Ohaneze Youths to Honour Philantropist, Umeh over N.3bn Scholarship Grant to Abia Students

By Praise Chinecherem

Leadership of youth wing of the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide has commended philantropic and humanitarian gestures of the Founder of Unubiko Foundation, Chief James Umeh, especially in the area of education and infrstructural development.

Umeh, who hails from Abam in Arochukwu, Abia State, had during a thanksgiving at the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria in Atan Abam, officially flagged off a N300million scholarship grant for Abia students.

The media guru, who is the Publisher of THE WHISTLER, was on the 26th of December, honored with the chieftaincy title of Omeroha (I) of Ovukwu’, after he handed over the newly commissioned Onyerubi Comprehensive Secondary School, Ndi Oji Abam.

He had also in December, 2022, pledged N250m for the rehabilitation of the school to improve the learning condition of students in the dilapidated and badly equipped school.

At the chieftaincy title conferment ceremony, Umeh pledged additional N10 million naira for fresh projects in the community.

The acting National Youth leader, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu in a commendation letter he personally signed on behalf of Ohaneze Ndigbo youths said Chief Umeh represents the ideal capacity and resilience, expected of Igbo youths in supporting the development of their homeland.

According to him, the huge investments he has made and continued to make in the development of his community and Alaigbo in general, totally aligns with the calls made by the Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, led by Engr Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, MFR, OFR, CFR, (Ahaejiagamba) for Igbos to think home and support the growth and economic emancipation of the Southeast region.

He also acknowledged that the philantropist has garnered both national and international recognition, evident in the recent 2023 Gani Fawehinmi Impact and Integrity Awards (GFIIA), confered on him by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre for his philanthropic works.

The letter addressing Chief Umeh, read; “We at the Ohaneze Ndigbo youths, recognize and appreciate the numerous efforts you are making to better the lot of your people and Ndi Abia in general. These are no mean feats.

“What you have done in the area of education will ensure that the children of the poor will acquire the quality knowledge he or she requires, to level up with their rich counterparts. The benefits for Abia State and indeed Alaigbo in the near future can only be described as amazing.

“We also felicitate with you on the recent encomiums and honors bestowed on you by various groups and communities for your humanitarian works. These are well-deserved.”

The Ohaneze Ndigbo youths leader, Okpalaezeukwu also disclosed that the Igbo youths have resolved to honor Chief Umeh, with an Award of Gratitude and Motivation in a no distant time.

“This award coming from Igbo youths, is to express our gratitude for what he has done and then motivate him to do more,” he added.