By Ogochukwu Isioma
One of the most notable and philanthropic politicians from South-East, Chief (Hon.) Alex Ikwechegh, has turned plus one today 25th August. But unlike the past, the philanthropist is not marking the 41st birthday anniversary. Rather, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, popularly referred to as the “Nkuma Dike Ndigbo”, is dedicating the occasion to fallen soldiers and victims of banditry, kidnaping and other crimes against humanity in the country.
The Founder of Alex Ikwechegh Foundation and GrossField Group, said it was difficult for any rational thinking individual to celebrate anything under the current state of this country.
“We are alive and healthy while others suffer and mourn the loss of their family members due to the pervading insecurity plaguing all areas of the nation,” he said.
“I dedicate this day to the gallant soldiers that lost their lives yesterday while simply doing their jobs at the Nigerian Defence Academy. I dedicate this day to those faithful women who have lost husbands due to banditry.
“I dedicate this day to those children that have died in the hands of kidnappers and rapists on their way to school. I dedicate this day to those people going through serious challenging times. Our good Lord hears your cry and sees your suffering and shall surely deliver everyone.”
Chief Alex Ikwechegh’s past birthdays were marked with week-long philanthropic activities and benevolence including the traditional distribution of free fuel and kerosene to the good people of Abia. To mark his 40th birthday last year, Chief Ikwechegh embarked on distribution of free palliatives to Abia people, including donation of cash gifts to widows and other philanthropic gestures.
The great fans, supporters and followers Hon. Alex Ikwechegh command does not come as a surprise to any owing to his numerous projects and programs for humanity and nation building. He has remained the hope of several persons within Abia and across the South East.
Ahead of last year’s yuletide, as it has always been an old tradition for the Alex Ikwechegh Foundation boss, Hon. Alex donated items including bags of rice, cartons of noodles, fuel, kerosene and other palliatives to households and orphanage homes.
Chief Hon. Alex Ikwechegh, the ‘Nkuma Dike Ndigbo’, has through his Alex Ikwechegh Foundation, donated to the poor and carried out several philanthropic gestures across the country. His distribution of free fuel and kerosene has become an annual event in the whole of Abia state, a gesture which marks the philanthropist’s August 25th birthdays.
During the coronavirus-imposed lockdown across the country, the founder of GrossField Group embarked on free distribution of palliatives to the good people of Abia state. He also, through his Alex Ikwechegh Foundation, donated cash gifts and other items to widows in Abia and offset the hospital bills of many including a woman whose fingers were allegedly cut off by Fulani herders in the State.
Hon. Ikwechegh had in 2019 donated household items including mattresses, pots, buckets, food items and clothing to victims of police attacks in Ndiegoro, a community in Aba South local government area of Abia. Also not left out in Alex Ikwechegh’s numerous philanthropic acts is the former NEPA cash office in Igbere, which now wears a new look, following its reconstruction by the philanthropist.
In the area of security, because Alex Ikwechegh believes his people must be protected at all times, the Aba-born philanthropist has carried out donation of vehicles to several vigilante groups. As a lover of education, Hon. Alex Ikwechegh has thousands of students under his Alex Ikwechegh Foundation scholarship scheme, including pupils and students from Abia.
He singlehandedly reconstructed the Igbere Community secondary school in Igbere, Abia State, and has continued to donate millions to uplift the downtrodden and orphans in the society at every given opportunity.
