non-profit organisation responsible for administering the village-based scholarship programme.
Read bio
Charles Uwakeneme
Given the benefit of a business career spanning five decades in the four continents of Africa, Europe, America, and Asia, I witnessed the realities of extreme wealth and crushing poverty. I have also served as trustee or patron on the boards of various charities ranging from those that provide educational coaching and support for students to those that provide social housing for disadvantaged families in England.
My childhood in West Africa was not comfortable but it was safe and full of hope. Many children in West Africa are now growing up in communities where they see poverty, violence, and child exploitation as the norm. Worse still, because of the lack of education children are often denied the opportunity of hope. Hope is that priceless commodity that every child should have but are far too often deprived of.
With all these experiences, I have seen the transformational powers of education in lifting individuals and society at large. I have come to strongly believe that, if children are educated, as well as coached, and mentored in good character-building practices from a young age, their exemplary behaviour as good citizens will positively influence their peers and their communities at large.
In a world that is becoming increasingly fractured and polarised, we all occasionally suffer from “charity fatigue”. We must not allow cynicism or despair to deprive us of the joy of helping. Our contributions to dealing with these societal challenges may appear small but to the recipient child, they are huge and life-changing. The positive ripple defects of giving some of our time and/or some monetary donations are long-lasting.
So, please join the UCEP family in Giving the gift of HOPE to these children of our future.
Thank you.
Charles Uwakaneme
Read bio
Bola Emmanuel Fatusin
I am delighted to be part of the UCEP family and passionate about its dedication in helping the less privileged.
I am a business leader and entrepreneur with vast experience in Finance and Technology globally. I have been involved in numerous charity organizations, a keen supporter of elevating poverty and illiteracy around the world particularly in Africa.
Through my documentary photography as a creative, my travels around the world has shown me how contributing financially or giving your time can transform the lives people for generations to come.
Read bio
Ojinta Oji-Alala
Ojinta Oji-Alala is a Fellow of Computer Association of Nigeria. He was a former President and Chairman of Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria. He has now retired and lives in his village in Aba area of Abia State where he is engaged with Community and social services.
Read bio
Celestine Adigweme
I have always considered myself to be one of the lucky beneficiaries of Nigeria’s post-colonial education system, which was widely adjudged to be productive as well as fit for purpose. Sadly, I have been an unwilling witness to the decay and collapse of that system. The restoration of the system to its rightful state is indispensable to the future development of the country.
Please help a child today
Whether you’re making a one-off gift or a monthly donation, thank you. Your gift will help children get the education, mentorship, and care they need.
