Inside Nigeria
Onwugbenu: philanthropy and service to the needy as lifestyle
…
From Christian Chime, Onitsha-Nigeria
Jan 3,2019
Some men were born great, while others had greatness thrust upon them. So goes the popular saying. Yes, that could be said of Sir Louis Carter Izuchukwu Onwugbenu, a quintessential Nnewi-born international businessman.
He rose through intense hardwork and uncanny perseverance from what could be described as local toddler six decades ago, to an international business executive and household name that has etched his name in the golden sands of time today through honesty, charity and philanthropy.
Certainly it wasn’t easy at all. Because Onwugbenu’s life has remained weaved very tight around service to God, humanity and industry. The virtues he said were inculcated in him from the cradle by his mother-Mrs Cecilia Onwugbenu (aka Omakaa) and priests who he was sent to live with, before he ventured into local trading.
That like a mustard seed in 1972, it took just five years for him to blossom into an oak of business success by 1977, through vending of multiplicity of whatever wares he considered to be in high demand at any point in time. He had shuttled between his Nnewi base and under the Carter Bridge market at Idumota, Lagos Island weekly.
Speaking yesterday at the annual get together of the beneficiaries of the Louis Carter Scholarship Foundation which he set up about five years ago, Chief Onwugbenu expressed deep joy that the beneficiaries of the scheme were doing excellently well in their academic works. He used the opportunity to announce the admission of new set of beneficiaries and the adoption of two sets of quadruplets and quintuplets respectively into the education foundation and welfare scheme.
The new arrivals now brought the number of beneficiaries to about one hundred fifty(150). They cut across nursery, primary, secondary and tertiary school students, as well as seminarians-priests in training. The foundation also carry out welfare programmes like clearing hospital bills for indigent patients, welfare of some priests, the aged, invalids and the sick.
He went down memory lane of life’s journey, how he started from a humble beginning and his late mother’s everlasting role and deep impression in his life. That it was his mother and the resident Catholic priests he lived with and served as a growing young boy that ingrained in his heart the love for charity. The love for those in need, especially now that he has enough resources to share with them. And to ensure the sustenance of the programme, Chief Onwugbenu decided to formally establish and funded a foundation to carry on the good works even on a wider and stronger spectrum. For it to serve and touch the lives of more needy young men and women.
He commended those that have graduated, and said he was delighted that their superlative academic performance had remained great morale booster to him. He admitted that coming from a humble background, whose inability to go further in his educational pursuit in life was inhibited by inadequate resources his generosity towards others, especially scholars has never been curtailed by age. Instead, it manifested more, making him appreciate the need to give back to the society.
Counseling members of the foundation, he said he was raised to be God-fearing and charitable in words and deeds, and had impacted same in all of his children.
That from an early age, his parents had nurtured and imbibed the solid foundation for an undying love for others and faith in God in him. And having lived and learnt under the tutelage of the early missionaries, who brought and propagated Christianity in Nnewi, service to God, humanity and philanthropy have remained his lifestyle. This truly showed in every step of his growth, from ‘altar boy,’ ‘mass-server’ and a regular face at the Uruagu unit Block Rosary.
Onwugbenu said that he drew inspiration from the bible Psalm 128, which says: “Blessed are those who fear God and do His will, for they shall reap bountifully.”
Announcing the latest members of the foundation including a set of quintuplets-4boys and a girl, named Akachukwu, Chiemelie, Chidiomimi, Chinweolu and Ezinwanne.
Onwugbenu who is popularly called “Okpata Ozuora” -meaning, wealth that is extended to all; had at their birth in a relatively unknown God’s Mercy Maternity Home, Obiuno-Otolo, Nnewi picked the huge medical bills of the quintuplets born to a 40-year old Keke operator Mr Abuchi Odo-Ezugwu and his wife, Ndidi, 30.
A man of few words, Chief Onwugbenu, an ordained Papal Knight who was holidaying overseas in the United States of America (USA)along with his family when they were born on July 27,2018 had told journalists on the phone that he loved babies, and would have loved to receive them personally.
So, besides undertaking their medical bills and announced their instant adoption into his education foundation upto university level, Chief Onwugbenu announced a global scholarship for the babies. He also adopted an earlier set of quadruplets delivered July 14,2014 by an-Awka-based 30-year old housewife from Awuda-Nnobi, Mrs Chiamaka Eze Udenyi.
Mrs Eze-Udenyi, an unemployed 2009 graduate of Microbiology from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Uli had burst into songs of praise amidst tears, praising God for their benefactor for his kindness and love for her family especially the children.
She said she was so relieved and overjoyed when the great philanthropist intervened in their matter, pointing out that his intervention not only saved the lives of the children but her own too. More so that he has continued to be by their side till date. And has just announced their adoption as part of his household and that their scholarship has now gone global. That both sets are now covered to study in any university in any part of the world.
The
Nnewi high chief’s life of philanthropy has remained amazing, limitless
and seeming inexhaustible, with the donation of a three-storey building
complex to St Louis Primary School, Uruagu-Nnewi. And Testimonies
abound of how the businessman has truly touched the lives of those
around him, irrespective of tongue, tribe or creed.
