It was a day of celebration in Umuawulu, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State, as residents and dignitaries gathered to honour one of their own, High Chief Dr. Christopher Chukwunwogo Ndubuisi, popularly known as Ikenga Umuawulu, for his extensive contributions to community development.

The highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of 30.5 kilometres of standard roads constructed across Umuawulu and neighbouring communities — a privately funded infrastructure project described as one of the most significant in the area’s history.

Performing the commissioning, Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo commended the benefactor for his commitment to development and for complementing the state’s People’s Power and Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative.

“Umuawulu is witnessing transformation through partnership and self-help. What Ikenga has done demonstrates the power of individual responsibility in community growth,” the governor said, adding that such gestures align with his administration’s vision of a “livable, secure, and prosperous Anambra.”

Beyond infrastructure, Ikenga launched an agricultural empowerment scheme tagged “We Must Farm”, aimed at boosting food production and rural enterprise. As part of the initiative, he donated five new tractors, truck-cycles, fertilizers, hybrid seedlings, and farm implements to local cooperatives to support mechanised farming and improve yields.

The event also featured a distribution of 3,500 bags of rice to households across Umuawulu, a gesture the organisers said was part of broader social welfare efforts to cushion living costs and support families during the festive period.

In addition, 5,000 solar-powered street lights have been installed in Omaola and other parts of the community to enhance safety and promote night-time economic activities. Residents said the lighting project has improved security and transformed the town’s outlook.

During the ceremony, Ikenga presented five Toyota Hiace buses to Governor Soludo in support of the state’s ongoing development efforts. The governor, in response, described him as “a partner in progress” and urged others to emulate his example.

From road infrastructure to agriculture, energy, and social welfare, the Umuawulu philanthropist’s initiatives have drawn praise from community leaders, who said the projects reflect a deep sense of service and patriotism.