A Lagos-based business mogul, Prince Chris Odinaka Igwe, has donated N5 million to the Abia State government as part of his contributions to helping the state combat coronavirus and its devastating impact.
The Isuochi, Abia-born philanthropist presented the cheque of N5 million and other health and food items Wednesday to the Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, Chairman of the Abia State Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID-19, in his office at Government House, Umuahia.
Other items which Igwe donated through the charity arm of his organization, the Chrisnak Friends’ Club (CFC), include testing kits, hand sanitizers, medical facemasks, and other necessary equipment to the Abia State COVID-19 Inter-Ministerial Committee, as well as 2, 000 cartons of Indomie Noodles to be given out to the indigent across the state as relief efforts during the initial lockdown period.
Igwe, represented by the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Okey Igwe, also said that he has set up a department in his upcoming industry at Owaza to produce facemasks, hand sanitizers, among other items, to enable Abians to imbibe a healthier lifestyle while the products would rake in revenue for the state.
He said bringing the Owaza industry was his cardinal objective as it would offer Abia youths job opportunities, stressing that CFC would continue to invest in youth empowerment and employment. “The foundation has before now invested hundreds of millions as the ultimate panacea against social insecurity,” he explained.
Apart from the cash donation and other items, Igwe said that CFC would be “collaborating with local government authorities throughout Abia North to devise workable mechanisms to educate and sensitize the public on ways to minimize the spread of COVID-19,” adding “we will continue to sponsor grassroots sensitization efforts in order to educate Abians on how to abide by World Health Organization (WHO) and National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) sanctioned health protocols.”
He assured that CFC was prepared to commit its “manpower and resources to make sure that this pandemic does not ravish Abia”
Igwe said he was spurred to make the donation because of the critical time Nigeria, nay Abia, has found itself, insisting that it was not appropriate for any good-spirited citizen to sit on the fence.
“We are presently living in perilous times: the marauding Coronavirus has adversely affected the world and has left governments begging for help and hoping for miracles. In times like this, citizens often look up to their leaders for inspiration.
“It is, therefore, imperative on true citizens to rally round their governments at this moment of need for the general welfare of the citizenry. In line with this, and as a true Abia son, I have directed the implementation of the above measures through the Chrisnak Friends’ club (CFC),” Igwe said.
Receiving the donations on behalf of the Abia COVID-19 Committee, Barr. Ezem commended Igwe for the kind gesture.
“Let me start by expressing the appreciation of government for this very thoughtful idea of our brother and friend, Chrisnak, for coming out with his support towards government efforts in the area of COVID-19,” Ezem said.
According to him, Abia State has not recorded any COVID-19 infection till date but was taking every measure possible to put things in place in the event that the case was recorded in the state and assured that the donations would be judiciously used.
