The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Cross River State Chapter, and renowned Anambra State philanthropist, resident in Calabar, Hon Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, has donated food items worth millions of naira to over 1000 people in Calabar Municipality and Calabar South Local Government Areas, including Igbo indigenes from Anambra, Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu and Imo states, as well as the Hausa and Yoruba communities resident in Calabar, for Christmas.

Presenting food items, including bags of rice and condiments, to the beneficiaries at the former De – Choice Fast Food premises in Calabar, Egwuonwu, the Chairman and Chief Executive of AC Peterson Electronic Company Limited said the gesture was driven by gratitude to God for changing his life story. “When I was about 10 years old, my father’s house was the headquarters of poverty in my community,” he recalled. “But God changed the narrative. Today, I have been blessed beyond measure, and this is my own way of giving back.”

“I gathered everyone here today to give thanks to God for obvious reasons. About two years ago, I fell seriously ill, and medically, no one was able to determine the cause of my sickness.

“I had the resources to travel far and wide in search of answers, but no medical practitioner could tell me exactly what was wrong with me or identify my health challenge.

“In the midst of that battle, I made a vow to God. I said, ‘God, if I remain alive and regain my health, I will feed 1000 people, build a church from the foundation to completion, and donate five cows as a thanksgiving offering.’ Last year, I fulfilled the vow concerning the cows. This year, I have gathered my own people here today. Those of you present are my primary priority.

“Any healthy person is not poor. Let us keep our hope alive. As long as you do not block anyone’s progress, God will never allow your own path to be blocked,” he said.

“But God has been so generous to me that I decided to expand it to feed 2,500 people,” he said, adding that he has been carrying out a similar exercise in his village over the last nine years and that this year’s edition will take place on December 24.

The Ohanaeze leader expressed appreciation to Cross Riverians for patronising his business and to the state government for creating a peaceful and conducive business environment for non-indigenes in the state.

“We no longer feel like strangers here. Under my leadership, no Igbo person has reported harassment. We are witnessing positive changes in Cross River,” he said, adding prayers for Governor Bassey Otu, his wife, and other top government officials.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Non-Indigene Affairs, Mazi Okey Maduekwe, described the event as a reflection of the spirit of Christmas. “Christmas is a season of sharing. Whether you have a cup of rice or a spoon, you share with your neighbour,” he said, noting that the palliatives cut across ethnic lines, benefiting Cross Riverians, Igbos, Hausas, Yorubas, Akwa Ibomites, and others.

Maduekwe commended the donor for complementing the administration’s people-oriented initiatives. “Peterson may not be the richest, but he is copying the right spirit.”

“I hope others will emulate this gesture and extend a hand of fellowship to the less privileged,” he added, urging beneficiaries to share with their neighbours.

The philanthropist’s wife, Mrs Charity Chukwuemeka, an indigene of Cross River State, described the outreach as a thanksgiving to God following her husband’s near-death experience.

“You cannot take money to heaven to thank God; it is by touching human lives that you show gratitude,” she said, calling on Nigerians to embrace peace, love and generosity despite the country’s challenges. “When you have life and good health, you are wealthy,” she

A beneficiary, Mrs Geraldine Madueke from Owelle Court Community, who described Chief Egwuonwu as a man of impeccable character, particularly in almsgiving, commended him for remembering the residents of Calabar.

“I thank the Hon Egwuonwu for being a blessing to us and for celebrating Christmas for us, and may God bless and pay them back a millionfold,” she prayed.

The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Cross River State Chapter, Hon Chief Chukwuemeka Egwuonwu, distributing the food items to beneficiaries during the event in Calabar