By Njoku Macdonald Obinna , Owerri
Unprecedented and historical best described the massive attendance, and show of love demonstrated by Dr. Ejike Chukwu (MON, FCIA), as his humanitarian organization, Ejike Chukwu Foundation, on Friday, June 14, 2024, feasted over 500 widows across the 27 LGAs of the Imo State with bags of rice, other food stuffs, and cash donations.
Amidst the biting economic hardship that has cast shadows of pain over many families, the unwavering acts of philantrophy and support towards the widows who converged at the Forth Event Centre, off PortHarcourt road, Owerri, being venue of the humanitarian outreach, as Ejike Chukwu Foundation led by its President, Chief Dr. Ejike Chukwu, MON, a true Nigerian patriot, statesman, uncommon philanthropist, and compassionate leader, as part of the events marking his 50th birthday anniversary distributed lorry loads of rice and other food relief materials to cushion the excruciating effects of the hard times that many homes are going through, Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna, submitted.
During his opening remarks to officially kick- start the event, while individually acknowledging his friends, associates, and Nollywood actors in attendance, the soft speaking but proactive Dr. Ejike Chukwu, Chairman, Megadrill Nigeria Ltd; Founder, Ejike Foundation; a trained accountant by profession, an astute administrator, a polished technocrat, urbane, and avid believer in the integrity of hardwork and merit in all facets of human endeavors, expressed gratitude for the show of love in the massive attendance to celebrate with him on the occasion marking his 50th birthday. He however, commended the resilience of Imo widows and all beneficiaries of his empowerment programs for keeping hope alive despite the burden the economic challenge has laid on their shoulders.
The uncommon philanthropist, Dr. Ejike Chukwu, maintained that the Foundation, a non-profit humanitarian organization is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities through education, skills development, and economic empowerment.
According to him, the Ejike Chukwu Foundation was inspired by his own personal life experiences and the struggles of those around him to create an organization that would make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. He is of the strongest opinion that by providing access to education, skills development, and economic empowerment, we can break the cycle of poverty, inequality, and build a brighter future for all.
A visionary boardroom business strategist, leader, and serial entrepreneur who sits atop the board of Megadrill Nigeria Ltd; one of the leading indigenous oil and gas companies, Dr. Ejike Chukwu is a true patriot, statesman, and highly cosmopolitan Nigerian who does not discriminate on the grounds of tribe, religion, ethnicity, or geopolitical zone, as he has in his various business establishments young Nigerians from different states who are on his monthly workforce payroll as staff. This is apart from those enjoying the magnanimity of his university education scholarship scheme.
Chairman of the occasion, a former Secretary to the Government of Imo State , Sir Jude Ejiogu expressed that it's quite heartwarming to see his friend, Dr. Ejike Chukwu, celebrating his birthday and kick-starting it with an empowernment to the widows and downtrodden; recognizing that everything is not done by the government.
In his own words, the Imo former Scribe, Jude Ejiogu, was captured to have posited:
"We are here today to witness another milestone by this young man, Dr. Ejike Chukwu, celebrating his birthday and kicking it off with a philantrophic work. This is not the first time Iam witnessing my friend, Ejike Chukwu, giving out to the downtrodden. It is his calling. He is always doing this.
"The foundation established many years ago has worked so assiduously to make sure that the downtrodden are empowered. We must continue to thank this young man who has always been selfless, who has recognized that everything is not done by the government. We have individuals who are so selfless in uplifting the downtrodden. While I congratulate the recipients of today's empowernment, I must also thank him immensely for being so magnanimous in giving. I do not intend to stand here and start making a long speech other than to congratulate this young man and pray for God's continued guidance and protection so that by this time next year, he shall gather the downtrodden and bless them. This is an occasion that is mapped out by God."
Director General, Ejike Chukwu Foundation, Dr. Vivian Dimgba, during her welcome address appluaded Chief Dr. Ejike Chukwu for his visionary leadership in establishing such a humanitarian initiative that has become a beacon of hope and catalyst for postive change in Imo State and across Nigeria. According to the DG, Ejike Chukwu Foundation has long been a pillar of support and a source of empowernment to those in need.
