From a beggar to a giver: Eze Chika Nwokedi tells success story as he gifts 180 widows food items for Christmas.
By Onome Naomi
Eze Chika Nwokedi, the Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, Chairman of the Council of Ndieze Igbo Lagos, and President of the Ndigbo Buru’Otu Association of Nigeria, gifts about 180 widows food items to celebrate Christmas on Saturday, December 14th, 2024. Says he is thankful to God for uplifting his status from being needy to having enough to give to the less privileged.
The exercise, which took place in Eze Chika’s palatial residence in Ijegun, saw widows and widowers presented with rice in bags, noodles in cartons, some tubers of yam, printed clothing materials, namely Ankara, wristwatches, and other items, including cash. The annual event of gifting the widows and widowers is majorly to express love and support, as noted by Eze Chika.
Eze Chika also explained that he made a covenant with God during his period of crisis many years ago after experiencing poverty that if he becomes successful in life, he must feed the hungry and assist the less privileged as seen this day. Recounting his experiences, he told the audience that he had once begged for food to survive with no help or tangible support; he subjects himself to hard and manual labor, which leaves him with little or nothing to survive on. Encourage the widows to keep faith and hopes alive.
He told pressmen at the event that as an Eze, he’s inclined to make a difference in his jurisdiction of reign not to show off but to be intentional about favoring the less privileged; he says he begged to eat and slept in his shop in Ladipo for over 7 years until his status changed after facing rejection for lack of money and good clothes. Vowed to be a blessing unto others if God blesses him.
He further said:
“I feel inclined to give, after all I went through in the years of struggling, but today a beggar has become a giver.”
“I do not own an overly expensive car; when I’m aware my neighbor is hungry, I call that oppression. Live as large as you want, but make sure the needy feel your impact in their lives; never look down on them; they need help; just help them.”
“The wealthy who can afford to eat and live expensively should endeavor to give charity; do not give to the needy what you cannot eat in your house; show charity by giving scholarships to people’s children so that your own children will also do well in life. Many rich men gave their children the best, yet these children turned out to be non entities in life; moreover, when death calls, a man will be judged according to the work of his hands.”
“Whenever I give, I feel fulfilled; this will be the 3rd year of running the widows program as Ezendigbo Ijegun Ijeododo, which is created to celebrate not just the widows but also the widowers. They should eat, have merriment, and feel loved in cash, gifts, and kind. I am not the richest; I give according to my capacity.”
“Before Ezeship, I was usually inspired to provide for about 20-30 widows and widowers as much as I could in a year, but after enthronement, I added more persons from the community, amounting to over 150 widows and widowers.”
“When the time comes, I will write a book on the story of my life. Again, I am not soliciting funds from the public to advance the course of my foundation, but anyone who seems it fit to be part of my course can partner willingly with Eze Okpoko Chika Nwokedi Foundation.”
For Christmas, Eze Okpoko advised travelers to ensure safety, as he warns those who have ill intentions for Christmas celebrations against their family members or friends to desist from their plans; otherwise, they will be consumed by the pit they have dug for others.
A guest in attendance Comrade Prince Saviour Iche, founder of the Ambassadors of Peace and Enlightenment Foundation (Voice of the Voiceless Media), expressed his admiration for Eze Chika Nwokedi. He said the act of showing magnanimity to widows, widowers, and the less privileged is worth emulating. Eze Chika, he says, is a mentor respected for his actions, especially his charitable act; moreover, the exercise witnessed is a challenge to everybody, for there are more blessings in giving.
Iche mentioned that Eze Chika is not the richest, yet he keeps to his promise for the widows yearly; meanwhile, many who are rich would rather allow their food to rot away than distribute quality food to the less privileged. Says Eze Chika is his role model; his charitable prowess encourages us all to put more effort into magnanimity.
Widows seize the opportunity of media presence to express their wishes and prayers; some say they have been beneficiaries for many years, while some others mentioned that 2024 will be their first attendance but are happy with the opportunities gained. They were also entertained with good music, food, drinks, and take-home items.
Press men were not left out in the end-of-year package as Eze Chika Nwokedi gave food items and gifts as done yearly to appreciate his media friends.
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