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There are two parts to every work of charity – the benefactor and the beneficiary. One person gives, the other one receives. The main essence of works of charity is the impact on the beneficiary, how the particular act positively affects the lives of the recipient and in some cases totally transforms their lives.
There is an unending debate whether benefactors should be visible, whether they should be identified. Some people are of the opinion that ‘givers’ should not be seen or heard so as not to demean the import of their work. These people believe that God almighty is the one that should reward genuine givers with heavenly presents so their taking earthly glory means that they have already taken their rewards here on earth.
However, there is an overwhelming evidence that recognizing benefactors propels them to do more. Meaning that they are able to expand their circle of influence by adding more persons to their ‘beneficiary list’. Publicizing humanitarian efforts also helps to remove the chaff from the wheat – it helps to identify and expose those who exploit persons under the guise of providing aid. These unconscionable people take advantage of the plight of the less privileged to further their selfish ends. There have been cases where unscrupulous elements suborn indigent persons with pittance in exchange for political loyalty or to recruit them to fight their personal battles.
Some philanthropists strive hard to work behind the lights. They silently and quietly go about impacting and changing lives without seeking anything in return from the beneficiaries. They try hard not to make themselves the spotlight but rather wish that the lives that are touched, the lives that are changed be the topic.
However, there is an adage in Igboland that you can’t cover a pregnancy with bare hands. Even as these persons try hard to ensure that they remain in the background, their charitable works are so profound that well-meaning individuals and organizations insist on celebrating them from time to time.
One of these men of means with a heart of gold in our midst is High Chief Stanley Chukwudi Obodoagwu who was last week awarded the National Achievement Award (NAA) for his philanthropy and immense humanity. He was also in the same week made Patron of the Police – Eagle Crime Awareness & Prevention Initiative (ECAPI) for his contributions in providing assistance to the police and other law enforcement agencies in fighting crime in the society.
High Chief Obodoagwu, popularly known as Ezeudo Gburugburu, is the Chairman and CEO of AkwaAmaka Group, a business conglomerate which includes AkwaAmaka Production Limited (media, music and film), AkwaAmaka Beverages Limited and Successful Stan Nigeria Limited (building materials, plumbing and electrical and real estate). He is a great philanthropist who has over the years pursued a lot of philanthropist endeavours, targeted at lifting the less privileged out of poverty and making the world a better place for all. He has committed substantial funds to various humanitarian causes and charitable organizations. His considerable investment in human capital has led to the mentoring and grooming of hundreds of youths to be self-sufficient and the creation of opportunities to those in need of a viable platform to thrive in life.
Through Light Givers Humanitarian Foundation, a charity organisation founded in 2019, which he wholly finances, the Ihiala, Anambra State-born business mogul has sponsored a private execution of community projects, offered free scholarships to many indigent persons from primary to tertiary level education, provided shelter for many homeless families and sponsored free health care projects. The foundation strives to promote love, save lives, improve global health, groom and mentor youths, and collaborate with other civil society and human rights organizations to alleviate poverty, health challenges, support education, improve living conditions of individuals and promote community development. The foundation with some partners has pledged to embrace and enhance humanity in diverse ways by consistent donations to philanthropy.
The awards and recognition presented to High Chief Obodoagwu is the latest in the long list of awards and recognitions he has received in the past. In the past one year, he has been awarded Medal of Merit by Time Africa Magazine, Community Development Award by the Rotary Club of Okpanam Hilltop amongst other awards. Light Givers Humanitarian Foundation was given an Award of Excellence as the outstanding NGO of the Year 2021 by Law Models Academy.
As a self-effacing philanthropist who strives to stay away from the limelight, Ezeudo Gburugburu, who also holds the traditional titles of Otigbu Inyinye na Akwa Ezikenyi and Ichie Okpata Ozuo Ora na Ihiala amongst other traditional titles, will likely regard these recent awards as a call to more service to humanity. Mankind will surely be better off for it.
