From Okuzu Umuezegbogu
A Philanthropist, Iyom Irene Anibogwu, has donated wheel chair, cell phone and monetary pack to retired LT,Col. Samuel Ufondu, a 73-year old, Biafran war veteran whose leg has been amputated.
In the same vein, Anibogwu said she had also uplifted no fewer than 70 widows of Okuzu Umuezegbogu village in Oba, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state with over a million naira, to turn around their lives for good.
The philanthropist,who disclosed this in an interview with journalists on Friday in in the village said her gesture was to enable the benefiaries,who were rural based start off small business for self reliance and for the social and economic development of the area.
Anibogwu enjoined the women to use the money to engage in entrepreneurial endeavours capable of making them economically reliant, adding that through their small business, they could become employers of labour.
The Iyom said that since the beneficiaries were rural dwellers, they would have less bills to pay for utilities and as such,have some financial resources to engage in small business to fend for themselves and their dependants.
Anibogwu, a native of Umuezegbogu,but married to Chief Austin Anibogwu, the Traditional Prime Minister of Obosi community;said she was moved to support the widows.
“The economic effect of COVID-19 pandemic is worrisome and I felt that my maternal home should enjoy from my little palliative, to cushion the effect of the Coronavirusvirus challenges,” she said.
Miss Charity Nwabsm, who represented Anibogwu at the occasion,advised the women concerned to make utmost use of the money to fend for themselves.
“ Women are more organised and positioned to succeed in all their useful endeavours, because the care of the home is always at their heart as they strive to develop their skills for betterment of society,” she said .
Widows who have stroke namely: Mrs Irene Obi, Esther Okeke , Obianauju Okafor Philomena Obodoekwe were also given medical items in addition to monetary support.
Mrs Nkoli Samuel, one of the beneficiaries,commended Anibogwu for the gesture and urged other rich women to emulate her footstep.
Mrs Nnonye Obi, another beneficiary, promised to utilise the money and training garnered so far in building her businesses and agriculture for self sustenance.
Mr Basil Emmanuel, one of the kinsmen in the community, called on the state government to make provision for the care Biafra war veterans, adding that aged,they should not be left to the mercy of the relatives or friends alone.
“Ufondu was a great soldier who assisted the community and it’s environs during the war time in the provision of food materials, giving protection and getting useful information that helped to keep many people safe, today is helpless,” he said.
The Reporters, an online publication,reports that Mrs Janet Ufondu, 96 years old mother of the Biafran war veteran, also urged the state government and community leaders to always remember those who served the state and community at their young age, when they were very old or in need.
