About Us

Nurturing Potential, Cultivating Futures
Growing Seed Friends Foundation (GSFF)

Growing Seed Friends Foundation (GSFF) is the Nigerian subsidiary of the UK-based Growing Seed Trust Foundation (GSTF). We are committed to transforming lives through sports, education, and sustainable development, focusing on children and youth in underserved communities..

GSFF operates in Ewulu, Niger Delta, Nigeria, with an inclusive, community-driven approach. Our core focus areas include:

🏉 Rugby Football & Community Sports
Promoting discipline, teamwork, and self-esteem through structured youth sports.
🌿 Organic Farming (Farming God’s Way)
Teaching sustainable agriculture techniques to boost food security and environmental stewardship.
📘 Life Skills & Environmental Education
Equipping youth with practical knowledge for personal development and responsible living.
👩🏽‍🌾 Microfinance & Women Empowerment
Supporting local women through financial literacy and small-scale business opportunities.
🤝 Community & Faith Partnerships
Working alongside schools, churches, mosques, and universities to build strong, united communities.
🕊️ Peacebuilding, Research & Learning
Creating platforms for education, healing, and dialogue through inclusive initiatives.

Our Mission

To inspire and equip young people with the tools, skills, and opportunities to break the cycle of poverty, achieve economic independence, and lead their communities to a brighter future.

Our Vision

A thriving and self-sustaining Niger Delta where youth, women, and communities are empowered through education, sports, agriculture, and microfinance.

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Our Four Pillars of Impact

We embrace diversity, welcoming individuals from all faiths and backgrounds. Our goal is to build a supportive and united community that fosters respect, collaboration, and growth.

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Our microfinance program enables grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women, to start and grow businesses. By providing small loans and business training, we help individuals achieve financial independence and create jobs in their communities.

We use rugby and community sports as tools to bring people together, foster teamwork, and instill values of discipline, respect, and perseverance. Through partnerships, we aim to develop local and international sports programs that give youth the opportunity to excel on and off the field.

Making a Difference

Our Dedicated Team

Peter Ferguson – Chairman

Position: co-Founder, Growing Seeds Trust Foundation (GSTF) | Growing Seeds Friends Foundation(GSFF).

Peter Ferguson co-founded GSTF, reconstituted from Addax RFC in 2021, to provide underprivileged children with opportunities through rugby and life skills programs. A former Henley RFC player, Peter introduced rugby to Nigerian youth, helping many advance to national representation.

With a background as a Chartered Surveyor, engineer, and consultant, Peter has led projects in petrochemicals, energy, and environmental management across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He is currently advising on wind energy solutions and holds an honors degree in theology from Westminster College, Oxford.

Responsibilities:

  • Drives GSTF’s vision and sustainable growth.
  • Leads website design and fundraising efforts.
  • Oversees life skills initiatives and board accountability.

Emeka Ukome – Co-founder

Position: Co-founder, Growing Seeds Trust Foundation (GSTF) | Growing Seed Friends Foundation (GSFF) | Chairman, Delta State Rugby Association

Emeka Ukome co-founded GSTF in 2021, evolving from Addax RFC (est. 2007) to support underprivileged youth through rugby. A former West African rugby champion, he introduced grassroots rugby to Lagos schools, launching the “Mike Ukome Cup” in 2001 and establishing the Schools Rugby Association.

Under his leadership, Addax Rugby Club provided disadvantaged children with pathways to national representation and career opportunities. Now based in Delta State, Emeka continues to expand rugby, life skills programs, women’s empowerment, and sustainable agriculture through Ukome Farms.

Responsibilities:

  • Reports to the GSTF Board.
  • Oversees rugby development in the Niger Delta.
  • Leads life skills, women empowerment, and farming initiatives.
  • Partners with schools and communities to promote youth development.

Ego Adoh- Board member

Position: Board Member, Growing Seeds Trust Foundation (GSTF)

Ego Adoh, an international Taekwondo champion, has won multiple medals, including at the Welsh and English Opens, and placed 4th in the World Taekwondo Championships. A finance professional, Ego is an IT Commercial & Financial Manager at The Automobile Association (AA), holds a BSc in Accounting from Ahmadu Bello University, an MBA from Cranfield University, and is a Fellow of ACCA.

Responsibilities:

  • Manages GSTF’s financial strategy, budgeting, and reporting.
  • Oversees bookkeeping, risk management, and compliance.
  • Provides financial guidance to optimize costs and efficiency.

Christiana Onabu – Board member

Position: Board member of Growing Seed Friends Foundation || Founder of Thomas Honeycomb Foundation (THF)

She retired as an Executive Director at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) in 2023 after holding key leadership positions, including MD of NIDAS Group and Manager of Planning and Supply & Distribution (Offshore). With expertise in entrepreneurship and downstream operations, she excels in service quality management, leadership, and project execution.

Mrs. Onabu is committed to youth, women, and child empowerment through financial support, mindset transformation, and vocational training. She actively supports the Growing Seeds Friends Foundation (GSFF), helping individuals turn their dreams into reality.

Responsibilities

  • Oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of empowerment programs.
  • Manage partnerships with NGOs, government agencies, and private sector stakeholders.
  • Coordinate outreach activities to maximize community engagement and participation.
  • Provide leadership in fundraising and donor engagement efforts to sustain initiatives.
  • Report program progress and financial accountability to the Board of the Growing Seeds Friends Foundation
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