Eulogising Dr. Ejike Chukwu's selfless service to God and humanity through his humanitarian organization, a former Special Adviser on political matters to Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Convener of Isu Nation Convention, Chief Dr. Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland), saluted him for fulfillng two important directives of God by providing for the needy and defending the cause of the widows.
An outspoken Nwadike, a big player in the Imo political leadership matrix informed Ohaji/Egbema people where Dr. Ejike Chukwu hailed from that he does not only belong to them but also a big asset to ndi Orlu zone, the entire Imo State, and a national figure who plays at that level.
A guest speaker at the event and professor of law, Nnamdi Obiaraeri, while advocating for the implementation of the 30% affirmative inclusion of women in governance challenged the widows to always cry out for help whenever their fundamental human rights are perceived to have been trampled upon, advising that the social media has become a powerful tool and global platform where the cry for justice of less privileged is easily heared and addressed by volunteer human rights organizations and concerned individuals.
Hon. Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, a former Imo Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment expressed his avowed solidarity to the leadership approach of Dr. Ejike Chukwu and assured him of unflinching support in all his personal and public adventures.
Nze Prince Eze Ugochukwu (Ochiagha Nkwerre), a former Special Adviser on Public Elightenmemt to Governor Hope Uzodimma, saluted the bouyant heart of Dr. Ejike Chukwu for his bouyant heart for charity and love for humanity, maintaining that philantrophy runs in his DNA.
Dr. Mrs. Bibiana Chinyere Okereafor, Director of Operations, IMO WOMEN for Peace and Good Governance Initiatives challenged the widows to always stand up for their rights and say no to defeats despite being widows as many of them are being subjected to emotional, physical, physiological and economic stress, and are often abandoned, while calling on the church, government, social influencers and opinion leaders to stand up in defense of widows.
The event witnessed outpouring of heartwarming goodwill messages by individuals and different social groups who came to celebrate the iconic philanthropist of note on his day. From the light of above, there is no doubt, that Dr. Ejike Chukwu has love for humanity, kanck for listening to the downtrodden, which makes it easy for him to accommodate all shades of opinions and leanings. For his underlying pursuit of knowledge, Dr. Ejike Chukwu believes that it is in the maze of exchange of ideas , convictions and discussions that the best in people and issues can sprout.
High point of the event was massive distribution of bags of rice, food relief materials and cash donations to the widows drawn from the 27 LGAs of Imo State as they smiled home, while thanking God for the gift of Dr. Ejike Chukwu whom God laid it in his heart to empower Imo widows and downtrodden as part of the activities marking 50th birthday anniversary.
Meanwhile, the students who are lucky beneficiaries of the education scholarship scheme of the Ejike Chukwu Foundation were also present at the event to serve as living witnesses to the benevolence of the man from whose heart flows the milk of human kindness.
They included but not limited to; Prince Chiguzo Okereke (Imo State University-Medical Laboratory), Onyeanwuna Onyedikachi Goodness (Federal University of Technology Owerri - Geophysics), Onyeozor Hope Progress (Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri - SLT), Francis Philip Chiedozie (University of Port Harcourt- Petroleum Engineering), Delight Francis (Federal Polytechnic Nekede Owerri- Public Administration), among others.
The event ended in an atmosphere of social conviviality and welfare as all in attendance had more than enough to eat, drink, and take home.
The rich attendance list paraded veteran Nollywood actors and actresses who served as brand ambassadors of the Ejike Chukwu Foundation. And they included;
Ejike Ezigbu: Actor|Director|Film Producer, Fred Amata: Actor|Dircetor, immediate past President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Grace Ama: Actresss|Producer, Gloria Anozie - Young: Actress|Broadcaster, Ekpe Young: Actor|Film Producer, and Uche Nnanna- Maduka: Actress|Award winning filmmaker.
Traditional rulers captured by 4th Estate Reporters included but not limited to;
HRH Eze Barr. Nwokedi T.E. Ikoro ll of Ogbor Ihitteaforukwu Autonomous Community, HRM Eze Dr. Sylvester Okwudor Dike of Obuomadike, former Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema Council of Ndieze, HRM Eze (Sir) Mike Nwamara Ezeukwu ll Umueze- Chokwueze Autonomous Community.
Others are: Hon. Melford Gideon, former Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema LGA, Sir Modetus Nwamkpa, Publisher of The Big Truth Newspapers.
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