As founder celebrates 50th birthday in grand style

To support indigent residents and put a smile on their faces, Ejike Chukwu Foundation has feted over 500 widows across the 27 Councils in Imo State with bags of rice, other food stuffs, and cash donations.

Amidst the biting economic hardship that has cast shadows over many families, the unwavering acts of philanthropy and support towards the widows who converged at the Forth Event Centre, off Port Harcourt Road, Owerri, as Ejike Chukwu Foundation led by its President, Chief Ejike Chukwu, gave out the food and other materials as part of activities marking his 50th birthday anniversary.

During his opening remarks to officially kick- start the event, while individually acknowledging his friends, associates, and Nollywood actors in attendance, Chairman, Megadrill Nigeria Ltd and Founder, Ejike Foundation, Dr. Ejike Chukwu, a trained accountant by profession, expressed gratitude for the show of love by well-wishers to celebrate with him on the occasion.

He, however, commended the resilience of the widows and all beneficiaries of his empowerment programmes for keeping hope alive despite the burden the economic challenges has laid on their shoulders.

Chukwu maintained that the Foundation 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 organisation 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, many people can break the cycle of poverty, inequality, and build a brighter future for themselves.

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 helped 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, said it was heartwarming to see his friend celebrating his birthday and kick-starting it with an empowerment to the widows and downtrodden, recognising that everything is not done by the government.

Ejiogu said: “We are here today to witness another milestone by this young man, Dr. Ejike Chukwu, celebrating his birthday and kicking it off with a philanthropic work. This is not the first time that I am witnessing my friend 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 recognised 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 empowerment, 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, in her welcome address, applauded Chukwu for his visionary leadership in establishing the foundation which has become a beacon of hope and catalyst for positive 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 empowerment to those in need.

Eulogising Chukwu’s selfless service to God and humanity, a former Special Adviser on Political Matters to Governor Hope Uzodimma, and Convener of Isu Nation Convention, Chief Batos Nwadike (Oyi of Igboland), saluted him for fulfilling 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 is 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 per cent 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 heard and addressed by volunteer human rights organisations and concerned individuals.

Barr. Kingsley Ononuju, a former Imo Commissioner for Commerce, Trade and Investment, expressed his avowed solidarity for the leadership approach of 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 Enlightenment to Governor Hope Uzodimma, also saluted him for his buoyant heart for charity and love for humanity, maintaining that philanthropy runs in his DNA.

Director of Operations, Imo Women for Peace and Good Governance Initiatives, Dr. Bibiana Chinyere Okereafor, 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 philanthropist on his day.

At the event, students who were lucky beneficiaries of the education scholarship scheme of the Ejike Chukwu Foundation were also present to serve as living witnesses to the benevolence of the man from whose heart flows the milk of human kindness.

The dignitaries at the event include: Actor, Director, and Film Producer, Ejike Asiogu, immediate past President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Fred Amata, Actress and Producer, Grace Ama, Actress|Broadcaster, and Gloria Anozie- Young, among others.

Also, traditional rulers at the event are:
His Royal Majesty, Eze Mathew Nwokeoma. Umuokanne Ancient Kingdom Ohaji Council, 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: Melford Gideon, former Chairman of Ohaji/Egbema Council, Sir Modetus Nwamkpa, Publisher of The Big Truth Newspapers, Chiagozie Paddy Obinna Jnr.