The villages in Ubium all experience the same kind of problems, notably poor housing, low income and standard of living, inadequate infrastructure, low literacy rate, and limited access to health care. Development projects of UDA are, therefore, based on felt community needs. In addition to low socio-economic activities in the communities served by UDA, access to safe drinking water remains a problem. To address this concern and help reduce water borne diseases, UDA, in 2007, embarked upon a rural water scheme to provide safe drinking water in primary grade schools in 20 villages. As of 2013, nine of twenty designated primary grade schools have benefited from this project, each consisting of a borehole, overhead water tank, and generator, while plans for the completion of the remaining water schemes are underway.

On assuming office in July 2013, the new National Executive Committee of the UDA reviewed the development thrust of the organization and announced a new policy package which, include:

1. Rural Water Supply/Clean, Safe Drinking Water Project: In the past six years or so, UDA, with your kind support, has been implementing its rural water project to provide clean and safe drinking water for children and families in 20 designated high risk communities. Through its Health and Basic Services Committee, UDA has expanded the project to provide sanitation and hygiene training and to ensure effective community participation. The success of this project, which has brought vast improvement in the host communities, has been due largely to the partnership we have established with you. Friday Etokimoh, a Philadelphia based successful entrepreneur, in liaison with the Health Committee, is responsible for managing the group of our exceptional experts to accomplish the water project goals. Your continued support and role in this project, essential to its long term impact, will help in the reduction of water borne diseases. The project is being evaluated on an ongoing basis to enable us give you feedback on the impact of your financial gifts and the difference you have made in the lives of others.
   View our latest Ubium Water Borehole Project.
2. Networking: The publication of Participants/Membership Directory as a networking and marketing tool is intended to create a positive image for UDA and foster greater interaction and community mobilization. Members and the general public will benefit from the contact information offered by the publication.
3. Education & Youth Development: This program provides for an annual essay competition in the following categories in partnership with sponsors with a focus on high school, college, and university levels to help the youth develop their potentials and creativity as responsible citizens:
   • Secondary/High School
   • Undergraduate
   • Graduate
   The goal is to inspire youth and foster their understanding of Ubium culture and heritage through a youth summit. The program committee, chaired by Eka Morgan, our education and youth policy analyst, will help youth develop their potentials and creativity as responsible citizen. The Committee is responsible for organizing the Annual Essay Competition designed to create awareness among the youth.
4. Rural Health Care Service/Health and Basic Services Program: Consistent with the goal of basic health services, UDA collaborates with individuals, public and private organizations, as well as government bodies in support of programs and services aimed at making basic health services accessible to poor rural communities. UDA also collaborates with existing health clinics and centers and initiates outreach and education awareness campaign to facilitate individual and community mobilization for health promotion and well-being. The Committee that oversees this project is chaired by Margaret Utuk, a veteran healthcare provider. The Committee that oversees this project assesses existing provisions and facilities for making basic health services available to underserved communities in Ubium. It also plans and makes recommendations to strengthen the services and promote individual and community involvement and participation.
5. Food Production and Nutrition: To help raise the levels of food production, improve nutrition standards while meeting felt community needs, UDA, in partnership with sponsors and funding agencies, supports the development of community-based food projects in poor communities with a focus on: Piggery Farming, Poultry Farming, and Fish Farming and Cassava Processing. Collaboration and partnership with agricultural research institutions, local universities, and private individuals ensures that poor farmers benefit from advances in agricultural practices.
6. Training and Skills Acquisition: In recognition of the need to prepare disadvantaged youths in the target population for job opportunities in the Oil and Gas sectors through its website and other channels, UDA initiates education campaigns to create awareness of the Local Contents Policy, which requires 60% of Nigerians to participate in the Oil and Gas sectors. To avoid duplication, UDA, in collaboration with existing skills acquisition centers, encourages and support activities that promote skill acquisition. Accordingly, UDA through its website provides links to centers that provide relevant vocational training for multiple careers in the Oil and Gas sector. UDA therefore encourages and supports specific activities that will help advance the careers of aspiring youths in both the Oil and Gas and IT industries.
7. UDA Community-Based Library: Library service is crucial for healthy community life and consistent with the objective of UDA to promote educational progress for Ubium people. The objective of this project is to improve education in Ubium by providing opportunity and materials for pupils, students, and their parents to read books and publications which otherwise would not be available to the community. The project will provide materials in every subject for primary and secondary schools, as well as other resources. The project will begin as a pilot in two primary schools willing to provide just a room for its take off. It will be implemented in partnership with the Local Government, individuals, and corporate bodies willing to provide furniture and shelves. The project will be accessible to the community and will use the services of corps members and staff provided on loan by project partners. UDA will provide books and resources, as well as computers under future expansion plans.
   
   Food Production and Nutrition: To help raise the levels of food production, improve nutrition standards while meeting felt community needs, UDA, in partnership with sponsors and funding agencies, supports the development of community-based food projects in poor communities with a focus on:
   • Piggery Farming
   • Poultry Farming
   • Fish Farming
   Collaboration and partnership with agricultural research institutions, local universities, and private individuals ensures that poor farmers benefit from advances in agricultural practices.

To avoid duplication, UDA, in collaboration with existing skills acquisition centers, encourages and supports activities that promote skill acquisition as opposed to establishing an independent center. Accordingly, UDA through its website provides links to centers that provide relevant vocational training for multiple careers in the Oil and Gas sector, information and computer technology, space technology, pharmaceutical, biotech, etc. UDA therefore encourages and supports specific activities that will help advance the careers of aspiring youths in the designated and other industries.

Ways to Get Involved (Links to follow Soon):

• Giving
• Leave a Legacy
• Become a Corporate Sponsor
• Attend or Host an Event
• Volunteer
• Youth in Action
• Travel With Us
• Work with Us
• Share your skills