In
their anniversary address, an undergraduate and one of the leaders of
the beneficiaries of the Foundation, Mr Arazu Chigozie reiterated that
the foundation started in 2013 with 43 students-20 university
undergraduates and 23 secondary school students. But that it has so far
grown to about 200 beneficiaries. He described Onwugbenu’s philanthropic
zeal as having root far deeper than those of contemporary
philanthropists. That he has been constantly dedicating his time to
proving to the world that the poor economic situation in the country
which leaves many with low standard of living added to the easily
observable institutional dysfunction need not be a barrier to an
enlightened future. They presented special anniversary songs,
traditional dances, mock newscasting and dresses.
The
management of the foundation in their message read by Mr J. Ifejiaka
presented a glorious graphic picture of things, from inception. They
also introduced a beneficiary of the scheme, Mr Ike Chukwuemeka who made
First Class.
The
management urged all the students to gird their loins for harder work
and better performance in their academic works, as a way to encourage
the benefactor. They described him as one among many, who uses his
resources to uplift the less privileged around him. That so far, five
seminarians have joined the foundation.
Rev
Father Alphonsus Okonkwo who led the anniversary church service held in
Onwugbenu’s estate at Ndi-Ojukwu, Uruagu Nnewi charged citizens to drop
all the bad experiences of 2018 and to count all our blessings. To
carry the good experiences across into the new year.
He
admonished everyone to cultivate the attitude of sharing with others
what we have, no matter how little as it goes a long way in ministering
to their needs and situations. The priest described Chief Onwugbenu as
radiating the benevolence of his late mother. That giving is in the
family.
I recently expressed my concerns about the arrest and subsequent detention of Godwin Emefiele, the suspended Governor of the Central Bank. It is important to note that my views on this matter are objective and unbiased.
The Department of State Services (D.S.S) has officially charged Emefiele with various offenses, including illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, criminal breach of trust, incitement to violence, criminal misappropriation of public funds, economic sabotage, economic crimes of national security significance, and undermining security.
However, despite being granted bail by the court, there were incidents where security operatives openly fought to re-arrest him. Due to my history of speaking out against our nation’s problems for many years, I refrained from writing about it as it felt futile. Speaking out on such matters exposes one to unnecessary security risks. Nevertheless, I am compelled to share a few words due to this case’s circumstances.
During former President Buhari’s first term in office, Nnamdi Kanu was arrested and released on bail but later re-arrested in an attempt by the government at that time (which failed to present a solid case)to diminish his influence. The government failed hopelessly over and over again to prove a case against him as they held him indefinitely.
What the government does to Nnamdi Kanu differs significantly from my understanding of justice. Government security operatives are holding Nnamdi Kanu inhumanely. During my last visit to Abuja when his brother, wife, and lawyer paid me a visit, I was informed about Nnamdi Kanu’s inhumane conditions. While I may have had conflicts with Nnamdi Kanu before, the government has yet to prove its case against him; he should be released. Igboland needs peace. The man should be allowed back home unless the Federal Government is content with the prevailing security situation in Igboland.
People should not be detained indefinitely; they should only be charged when sufficient evidence exists for a successful prosecution. It is crucial to treat individuals as human beings regardless of their circumstances. This viewpoint would apply equally if anyone were detained for an extended period without any clear conclusion. The unnecessary chaos involving Nigerian security forces, the executive, and judiciary branches makes Nigeria look like a Banana Republic, and we can do better.
While I am not a lawyer and cannot provide legal analysis on this matter, considering the charges and the unfolding drama, this case presents significant challenges for the government in obtaining a guilty verdict. Additionally, one might question whether he would have been detained if there had been no difficulties for Nigerians in obtaining new Naira notes.
While many of my followers may believe he deserves punishment, I kindly ask you to view this matter objectively. Many people think Bola Tinubu wants to punish him because he was against his candidacy. We are watching closely. The charges against the man might arise from a personal vendetta, suggesting there is more to this situation than meets the eye. The available information accessible to the public is limited, and everyone must pay attention.
Emma Agu, alias AlahBama, writes from New York City.
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A corps member identified as Princess Odume, was on Monday arrested by the Akwa Ibom police command for the murder of a yet-to-be-identified man.
The young woman, who is said to be a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, was stripped naked by neighbours of the victim who caught her trying to skip the fence with a machete.
The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, Odiko Ogbeche-Macdon confirmed the victim was the alleged murderer’s lover.
He also said, “The police are investigating. The police have her in custody, she committed the act, but as I speak, an investigation is ongoing as to how and why she did it.”
A House On The Rock pastor, Adeyinka Akinbami(61), lost his life to COVID-19 on Friday, the 8th of January, 2021.
The Senior Pastor, of the church, Paul Adefarasin, urged Nigerians to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols.
“Yesterday (Friday), I received the rude and shocking news of someone deeply dear to me and all of the HOTR family. The passing of Pastor Yinka Akinbami has become most painful because if there truly were good men, he was certainly one. To my brother, sleep well till we meet to part no more.
“Family, kindly allow me to solicit your intercession for his dear wife of over 30 years; Pastor Tolu, his children, his children-in-law, and grandchildren. We can only at best imagine how much pain they are feeling. We share the pain of his loss but they will feel it a lot more.
“It’s important to remind the community about the deadly nature of the COVID-19 and its mutant virus strains. Please do your part by following all the recommended precautions. That way, you are able to protect yourself and others who become proximal to you. God bless and keep us all”, Adefarasin Tweeted.
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