Governor Nwifuru gave the commendation during the 2025 annual thanksgiving and empowerment programme of the Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate- Senator Peter Onyekachi Nwebonyi which was held on Sunday, January 5, 2025 at St Michael’s Catholic Parish, Mbeke Ishieke, Ebonyi local government area of Ebonyi state.
Addressing the mammoth crowd, Governor Nwifuru eulogized Senator Nwebonyi for his relentless drive to offer effective representation to his constituents noting that he has been at his country-home, Mbeke Ishieke for three consecutive times to flag off empowerment programmes of Senator. He equally lauded his robust legislation, vibrancy and irrepressible mien which enabled him to make history as the first senator to move a motion at the maiden plenary of the 10th Senate.
Governor Nwifuru equally charged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the items in order to create wealth rather than selling them off in the market. He stressed that all the beneficiaries are indebted to Senator Nwebonyi and must work for his second term bid or incur the wrath of God adding that it is naturally wrong to work against your benefactor.
The tripartite event was kick-started by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese- Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu with the blessing of a three bedroom bungalow built, furnished and donated to a blind widow- Mrs Elizabeth Nwedoga by Senator Nwebonyi at Nkumoro Ishieke village in Ebonyi local government area. Very sad indeed that all the children of Mrs Nwedoga are also blind including his first son- Mr Okechukwu Nwedoga.
While commissioning the house, Bishop Chukwu recalled that Senator had requested the Diocese to nominate one indigent person each from the four LGA’s in Ebonyi North Senatorial zone who will benefit from the building. The Bishop noted that they painstakingly nominated those who truly need the house without considering political party affiliation or kindred dichotomy. He stated that out of the four houses spread across the zone, 3 have been completed and commissioned while the 4th one is nearing completion.
The Bishop lauded Senator Nwebonyi for using his position to serve God through charity and prayed God to bless and keep him.
Mrs Nwedoga who could not contain her joy prayed God to reward Senator Nwebonyi in million folds. Meanwhile, the Senator who also donated food items and cash gifts to her family assured of his continuous support to them.
The second part of the event was the celebration of Holy Mass by the Catholic Bishop of Abakaliki Diocese- Most Rev. Dr. Peter Nworie Chukwu. In his homily, he juxtaposed the event with the biblical records of the three wise men who set out to visit the infant Jesus with the symbolic gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh noting that by giving to the poor, Senator Nwebonyi had indeed gifted it to our Lord Jesus Christ. He commended Senator Nwebonyi for combining charity with philanthropy and urged other leaders to borrow a leaf from him.
The grand occasion reached its crescendo by the official commissioning of the empowerment items by the Executive Governor of Ebonyi state- His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru and its subsequent distribution to the beneficiaries amid cheerful ovations.
In his response, Senator Nwebonyi appreciated the Governor for his unflinching support which has enabled him to post some modest achievements as a senator. He explained that 20 mini buses, 20 keke tricycles, 120 motorcycles, 200 grinding machines will be distributed to the beneficiaries and N200,000 business grants to each of the selected 50 indigent women across the zone.
While reacting to the commissioning of the three bedroom bungalow built for the blind widow in Nkumoro Ishieke village, Senator Nwebonyi stated that charity has been his stock-in- trade even before he became a senator because he believes that the best way to serve God is by giving to the underprivileged ones. He insisted that it gives him immense joy to plant hope where there is no hope adding that he has built over 90 houses for the needy across his Senatorial zone.
In their separate speeches, some of the beneficiaries including Ekene Ede, Mrs Rose Nwuzor, Mr Chukwuma Ogbonna thanked Senator Nwebonyi for his kind gestures and promised to make judicious use of the gift to create wealth for their families.
The event was attended by the Senate President- Senator Godswill Akpabio who was represented by the Senate Minority Whip- Senator Osita Ngwu, the Governor of Benue State- Rev. Fr Hyacinth Allia represented by Ado local government Chairman- Godwin Oche, the Senator representing Ebonyi Central Senatorial district- Senator Ken Eze and other National Asssembly members, the Speaker of Ebonyi State House of Assembly- Rt Hon. Moses Ije Odunwa represented by his Deputy- Rt. Hon. Chinedu Onah, the retired Chief Judge of Ebonyi State- Justice A A Nwaigwe, the Principal Officers of Government and State Executive Council Members among other important dignitaries.
Romanus Uzor Ozioko
Special Assistant to the Senate Deputy Chief Whip
( Media and Publicity)
January 7, 2025
Post a Comment