By Franklin Onwubiko
For the family of Mr. Emeka Onuora of Umuanaga village in the capital city of Awka, Awka South Local Governement Area of Anambra state, November 1st is a day that would ever remain ever green in the history of the family.
Mr. Onuora in all ramifications have seen, tasted and experienced abject poverty. Prior to an eye injury, Mr. Onuora was an artisan, whose income falls significantly below the poverty line. Married with little children, Mr. Onuorah lived in a house, which could be described as dilapidated with the roof leaking aggressively and begging for succor. Nonetheless, a beggar has no choice as his own aged mother lived in the same dilapidated structure with leaking roofs and peeling walls. Not only that the building was under threat of collapse, the family had little or no access to water nor electricity, no toilet as the family even in this 21st century still made use of the bush toilet system including the aged mother. The family’s peril could be best described as pitiable until a messiah came.
It happened on a fateful day at a burial at Umuanaga village, when Mr. Onuora popularly known as Obe ran into one of the wealthy young men in Awka, Mr. Emeka Jude Agumadu who also is the current chairman, Eke Awka Traders Association, one of the biggest markets in Anambra state. Obe, having nearly lost hope in life and had sought for financial assistance from relatives and got little or no assistance, braved up, defying all odds, pleaded with Mr. Agumadu to come to his rescue by giving him small amount to repair his leaking roof. Mr. Agumadu fondly called Agujiegbe or Baby Awka promised Obe that he would visit his house same day. In between the burial, Mr. Agumadu sneaked into Mr. Obe’s compound to get the estimated cost of the leaking roof. On entering the compound, Mr. Agumadu was moved with compassion on Obe’s family. Miraculousy, Mr. Agumadu changed his mind from repairing the roof to building a befitting house for the family. The next morning, he swung into action in fulfillment of his promise.
In a space of six months, he built two units of houses for Obe’s family, one for Obe’s and the second for his aged mother. Mr. Agumadu did not stop at that as he equally dug a borehole and bought a generator set to power it.
On Sunday, the 1st day of November was the groundbreaking ceremony of the opening of the house and official handover to the family of Mr. Obe. The ceremony attracted the rank and file in Anambra state especially with the conspicuous presence of the deputy governor of the state, His Excellency, Dr. Nkem Okeke. Others present at the epoch event include the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye; the immediate past national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh; traditional ruler of Awka, His royal majesty, Igwe Gibson Nwosu; the deputy speaker, Anambra state of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hafford Oseke; the commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ifeatu Onejeme, another member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Okafor as well as other members of the Anambra State Executive council and the APGA family.
In his address at the occasion, which was filled to capacity that one would misconstrue the event as a political gathering, Mr. Agumadu attributed his humane gesture to God whom he described as his Lord and savior. The benefactor who stated that he would not want to comment much about the building as it was not by his making, stressed that without the grace of God which has always kept and sustained him, there may not have been something like that. He noted that his philanthropic gestures started back in 1996 while still in school. Mr. Agumadu disclosed that the passion to affect the lives of people around him drives him. He revealed that he is leaving a legacy behind which according to him is loving one’s neighbour as self. He posited that God has given wealth to the wealthy for them to bless people around them but frowned at what is obtainable these days. T.B Joshua of Awka as he is also fondly called, urged other wealthy individuals in the town and beyond to see their wealth as a gift from God that should be properly utilized in affecting the lives of people around them positively.
The dignitaries present at the event showered unending encomiums on the philanthropic gesture of Mr. Agumadu. The deputy governor, Dr. Okeke described Agujiegbe as a young man who distinguished himself amongst his contemporaries. He stated that Mr. Agumadu’s gesture is worthy of emulation describing him also as a good party man who is always ready to lay down his life for the actualization of the interest of the party. He urged him not to relent in doing his charitable work.
Chief Victor Umeh pointed that the benefactor is one of the true sons of APGA who is always ready to use his last kobo to move the party forward. He charged him to keep doing his good works and not be deterred. Also, chief Victor Oye noted that the benefactor has built a reputation for himself as a selfless and compassionate person living the APGA vision. He commended his kind gesture.
In his remark, the commissioner of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Onejeme described chief Agujiegbe as a young, humble person who does great things. He disclosed that through him, many young people in Awka and beyond have been gainfully employed or empowered. He disclosed that this singular gesture had moved him to tears while urging him to keep being himself, doing good to others.
The event took another dimension when different groups, organizations, friends and well-wishers took out time to present gift items to the benefactor expressing their appreciation for affecting their lives in one way or the other. The various groups and organizations include Keke drivers association, Shuttle drivers association, Task force unit in Eke Awka Market, Agulu Awka Youths, APGA ladies, Awka chapter, sectional leaders of Eke Awka market among numerous others.
Speaking to this reporter, the beneficiary, Mr. Obe who was dumbfounded at the level of magnanimity, rained prayers on chief Agujiegbe. “ I have never believed that someone can help a fellow townsman to this extent in Awka. My tears have been wiped away by his benevolence. I am forever grateful to God for giving me Chief Agujiegbe”, Obe said. When asked if any relationship exists between both, Obe stated that he is not in any way related to the benefactor. In his words, “We are not related. I met him at a burial around my place and decided to beg him for small amount of money to enable me repair my leaking roof which he promised to do. He later came to my house same day and what he saw moved him to pity and to my chagrin, he, there and then decided that he was going to build a house for me and for my mother”. Mr. Obe prayed for God’s continued protection and blessing upon his benefactor.
For the family of Mr. Emeka Onuora of Umuanaga village in the capital city of Awka, Awka South Local Governement Area of Anambra state, November 1st is a day that would ever remain ever green in the history of the family.
