By CHARLES IWUOHA

A philanthropist and business mogul, Prince Arthur Eze, has donated the sum of N100 million to the apex Igbo Socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Confirming the donation, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, said Prince Eze made the pledge while speaking to an assemblage of Ndigbo at the Imo State Government Lodge, Asokoro, Abuja on July 10, 2023.

According to Ogbonnia, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Atlas Oranto Petroleum Ltd, lamented that Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by one of the most brightest and pre-eminent amongst the Igbo, a highly revered icon in Nigeria and an accomplished titan in business, Chief Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, should not be stressed by funding Ohanaeze activities from his pockets.

"Iwuanyanwu has paid his dues to the Igbo in diverse ways beginning from the war times,” he said. He commended the development agenda espoused by Chief Iwuanyanwu on how Igbo land could be transformed, using the Igbo natural endowments and creative potentials.

According to the statement, the donation was due to lwuanyanwu's visionary and dynamic style of leadership of Ohanaeze since he assumed office as the President-General of the apex Igbo body.

He assured that he, (Eze), would continue to lend support to the Iwuanyanwu-led executive of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

“The Arthur Eze trajectory is an inspiring testament to the biblical injunctions of charity; and an admonition to the uninitiated scarcity thinkers that limit their horizon to self-satisfaction. In other words, kindness is like a treasure stored in heaven; it not only multiplies in quantum, it also resists the rust and tarnish of even the least charitable amongst humans.

“Similarly, a good-spirited businessman has also donated a set of seats to Ohanaeze Ndigbo National Secretariat; another prominent Igbo son provided a space for Ohanaeze when we were in Lagos on a visit to the Alaba tragedy.

"Yet another businessman hosted us to a dinner and some others. The former Governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Okorocha, started a gigantic project at the Secretariat. The list of all the benefactors will be made public at an appropriate time.

“While we wait for the day of reckoning, Ohanaeze cannot withhold an immense gratitude to the Governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for his relentless support to the organization. Iwuanyanwu recalled that while Uzodimma was in the Senate, he was the only Igbo Senator amongst his colleagues that looked the way of Ohanaeze.

“The Ohanaeze has tried to cope with a peculiar paradox that owes quality service to the entire Igbo, while only a few considers it a duty to support the organisation.

“The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, is very delighted with Engr. Arthur Eze. He qualified him as a trail blazer; a worthy Igbo son who is always actuated by a deep sense of empathy, affection and an over-flowing kindness; and that he, Arthur, has served as a safety net for the vulnerable for a long time.

Ohanaeze prayed for Prince Arthur Eze and asked that heaven’s light may continue to cast its shade on him and that the guardian Angels may encompass his days.

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