FoundationEmpowers170Women,YouthsinDelta
Rebecca Ejifoma
Determined to raise the standard of living of Nigerians and improve their businesses, a philanthropist and CEO of GPC Energy and Logistics Ltd, Mr. Elvis Chukwudi Okonji, has empowered about 170 persons financially in Delta State through his Elvis Chukwudi Okonji Foundation (ECOF).
Okonji, a logistics expert, made the presentation at a ceremony to mark the UmuOlise Ugo Day, an annual cultural event, which held in Ibusa, Oshimili North Local Government Area in Delta State.
He said the gesture became necessary following the high rate of unemployment in the society. And this he accomplished through ECOF. “I still recall how I suffered before I got to this position in life”.
With a quest to reach essentially the widows, youths and mothers in the society, Okonji remarked, “I am not doing this because I have any political ambition or because I am the richest. I have a passion to improve people’s positions in life”.
According to him, he plans to have a meeting with the youths of Achalla and Eziukwu, Ikwelle and OnuDiokpa with the intention of
Rebecca Ejifoma
The Evangelical Christian Union (ECU) Alumni Fellowship has honoured 23-year-old First Class graduate, Oluwadunni Oni, with Distinguished Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding performance at the Nigerian Law School in 2019.
Oni, who graduated with Second Class Upper Honours, was among the top 10 students in her class. She proceeded to the Nigerian Law School, Yola Campus, for the compulsory Bar Part II course, where she graduated with First Class Honours and was awarded six prizes, including Best Female Graduating Student addressing some weighty issues on ground.
The CEO, meanwhile, sternly kicked against the sale of lands the youths are currently practising, adjudging that their ancestors never took that path even as he beckoned on Anyalobum community to be united.
Consequently, he saw the need to include the youths in his empowerment scheme. His idea was hinged on the need to have them become business owners. “It is the beginning of good things to come. Utilise this gesture with hard work, and bridge and the Second Overall Best Graduating Student.
Presenting the award at a reception for her, notable theatre Director and Author, Mr.AustinAwulonu, who is the President, ECUAlumni Fellowship, commended Oni, noting that she had done herself, her family, Ife, and of course, and E. C. U. Alumni Fellowship proud.“For the avoidance of doubt, Oluwadunni is a thoroughbred E. C. U. daughter. Her father was a member of the ECU Fellowship during his days as a student in Ife. In fact, he is a distant predecessor of mine having served in the same capacity I presently serve as President of E.C.U. Alumni Fellowship,” he said.
Awulonu continued that at the unemployment gap in our society”.
Having been in the banking sector for 11 years as a Senior Manager before opting out to establish his firm, the philanthropist expressed that integrity remains the watchword in a person’s life. He further urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money and establish their future.
Commending ECOF efforts on behalf of the community, Mr. Austine Nnabuife, an elderly statesman also expressed gratitude to the pioneer’s vision of creating job opportunities to mostly school leavers and a time when from the pulpit to the soapbox the country is bedeviled by do as I say but not as I do leaders; when youths are branded lazy and are left to navigate the labyrinthine paths of life; when opportunities for the girl child is at a costly premium in Nigeria; when righteousness is the last thing on the minds of many; when unemployment is eroding the motivation to reach for academic excellence among the teaming young population, “Oluwadunni stepped out to show us that we still can overcome by righteousness and dint of hardwork”.
He lauded further; “She went to the Nigeria Law School alongside some 5600 others. She saw, conquered, support to students in tertiary institutions.
“Over the years, Okonji has continuously and single handedly powered several empowerment programmes through Elvis Chukwudi Okonji Foundation in supporting and uplifting the down trodden in the community,” Nnabuife applauded.
He, therefore, called on well-to-do individuals in the society to emulate the footprints of Okonji and join hands with the government in contributing their quota to the development of the their communities. and returned victorious. She was the best female student in Civil and Criminal Litigation; best graduating student in Yola Campus; best overall female graduating student; and second best overall graduating student.”
According to Awulonu, success didn’t come easy. “Oluwadunni knuckled down to do the rigorous work that precedes success. Success never dropped on anybody like a bag of cherry out of the sky, no, success is the consequence of decisions made at opportune time.
“Our opportune time is now. As a nation, as institutions, as individuals what we make of today determines whether we would be celebrated tomorrow or denigrated.