Mr. Onuora in all ramifications have seen, tasted and experienced abject poverty. Prior to an eye injury, Mr. Onuora was an artisan, whose income falls significantly below the poverty line. Married with little children, Mr. Onuorah lived in a house, which could be described as dilapidated with the roof leaking aggressively and begging for succor. Nonetheless, a beggar has no choice as his own aged mother lived in the same dilapidated structure with leaking roofs and peeling walls. Not only that the building was under threat of collapse, the family had little or no access to water nor electricity, no toilet as the family even in this 21st century still made use of the bush toilet system including the aged mother. The family’s peril could be best described as pitiable until a messiah came.
It happened on a fateful day at a burial at Umuanaga village, when Mr. Onuora popularly known as Obe ran into one of the wealthy young men in Awka, Mr. Emeka Jude Agumadu who also is the current chairman, Eke Awka Traders Association, one of the biggest markets in Anambra state. Obe, having nearly lost hope in life and had sought for financial assistance from relatives and got little or no assistance, braved up, defying all odds, pleaded with Mr. Agumadu to come to his rescue by giving him small amount to repair his leaking roof. Mr. Agumadu fondly called Agujiegbe or Baby Awka promised Obe that he would visit his house same day. In between the burial, Mr. Agumadu sneaked into Mr. Obe’s compound to get the estimated cost of the leaking roof. On entering the compound, Mr. Agumadu was moved with compassion on Obe’s family. Miraculousy, Mr. Agumadu changed his mind from repairing the roof to building a befitting house for the family. The next morning, he swung into action in fulfillment of his promise.
Chief Agumadu
L-R: Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, the beneficoary's mother, Chief Agumadu and the deputy governor, Dr. Nkem Okeke
In a space of six months, he built two units of houses for Obe’s family, one for Obe’s and the second for his aged mother. Mr. Agumadu did not stop at that as he equally dug a borehole and bought a generator set to power it.
On Sunday, the 1st day of November was the groundbreaking ceremony of the opening of the house and official handover to the family of Mr. Obe. The ceremony attracted the rank and file in Anambra state especially with the conspicuous presence of the deputy governor of the state, His Excellency, Dr. Nkem Okeke. Others present at the epoch event include the national chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Oye; the immediate past national chairman of the party, Chief Victor Umeh; traditional ruler of Awka, His royal majesty, Igwe Gibson Nwosu; the deputy speaker, Anambra state of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Hafford Oseke; the commissioner for Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Ifeatu Onejeme, another member of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Dr. Nnamdi Okafor as well as other members of the Anambra State Executive council and the APGA family.
In his address at the occasion, which was filled to capacity that one would misconstrue the event as a political gathering, Mr. Agumadu attributed his humane gesture to God whom he described as his Lord and savior. The benefactor who stated that he would not want to comment much about the building as it was not by his making, stressed that without the grace of God which has always kept and sustained him, there may not have been something like that. He noted that his philanthropic gestures started back in 1996 while still in school. Mr. Agumadu disclosed that the passion to affect the lives of people around him drives him. He revealed that he is leaving a legacy behind which according to him is loving one’s neighbour as self. He posited that God has given wealth to the wealthy for them to bless people around them but frowned at what is obtainable these days. T.B Joshua of Awka as he is also fondly called, urged other wealthy individuals in the town and beyond to see their wealth as a gift from God that should be properly utilized in affecting the lives of people around them positively.
The dignitaries present at the event showered unending encomiums on the philanthropic gesture of Mr. Agumadu. The deputy governor, Dr. Okeke described Agujiegbe as a young man who distinguished himself amongst his contemporaries. He stated that Mr. Agumadu’s gesture is worthy of emulation describing him also as a good party man who is always ready to lay down his life for the actualization of the interest of the party. He urged him not to relent in doing his charitable work.
Chief Victor Umeh pointed that the benefactor is one of the true sons of APGA who is always ready to use his last kobo to move the party forward. He charged him to keep doing his good works and not be deterred. Also, chief Victor Oye noted that the benefactor has built a reputation for himself as a selfless and compassionate person living the APGA vision. He commended his kind gesture.
In his remark, the commissioner of Trade, Commerce and Industry, Hon. Onejeme described chief Agujiegbe as a young, humble person who does great things. He disclosed that through him, many young people in Awka and beyond have been gainfully employed or empowered. He disclosed that this singular gesture had moved him to tears while urging him to keep being himself, doing good to others.
The event took another dimension when different groups, organizations, friends and well-wishers took out time to present gift items to the benefactor expressing their appreciation for affecting their lives in one way or the other. The various groups and organizations include Keke drivers association, Shuttle drivers association, Task force unit in Eke Awka Market, Agulu Awka Youths, APGA ladies, Awka chapter, sectional leaders of Eke Awka market among numerous others.
Chief Victor Oye cutting the tape
Mr. Emeka Onuora
Speaking to this reporter, the beneficiary, Mr. Obe who was dumbfounded at the level of magnanimity, rained prayers on chief Agujiegbe. “ I have never believed that someone can help a fellow townsman to this extent in Awka. My tears have been wiped away by his benevolence. I am forever grateful to God for giving me Chief Agujiegbe”, Obe said. When asked if any relationship exists between both, Obe stated that he is not in any way related to the benefactor. In his words, “We are not related. I met him at a burial around my place and decided to beg him for small amount of money to enable me repair my leaking roof which he promised to do. He later came to my house same day and what he saw moved him to pity and to my chagrin, he, there and then decided that he was going to build a house for me and for my mother”. Mr. Obe prayed for God’s continued protection and blessing upon his benefactor.
How a Philantropist Built and handed over two units of Houses to the Poor in Awka
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Tuesday, November 03, 2015
Rating:
Reviewed by Unknown
on
Tuesday, November 03, 2015
Rating:
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