By Eze Amaeshi
With its motto as, ” putting genuine smiles on people’s faces’, the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation which was established three years ago has actually lived, in all respects, up to the vision behind its establishment. The Foundation, according to its founder, Hon. Ekene Umunnakwe, was established as a response to the various challenges facing people in Owerri west LGA, especially in the area of health, with particular emphasis on eye- related issues. It is also active in promoting quality education and giving promising children a future and assisting indigent parents in paying the school fees of their children and wards. That is, awarding scholarship to indigent children and exceptionally brilliant pupils. A well structured organization, the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation has three areas of interest. The first is offering scholarship to pupils once every year to primary school pupils across Owerri west LGA. That is, many indigent parents are regularly relieved in the area of school fees. The second area of activity is organizing competitions in English language, mathematics and Igbo language for primary 3 pupils. The best 3 pupils are offered scholarship up to primary 6 and the Foundation undetakes their Common Entrance Examination registration. The third area of interest which is at the heart of the Foundation is free medical services, with emphasis on eye – related matters.
The success of the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation since its establishment has been largely due to the grace of God and the wisdom behind its structure. The organization has 3 functional departments, namely, administration, protocol and medical. While the administration takes care of logistics like transportation and mechanical issues, the medical unit has doctors currently working with the Imo state Specialist Hospital, Owerri. The members of the Protocol department go ahead of the team to arrange things before arrival of the team.
The Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation has done many other things in the area of poverty alleviation such as offering free transportation to everyone going to Owerri from Ihiagwa every Wednesday at a time there was scarcity of vehicles due to fuel prices hike. At this time also, 77 okada riders were given 4 litres of fuel each to ease their fuel challenges and make the movement of people easier. In September 2021, the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation also organized a one week free skills acquisition program for Ihiagwa clan youth at the Ihiagwa clan civic center. This availed many Ihiagwa clan youth the opportunity to learn skills in fashion design, beauty management, confectionery, graphic design, videography/ Editing photography, etc. This has greatly helped in youth employment and empowerment in Ihiagwa clan as many of them are now earning income from skills acquired, courtesy of the Foundation. Some youth who might have engaged in social vices are now engaged in profitable activities. Surprisingly, the funding of all these projects has been personal efforts and hard sacrifices on the part of the founder, Hon. Ekene Umunnakwe. Commendations and goodwill messages have trailed the activities of the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation which was started purely to alleviate the sufferings of the masses of Owerri west LGA without any other motive or agenda behind it.
The Welfare chairman of Umuezeala, Eziobodo community, Mr. Ejiogu Napoleon described the foundation ‘s free medical outreach in his community as ‘ very positive. It has helped many people. It is better than rice or beans, as health is next to wealth. We are happy ‘. Vice Chairman, ( Welfare), Umuezerokam, Nekede, Mr. Lawrence Anumudu stated thus: ‘ my people are happy and grateful to the foundation. Those that could not read can now read. This is the first time in our history. We are asking for more like Oliver Twist because we are happy. It was positive to our lives ‘. Hon. Charles Anozie, Chairman, Umukoto, Nekede, had this to say about Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation medical outreach in his community: ‘ this is the best thing that has happened to us. Eye problem is the worst ailment. The foundation treated more than 200 people and relieved them from going blind. You brought medical experts and professionals and have given more than 150 eye glasses. We are excited. This is the first time ever for us and all is for free.’ From Engr. Ikechukwu Odunze Allison, Welfare Chairman, Umuoko village, Dindi Ihiagwa: ‘ I have never seen this kind of thing before. It is first time for us. My wife is using the glass now. We received 200 eye glasses and had tests. You have done a lot for us. Even when there was scarcity of fuel, you helped students go to school by bringing buses to convey them. People are now testifying. I have pictures to support. It is not for politics.’ The Ohi youth Chairman, Kelechi Ibe described the philanthropic gesture as, ‘ great. We are grateful indeed ‘. The President- General of Oforola community, Chief Robinson Nwankwo also expressed the gratitude of his people at benefiting from the medical intervention by the foundation.
These remarks by the various community leaders of Owerri West LGA represent the overall euphoria that has always trailed the various interventions of the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation in their efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the people.
However, as should be expected, a faceless individual who is obviously intimidated by the rising profile of Hon. Ekene Umunnakwe and his overall acceptance by the people as one having their interest at heart, decided to turn light into darkness by hiring a certain local newspaper to discredit the good works of the Foundation that has truly brought genuine smiles to people. The hired newspaper agreed to be a tool in spreading lies that fake glasses were given out and unqualified doctors used. This newspaper owner failed to ask his paymaster for evidence that fake glasses and unqualified doctors were used. The newspaper did not even bother to go to the communities to investigate this allegation of endangering people ‘s health. For filthy lucre, the newspaper rushed to be a partner in unjustly working to pull down someone’s reputation that has been built over the years. In their story, this newspaper could not even provide a single evidence to substantiate their claim. This is not journalism. True Journalism is an instrument for societal development. Well, the people of Owerri West know better. Journalists should endeavor to verify their information before publishing. A Journalist in a hurry to collect gratification risks causing irreparable damage to an innocent person.
Nonetheless, I wish to state here that Hon. Ekene Umunnakwe who is today the APGA House of Assembly candidate for Owerri West state constituency had no political motive when he launched his foundation 3 years ago. His coming into politics today is only in response to the clarion call by the people of Owerri West LGA who are in need of someone like him that identifies with them in their daily struggles to make ends meet. They called out Hon. Umunnakwe because they know he is reliable, approachable, of impeccable character and has a track record of public – spirited activities. Hon. Ekene Umunnakwe is not deterred by the tantrums of idle minds. His love for his people is driving him on. Politics must be about issues and not character assassination. If you want to attack someone, don’t hide. Hiding makes you a fake.
Finally, let it be known that the Ekene Umunnakwe Foundation is a fully incorporated organization. The doctors working with them can be accessed anytime. The fake news bearer refered to staff of the Protocol department as the doctors working with the foundation. This is wicked. And someone calling himself a Journalist accepted this without investigation. May God help us to fear Him in all our endeavors. And may we not sell our conscience for a mere pot of porridge, as Biblical Esau did.
