The greatest necessities of all time for man has been the availability of food, clothing and shelter. The aforementioned has also remained man’s biggest drawback for many centuries. While men toil day and night to provide these basic necessities for his family, the continued global economic downturn has remained the biggest albatross for many homes especially in the developing countries of the world where per capita income is even below the poverty level. Feeding and clothing for most families has become such a luxury. The completing mix in the triplet which is shelter has gone beyond the reach of an average man or woman in our clime, that one would always consider him or herself lucky if after the end of the day’s toiling, he or she finds a place to retire to.
Perhaps, this explains the massive investment, the current administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in the housing sector. It is on record that Ugwuanyi’s administration has surpassed the efforts of the successive administrations in the housing sector put together within his seven year stint in the Lion Building. His desire to provide affordable housing to teeming citizens of Enugu State remained unmatched.
It is heart warming therefore to observe that many good spirited men and women are embracing the Ugwuanyi spirit to support other citizens of the state who may not even be privileged to acquire a penny for the many housing estates across the state.
It is in this instance that we must commend the spirit of a burgeoning philanthropist of our time, Chief Maurice Emeka Akueme. The latest of his many philanthropy was the provision of a brand new shelter to an impoverished widow in Nenwenta in Awgu local government area of Enugu State. The echoes of this latest gesture has refused to die down in view of the fact that the beneficiary has been afforded a new lease of life. The Biblical assertion that God remains the husband of the widows cannot be more truer than what God has used chief Akueme to actualize in the life of the wretched widow.
It is very worthy to underscore the importance of the foundation found by this large hearted philanthropist. It is through this foundation named Maurice Akueme Foundation (MAF) that the brand new house in question was presented to the widow and her seven children. The lucky beneficiary; one Mrs. Blessing Chukwuma was said to have been inhabiting an accommodation that could neither protect her and her children from the excruciating effects of the sunlight, nor the chilling cold of the rain before the intervention of such a rare breed called Chief Maurice Emeka Akueme.
The Akueme Foundation certainly did not consider the exorbitant bill involved in constructing a convenient shelter in such rocky and hilly area like Nenwenta before venturing into the project which finally ended in praise. .
In order to fulfill his desire of returning smiles back to the face of the forlorn widow, Chief Maurice Emeka Akueme after handing over the building’s documents to his beneficiary, furthermore, placed her on a monthly stipend of twenty thousand naira and enrolled her children into Maurice Akueme Scholarship Scheme. What a deed!
It was St. Theresa, the patron Saint of the poor who rightly asserted that the joy of living is in living for others. Chief Akueme’s good deeds in the lives of others is certainly giving him that innate joy and satisfaction. Certainly, he is a true disciple of St Theresa. In appreciation of his house gift to the widow of Nenwenta, the traditional ruler of Nenwenta Kingdom; His Royal Highness , Igwe S.I. Amah; Ezedioranmma 1 of Nenwenta and his cabinet rewarded Chief Akueme during the house opening and handover ceremony with the title; OJI ÛLO EME OGO.
Surely, Enugu can not be but in the hands of God.
Written by
Hon. Mrs. Bibian Anekwe
The Senior Special Assistant on mobilization and Empowerment to Enugu State Governor
Director General ( DG) ENUGU DI N’AKACHUKWU MOVEMENT
