How Anambra Born Philanthropist, Dr Jim Okonkwo Mobilized For President Jonathan

 Dr Jim Okonkwo third left being welcomed by Chief Gary Igariwey on red cap , Ohaneze Ndigbo to the Igbo day

            Dr Okonkwo in a handshake with Chief Igariwey , Ohaneze Boss

                                   Dr Okonkwo being welcomed by his boys

Anambra state was agog with festivities weekend as Widows from the South Eastern states received Wife of President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan at Alex Ekwueme square Awka reports Odogwu Media.

The event was South-East Women’s Empowerment Programme for widows jointly organized by her non-government organization (NGO), Women for Change Initiative and 4J, another NGO, campaigning for the re-election of President Jonathan anchored by Prince Arthur Eze, an oil tycoon.

 Wife of the President (Mama Peace) flew into the crowded venue in a helicopter and was welcomed by dignitaries, including Governor Willie Obiano and his wife Ebelechukwu (Osodieme), National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria and Auto bike Owners Association of Nigeria (M.T.U.N/A.O.W.A.N)/ National Chief Taskforce on Network, Abuja, Dr Jim Okonkwo , Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha and other members of the National Assembly from South-East, Prince Arthur Eze and the wives of Governors of Ebonyi, Abia States.

The event odogwuemekaodogwu.com reports was splendid without observers knowing that there are those behind the scene that mobilized thousands of widows already in their payroll like the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT) of Motorcycle Transport Union of Nigeria and Auto bike Owners Association of Nigeria (M.T.U.N/A.O.W.A.N)/ National Chief Taskforce on Network, Abuja, Dr Jim Okonkwo. He not only mobilized widows , hundreds of youths and keke drivers and motorcycle drivers that thronged the venue of the reception were mobilized by Dr Jim Okonkwo. He said he did that as his support to the re-election bid of President Jonathan , adding that he had been mobilizing discreetly for Jonathan’s re-election until recently he came open.

But before that event , Dr Okonkwo an Abuja based businessman and Patron of Agulu Youth Movement (AYM) had mobilized men and women especially widows at different forum canvassing for support for the state Governor Willie Obiano and wife as well as President Goodluck Jonathan and wife Patience Jonathan in their re-election bid. That has take him to Ebonyi and Enugu as well as other states in other parts of the country as whatever official function he is going is targeted at mobilizing his members across the Nation for Jonathan. His followers and members have given him their words that they are for Jonathan. Think of the population of Motorcycle riders, Keke drivers and Autobike drivers and marvel the number of votes Jim Okonkwo is coming to table with as well as other sheds of his interest like security where he is the national Chief Taskforce on Network Abuja.

 

Dr Jim Okonkwo has been in support of widows from Agulu his home town, to communities in Anaocha, his local government area as well as Anambra state at large and has extended his philanthropy to the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) pet project of Anambra State First Lady, Mrs. Ebele Obiano where he donated N1 million to the Initiative. The pet project takes care of poor rural women , orphans and vulnerable children as well as widows and youths in Anambra communities.  

  

Dr Okonkwo made the donation when the First Lady visited Neni, Anaocha local government area headquarters as part of her ongoing empowerment tour to the 21 local government areas in the State.

Presenting the donation to Mrs. Obiano, Okonkwo said experience has shown that the hand of God is always seen in the lives of those who care for widows and empower poor people in the society like Obiano and his wife.

Okonkwo expressed support for the empowerment programme and pet project of the first lady, adding that as a community leader in Anaocha local government area, he would contribute his quota to ensure that her programme succeeds.

His words, “I love anything about poor masses and widows. I am from a poor family. I think I have made their duty my duty. I am very happy with the wife of the current Governor , Chief Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) because she is following that step also, taking care of the widows, youth empowerment and all these.

“I think that is the major thing you can do for the poor in life. I am not surprised on their victory at the Supreme Court because when you are taking care of the poor, everything is possible. I am congratulating her and her husband.

“Behind every successful man, there is a woman. We have been on it for a long time.  So she should keep on with the empowerment because from there, the hand of God is on us. We are very happy. We have to play our little role to show that we appreciate what she is doing. Before her husband became Governor, I was the one who endorsed him at Ohanaeze Ndigbo meeting” Okonkwo said.

He enjoined other public spirited individuals to emulate the wife of the Governor, describing her as the mother of all widows, poor people and youths in Anambra State.

The Patron of Agulu Youth Movement (AYM), attributed the court victory of the Governor Obiano at the Supreme court recently to the kind gestures shown to widows and poor people by his wife, Ebele Obiano, the first lady of Anambra

Anambra state Governor’s wife , Chief Mrs Ebele Obiano thanked all the donors especially Dr Jim Okonkwo for supporting her pet project, assuring that she would deploy all their donations to the service of humanity, especially towards bettering the lives of widows, the poor and youth empowerment.

Earlier, Chairman of Anaocha local government area, Ikeobi Ejiofor welcomed the wife of the Governor, saying that she has shown love to the people of Anaocha local government area through her empowerment programme.

In her speech, wife of Anaocha boss, Mrs. Chioma Ejiofor noted that the CARE project has ensured that women in Anaocha and the State in general have a voice in all spheres of life and appealed to the First Lady to assist women in the 10 towns in the area with Garri processing machines, tailoring equipment among others.

At the maiden World Igbo Day 2014 celebration which was held for the first time locally at Dr Alex Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra, Dr Jim Okonkow mobilized too for President Jonathan and Igbo agenda and was commended by the President general Ohaneze, Chief Gary Enwo Igariwey .

Igariwey reiterated that for equity and justice, Ndigbo would seek the office of president of Nigerian at the expiration of Jonathan’s tenure, saying that Ndigbo would continue to build bridges with other ethnic nationalities towards the cause.

According to Dr. Jim Okonkwo., “Our strength should come from our demographic weight spread all over the country, very soon, after consultation, our people will be called upon to speak with one voice in the issue of president, we did it before and we can do it again”

“The security situation in some parts of the country has exposed our people to clear dangers both in their lives and investments”

"With the escalating body counts from the violence and incendiary rhetoric from discredited politicians who continue to fuel the fire of anti-Igbo hatred, the time to think home is now” Dr. Jim Okonkwo said.

In attendance were former Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amechi and the former Ohanaeze President General, Dr. Dozie Ikedife , Prince Arthur Eze was billed to be chairman of the event,  Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) was represented by Rev. Samuel Audu, Yoruba Youth Council (YYC) was represented by Hon. Husseni Abiola while the Ijaw National congress (INC) was represented by Engr. Ebieridei Charles Ambacowei, the groups Vice president while traditional rulers came from all the states in South East led by the chairman in the zone, Eze Cletus Ilomuanya.

The president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra state, Elder Chris Eluemunoh, who doubled as the chairman, organizing committee in his address, commended the state Governor, Chief Willie Obiano for his enormous contribution towards the Igbo day celebration.

Eluemunoh said there was need for economic empowerment of Ndigbo to enable them participate fully in the transformation that is now taking place in Nigeria under Jonathan.

Governor Obiano said Anambra was supporting President Goodluck Jonathan 100 percent, but APGA would contest every other election in the South East zone.

Dr. Okonkwo and his group took over the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square with glamorously, expressing happiness for their solidarity and support for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and  Governor Chief Willie Obiano.

He is insisting that President Jonathan must be re-elected and they have all it takes to mobilize not only his members but millions of others  to support his re-election bid come 2015.