By Izunna Okafor, Awka
Former Special Adviser to Ex-Governor Willie Obiano on Political Matters, Chief Oseloka Ogabido (Ichie Edom Nnabuenyi Edom), has described Anambra philanthropist and businesswoman, Dr. Lady Loretta Ukeji, as a rare humanitarian asset whose selfless commitment to humanity qualifies her for greater leadership responsibilities.
Chief Ogabido’s assertion came against the backdrop of another massive yuletide empowerment and humanitarian outreach organized by Lady Dr. Loretta Ukeji, which turned into a scene of overwhelming joy, gratitude and emotional outpouring as hundreds of women, widows and indigent persons benefitted across Anambra State.
The latest event, which held over the week at the open field of the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity, Onitsha, is one among the long list of philanthropic and empowerment programmes she has sustained consistently for over fifteen years and still counting.
Over the years, the periodic empowerment programmes have directly and indirectly supported, uplifted and transformed thousands of beneficiaries, reviving the hope of many households both within Anambra State and beyond.
As usual, items distributed during the event included bags of rice, cartons of noodles, salt, wrappers, sewing machines, foodstuffs, tissues, drinks, soap, attachments, and financial support, among many other valuable items carefully packaged to meet both immediate and long-term sustenance needs.
Reacting to the gestures, Chief Ogabido, who confirmed these in an interview with this reporter, Izunna Okafor, on Monday commended Lady Ukeji for what he described as uncommon consistency, deep compassion and sacrificial dedication to lifting the downtrodden with her personal resources.
He applauded the benefactor for consistently funding such massive humanitarian interventions and philanthropic outreaches with her personal resources, describing her sustained impact on women and vulnerable groups as worthy of both public recognition and institutional encouragement.
Chief Ogabido, while expressing admiration over how the philanthropist has continued to invest heavily in human capital development for more than fifteen years now and still counting, despite not being in government, confidently opined that such a personality would do much more and even greater if given any political opportunity.
Although he acknowledged that Lady Ukeji might not have started embarking on philanthropic works for political reasons or with any political undertone, he, however, attested that people with such humanitarian hearts usually perform excellently when entrusted with public responsibilities, given their proven selflessness and dedication to the service of others.
According to Chief Ogabido, people like Ukeji should be encouraged to step into leadership positions both to afford her the platform to impact more lives and to serve as a source of motivation and inspiration to other well-to-do or kind-hearted individuals out there who are touching lives or making impacts in the society with their resources.
“This is a woman who has demonstrated capacity, compassion and consistency. If given any political opportunity, she will do wonders. People like her should not be discouraged from leadership spaces,” Chief Ogabido stated, while also calling on government to see how to genuinely partner or work such humanitarian champions of proven character who are breaking new grounds in social development.
Earlier speaking at the event, the benefactor, Dr. Lady Loretta Ukeji of the Ejison Group of Companies, expressed gratitude to God for life, good health and the grace to continue touching lives, even as she reaffirmed her commitment to humanity.
Lady Ukeji, popularly known as Adadịọramma, described the empowerment as part of her lifelong covenant with God to always remember the poor, the vulnerable and the forgotten in the society. She said the programme was specifically designed to reduce hardship, put smiles on faces during the festive season and remind the beneficiaries that they are not alone.
Speaking on the inspiration behind her benevolent gestures, the philanthropist, who has been hosting and sustaining these programmes for over one and half decades with her personal resources, explained that her passion is deeply rooted in compassion, gratitude to God and her desire to use her success to lift others. She noted that wealth only finds true meaning when it becomes a tool for service.
According to her, giving has always been her lifestyle and not an occasional act, stressing that every woman empowered becomes a doorway to empowering a home, a family and a community at large.
She further noted that although successive governments of Anambra State, especially under the present administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, have continued to demonstrate commitment and make visible efforts aimed at improving the lives of the masses through various people-oriented policies and infrastructural developments, the government alone cannot shoulder the enormous responsibility of catering for everyone. This reality, Adadịọramma said, underscores the urgent need for private individuals to rise and complement government’s efforts in touching lives and reducing hardship within their own capacities, which she described as her personal contribution to collective development.
While emphasizing the importance of love, unity and peaceful coexistence among Ndị Anambra, Lady Ukeji also urged the beneficiaries to see whatever they received not as mere gifts but as seeds meant to support, strengthen and reposition them for a better future.
The vibrant and kind-hearted Amazon further encouraged the women and beneficiaries to remain prayerful, hardworking and hopeful, assuring them that times may be tough but never permanent. She also promised to continue standing with them through future empowerment programmes.
Lending his voice, the husband of the benefactor and Chairman of Ejison Group of Companies, High Chief Dr. Sir J.I. Ukeji, commended his wife for her consistency in humanitarian service and described her as a rare gem whose heart genuinely beats for humanity.
The Oraukwu-born business mogul praised the discipline and patience of the women over the years, urging them to make fruitful use of the support given to them.
Dr. Sir Ukeji, popularly known as Ọzọigbondụ Global, reminded the beneficiaries that empowerment only becomes meaningful when it is productively utilized to improve lives and create sustainable means of livelihood. According to him, the greatest joy of giving is not in the act itself but in the impact that follows. He further stressed that societal transformation must begin from homes and families, while also expressing optimism for greater and brighter days ahead.
In their separate reactions on behalf of others, some of the beneficiaries expressed heartfelt appreciation to Lady Ukeji for remembering them once again at a time many families are battling severe economic hardship. They testified that the empowerment came at the right time, even as they prayed for God’s continued blessings upon the benefactor and her household. They also pledged to put the items received into good use and remain ambassadors of goodwill in their various communities.
This reporter gathered that the Sunday, December 7 event also attracted clerics and some outstanding personalities, including the CEO of Franklin Marbles, Chief Franklin Anazodo; and Chief Ogo Ekunie (Onataludikenma), among other dignitaries.
More photos from the event:
