From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
The women of Akpu community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State were in a festive mood as they filed into the magnificent compound of Chief Emeka Agba Sunday afternoon.
They came in their hundreds, clutching handbags as if they knew that they won’t go back empty-handed. And truly, they were not disappointed as the great philanthropist, Chief Emeka Agba, Founder, Chief Emeka Agba Foundation, the CEO of Agba Gold Limited and Tiger Base Global Ltd, Lagos really put smiles on their faces that day.
It was in commemoration of his 45th birthday and, according to Chief Agba, having passed through different stages to where God placed him today, it is worthy to always go back to his roots.
Items donated to the local women included cartons of noodles, bags of garri, tubers of yam and an accompanying cash sum to take home.
He said the gesture is in line with thanksgiving to God for clocking 45. He said such gestures have been replicated in Onitsha, Lagos, Jos and Enugu but he decided to bring it home in fulfilment of the maxim that charity begins at home.
While urging the women to be orderly shortly before the distribution of those items, he recalled the Biblical Miracle where Jesus fed the 5000 people with five loaves of bread and two fishes but the end result was a leftover of 12 baskets which he noted that the leftover happened because the people accepted the gift in the first place with faith and open heart while they also comported themselves properly during the sharing.
He kick-started the sharing with a prayer session, where he thanked God for the gift of life and also prayed for bountiful blessings on the people of his community.
Chief Agba prayed that God would raise more prosperous and charity-minded people from the community who will also put smiles on the faces of the women who converged in his house that day.
The beneficiaries were so happy that they not only sang songs of jubilation but also expressed their hearty appreciation in so many ways
Deborah Ibenta, an Evangelist recalled the excitement she had in her heart when she got a message that Chief Agba needed to see them.
“I heard the town crier’s announcement and I felt elated because it has become customary that one cannot enter Chief Emeka Agba’s compound and go back empty-handed. I just returned to settle down in the village recently and this was the first time my saw him face to face but his action towards us has justified the positive things I’ve heard about him. May God bless him for us” she said.
For Mrs Obiageri Okeke, it has always been moments of happiness whenever Chief Agba is around. She prayed that God will answer his earnest prayers without the hindrance of any sort.
Another beneficiary, Angelina Okeke, an Octogenarian was so excited that she burst into songs of praise to God. She prayed that Akpu people will not lack men in the calibre of Chief Emeka Agba.
Mrs Ifeoma Anyaene voiced out her heart also this way: “We are very happy to receive all these goodies from him. As we know that things are very costly these days in the market while people are facing hard times but he still had the heart to do this for us, may the almighty God bless him and refill his pockets in Jesus’s name “she prayed.
Another beneficiary, Francisca Onwukwe shared her experience last time Chief Agba feted them in the village
“There was no money in my house, not even one kobo the day he gave us cash envelopes. I was totally stranded and it was like a miracle and a practical answer to my earnest prayers to God. I was very happy and I know God who sees my heart will reward him positively. For his birthday, I wish him long life and prosperity in Jesus’s name” she also prayed.
Speaking in an interview, Chief Agba said that humanitarian gesture and empowering people remains the main thrust of setting up the Chief Emeka Agba Foundation.
At 45, he said he remains grateful to God for life and other accomplishments even as he declined to mention the cost of the items and cash he shared.
“In charity work, we don’t put a price tag on what we do in our Foundation. We try to touch lives without emphasising what it costs us to do such. Our concern is how to make life better for the people.
“Many Nigerian homes cannot boast of three square meals, many young and agile people have resulted to crimes and criminal tendencies with ritual killings taking centre stage as people resort to getting rich quick measures and there is no longer dignity in labour as taught by our parents.
“To address the Sustainable Development Goals, SDG 1, 2, 3, 4 and 17 of no poverty, zero hunger, good health and wellbeing, quality education, in the country, it is pertinent to address security challenges most Nigerians encounter especially the youths”.
“This was the concern that birthed the Chief Emeka Agba Foundation, a non-profit organization committed to addressing poverty and poverty-related challenges at the grassroots. We shall continue to do our best and to God be the glory,” he concluded.