ENUGU PHILANTHROPIST, ANTHONY UDE EMPOWERS 144 INDIGENES OF IHE IN AWGU LOCAL GOVT

Enugu-born philanthropist, ANTHONY UDE, has officially launched the Dike N’Ihe Foundation and its inaugural bursary and empowerment award programme, providing financial support to 144 indigenes of Ihe in Awgu Local Government Area, comprising 59 students in tertiary institutions across the country and 86 less privileged individuals.

In his speech, the founder and executive chairman of the foundation, ANTHONY UDEH, said that the foundation was established in memory of his late mother, MGBO-UDEH NWADILIBE, who was known for her generous nature but passed away in the peak of her life at the age of 40, and his father, UDE-NWADILIBE ONUORA, who passed away at 106 years old.

During the event, which took place at the Umuonyia Village Square Enuguechi, Ihe, UDEreflected on the difficulties he encountered during his childhood after losing his mother at a young age, explaining that these hardships served as motivation for him to give back to the community and contribute to the well-being of those who had shown him kindness and support, ultimately enabling him to achieve success in life

In his remarks, chairman of the occasion, CLETUS EKOH, highlighted the significance of charity and its rewards, and encouraged community members to embrace the culture of good communal life for a better society.

In an interview with newsmen, the royal father of the day, Igwe M.A.O IBEZIAKOR of Enuguoke, Ihe autonomous community, represented by CAJETAN OKOYE, commended UDE’s generosity and urged the award recipients to work diligently to achieve the expected outcomes.

In his speech, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor MARTIN ANIKWE,described the gesture as a rare opportunity, encouraging the recipients to remain steadfast in ensuring they make the community proud, while the National President of the Federation of Ihe Autonomous Communities, SOLOMON ANICHUKWU, stressed the importance of hard work and discipline, urging beneficiaries to shun cultism, drug abuse, robbery, and other vices.

One of the beneficiaries, GIFT CHUKWU, expressed her gratitude for being a participant in the initiative and offered a heartfelt prayer for God’s blessings upon the sponsor who made the opportunity possible.

Urban Radio correspondent, BLESSING UNACHUKWU, reports that the event, which took place over the weekend, featured the presentation of cash awards to recipients and was attended by community leaders, friends, and members of the twelve autonomous communities that make up Ihe town.