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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
The Holy Bible in the book of Galatians 6: 7&9 said, “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
“And let us not be weary in wellingdoing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not”.
The scriptures above quoted, struck a strong chord in Umuahia, the Abia State capital last week when three communities in Ibeku land gathered to honour their great son and a philanthropist, Prince Benjamin Benedict Apugo, Ochiagha/Oparaukwu Ibeku who they said has remained to them everything a philanthropist should be.
The communities are Ndume, Emede and Amuzu Ukwu Afarata, Ibeku, all in Umuahia North Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, Chief Michael Ogbonna, chairman, Council of Elders, Ndume, Ibeku stated they came to thank the Ochiagha for what he has been doing for them, saying Prince Apugo is like father to all Ibeku people.
“He is a great philanthropist, he built houses for many of our people, he has given scholarship to our children in higher institutions, and also given some people money to start their businesses.
He equally commended Apugo for securing jobs to many of their children, despite the fact he is not in government.
The President General, Emede Ibeku Development Union. Chief Ugochukwu Emmanuel Ibe speaking, disclosed they decided to honour Prince Apugo for what he has been doing for their community in particular and Ibeku clan as a whole.
“Few months ago, he gave us N5m for the renovation of our hall and so many other things he has been doing for the community.
“Gully erosion nearly cut our village into two, it was through his singular effort that government came immediately and reclaimed the the land which made access to our community possible now.
While disclosing it was their people both at home and in the Diaspora that mandated them to honour Prince Apugo,
he prayed God to give the Ochiagha Ibeku long life laced with good health to enable him continue his good works for humanity.
On his own, Chief Chuks Ukaegbu, President General, Amuzu-Ukwu, Afarata, Ibeku, described Prince Apugo as a great philanthropist who has through his benevolence touched positively the lives of many in Ibeku land.
“There’s no other way we can pay him back than the honour we are giving him for the good things he has done and continues to do for us and we wish him well.
In unison, all who spoke said Prince Apugo has for the past 50 years among others, spent several millions of naira in sponsoring their new yam festival and said by so doing, has place the map of Ibeku land on the world map.
Responding, Prince Apugo expressing gratitude to the communities for deeming it necessary to honour him, added that whatever he had done for humanity was his own way of bettering society.
While reminding the people that the Igbo tradition and culture abhored evil, he regretted that modernisation has done a lot of harm to the people’s culture and tradition which he said contributed immensely to the vices prevalent in society today.
He advised the elders to always show the youths the good path of life, which could be achieved through reconnecting with the culture and tradition of the land. This, he said, will help to checkmate the societal vices among youths.
“It is unfortunate that some of the traditional rulers who are supposed to champion this course are encouraging the ills plaguing the society, by instigating some of their subjects cause problems in the villages, so that the matter could be brought to them for adjudication to enable them to make money. I believe that the Otti administration will look into this”.
Apugo told his people that he will appeal to Governor Otti to ensure that Umuahia, the capital city, is expanded by opening up more areas. He expressed gratitude to Otti for the award of contract for the construction of a stadium complex in Umuahia, saying it will go a long way in developing the city. He urged Abia politicians to rally round the governor to make the state a better place.
Talking politics, Prince Apugo said, “I am of the All Progressives Congress (APC), but I really don’t like what they are doing.
“We, as a people, are not going to gain anything from the President Bola Tinubu administration. I must not hide my feelings, after all, at the party level, we are on the same pedestal. Tinubu is a member of the National Caucus and Board of Trustees of the APC, and I am, also.
“I must say we in Abia have not seen anything from his administration. Based on that, I will advise the Igbo leaders not to be afraid of the EFCC or ICPC, and go with their brother in 2027”, Prince Apugo added.
