Philanthropist builds house for less privileged in Enugu Community
By Alphonsus Ogili
Up until recently, many in Edem-Ani and Nsukka in general were not familiar with the philanthropy of High Chief Ikechukwu Samuel Asadu, an American-based medical practitioner from Ozala, Edem-Ani in Nsukka Local Government Area, Enugu State. But that changed when respite recently came the way of the family of late Mr. Simon Odome in Ozala, Edem-Ani as he built a modern house for the family.
Since the demise of late Mr. Simone Odome, life has not been easy for his struggling family as hardship occasioned by his timely death has made it very difficult for his family to improve their standard of living. Ever since then the family toiled from dawn to dusk for their survival. Sadly, it is still almost impossible for them to cater for the immediate needs of the family let alone repair the sagging roof of their old mud house.
But hope was revived when High Chief Asadu aka Ogadagidi, touched by Mrs. Odome’s anguish visited her family and promptly volunteered to build them a new house; a modern two rooms and parlour apartment. To the glory of God, the glamorous house was completed in few months, officially opened and ready for use.
To the glory of God and admiration of the people, the Director of Social Communications Commission, Nsukka Rev. Fr. Matthew O. Eze was among other clergymen who blessed the newly built house, praying for God’s blessings upon the philanthropist.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the philanthropist said the gesture is a sign of thanksgiving and appreciation to God for making him who he is today. He enjoined the youths of the community to emulate his dints of hard work and wait for God’s time rather than trying to get rich through fraudulent means. He urged other rich people in the community to join hands in the fight against poverty by helping the less privileged in the society, inviting all and sundry for his annual ceremony tagged; “Ogadagidi Day with Children of Edem” on 24th December.
The joy of the widow knew no bounds as he expressed gratitude to the philanthropist, praying God to bless him abundantly. The widow, who danced joyously at the event, took our reporters around her new house, describing Ogadagidi as an angel that visited her family at the right time. She said the philanthropist has wiped away the tears of many indigent families in Edem-Ani thereby spreading rays of joy in the community by his humanitarian gestures.
Meanwhile, some members of the community who spoke at the official opening ceremony described Ogadagidi as a great gift to Ozala, Edem-Ani, saying that such gesture is an exemplary conduct that should be emulated by all and sundry.
“It gladdens my heart that at a time when most of our public office holders are so engrossed with the embezzlement of public funds our Igwe-elect has completed several landmark projects in the community. He has become an angel of charity, preaching the good news that investing in the lives of the poor yields greatest interest for the society”, a villager elaborated.
High Chief Ikechukwu Samuel Asadu is the Igwe-elect of Ozala/Ogbogidi Autonomous Community as well as the “Onunekwuruoha 1of Ozala” village in Edem-Ani.
