In a move widely hailed as timely wake-up call for Anambra industrialists, investors, and successful businessmen, including the diaspora, to always develop their homes, an illustrious son of Aku village in Ezinifite in Aguata Council, Anambra State, Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele (Okwunze Aguata), has been commended by the people on the auspicious occasion marking the official flag-off of a 4.2km road he is single-handedly constructing in his community, in line with the Public -Private Community Partnership (PPCP) Initiative of the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led administration in the state.

The multi-million naira landmark road construction flag-off facilitated and sponsored by Obele on Friday, May 23, 2025 , brought together traditional rulers, town union presidents- general, community leaders, members of Ezinifite Improvement Union, artisans, students, different socio-cultural groups, opinion leaders and elected councilors, as Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, was represented by the Mayor of Aguata Council, Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike, who performed the official flag-off ceremony amid commendations by the people.

During his remarks, the traditional ruler of Ezinifite Community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Bob Chukwuma Orji (Ezeugo ll of Ezinifitte Aguata), applauded Okwunze Aguata ‘s buoyant heart for charity and love for humanity, which is exemplified in his personal drive towards community development, human capacity building, and donations of start-ups capital to small business owners, among other philanthropic gestures.

The monarch said: “We are here today to commend our illustrious son and industrialist, Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele, for the official flag-off of the 4.2km road construction in Ezinifite Community which will not only ease traffick jam and long travel hours, but will also connect us to other neighbouring towns in Aguata LGA and across the state faster than expected.”

Commending the magnanimity and unwavering commitment of Chief Ikenna Obele’s personal drive to build capacity and develop community with his God-given resources, Igwe Bob Chukwuma Orji, however, called on other well-to-do sons and daughters of Ezinifite community to emulate the exemplary selfless community services and people-oriented based leadership style of the industrialist— Okwunze Aguata.

Speaking at the event, Soludo commended Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele’s timely intervention on the construction which, if eventually completed, would link the community to other neighbouring towns across the state.

While praying for God’s continued protection and providence on the road facilitator and sole sponsor— Obele, maintained that the project aligned with the Public/Private/Community/Partnership Initiative of the Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo’s led Solution Administration; advising the youths, community leaders and all stakeholders to get involved by protecting both men and equipment that would be deployed to the project site during and after the execution of the road construction project.

The road contractor, Engr. Emeka Ononuju, affirmed that the project which is aimed at opening up the vast uncultivated lands in the area and reclaiming terrains ravaged by erosion gullies will commence in earnest.

The whole idea of the construction project is to link the community to Amawabia, Agulu, Nanka, Ekwulobia, Uga interstate highway being constructed.

He said: The newly flagged off- if completed, in a projected 4 month construction duration, would go a long way in easing traffic jam and reducing travel time, Engr. Onunouju stated.”

He also commended Chief Ikenna Obele for the bold initiative of the road construction project, which would stimulate economic activities in the area and connect the community to other neighbouring towns.

Obele, while speaking with newsmen after the road construction flag-off, said that he is passionately driven by anything that has to do with humanitarian cause, maintaining that it is his own way of giving back to the society and what the environment has invested in him over time. Admitting that, there is an obvious challenge of a bad road network back home, and since the government can not do everything for the people, he is poised to do his bit to support the present administration of Prof. Charles Soludo in Anambra State.

With the impressive performance of the state governor in the areas of urban renewal, security, and road construction, Obele affirmed his support to the present administration in Anambra State since government cannot carry out all these enormous tasks alone, calling on fellow industrialists, the diaspora, and investors to align with the Public Private Community Partnership Initiative for the common good and development of the state.

Chief Dr. Amb. Anthony Ikenna Obele (Okwunze Aguata) , an industrialist with impressive scorecard, billionaire boardroom business strategist, serial entrepreneur, home builder, respected community leader, uncommon philanthropist, and foreign investor with interests spanning: real estate, maritime, logistics , road construction, hospitality, oil & gas, and rural development, is the Chairman, Mekena Properties & Construction Nig. Ltd.

Group Chairman, Ganik Oil & Gas Nig. Ltd. Chairman, Ecopark Lodge , South Africa, among other business establishments. And through strategic thinking and productive engagements with his foreign partners, has laid a strong foundation for multi-million dollars business conglomerate.

The 2021 Rainbow Hall of Fame Business Man of the Year; 2024 Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Social Impact Champion Award Recipient; is a honourary holder, Doctor of Humanitarian Services and Community Development, among several national and international awards conferment on him in recognition of his immeasurable contribution towards the development of society and humanity.