Philanthropist and Community Leader Builds Road in Edem-Ani
Edem-Ani, Enugu State – A philanthropist and community leader, HRH, Igwe Samuel Asadu (Okenwa Ogadagidi), has on Thursday, June 29, 2023, single-handedly kick-started asphalting of a road that was abandoned by the government for donkey years. The road, which leads to Edem-Ani and connects Edem-Ani to the neighbouring communities, had been in a state of disrepair for years, causing residents to suffer some inconveniences.
In the recent past, Edem-Ani has never witnessed good road, despite being the closest community to Nsukka town. During the last administration, the government of His Excellency Lawrence Ugwuanyi, through the World Bank Assisted Projects, did the earth work. The earth work was however, getting bad with every rainy season, thereby putting the road in condition worse than it was before the earth work.
In his speech, during the flag of the road project, the President General of the Town Union, Rt. Col. Emeka Ugwoke, thanked the Igwe for his kind gesture and urged the community to give him support by making sure that nobody constructs illegal bombs on the road, nobody blocks the gutters with refuse, no burning of tires or other objects on the road.
In his own, High Chief, Barr. Asogwa, (Agunecheibe) thanked every person that graced the occasion and made it clear that a committee will be set up to see to the maintainers of the road after construction.
Igwe Okenwa Ogadagidi, who is a successful nurse in the US and has businesses in many places, in his flag off speech, thanked the government of Enugu State, and made it clear that he has other projects for the community but they will be coming in bits. According to him, after the road project, he is going to look into the issue of pipe born water, empowerment of the youths and market projects in the community. He also called on Edem-Ani sons and daughters to look for a way of giving back to the community.
The construction of the road has been met with widespread praise from residents of Edem-Ani and surrounding communities. They are grateful to Igwe Okenwa Ogadagidi, for alleviating their suffering.
This is not the first time Igwe Okenwa Ogadagidi, is putting smile on the faces of his people, Edem-Ani community. Even before he was elected as the Igwe of Edem-Ani Ancient Kingdom, he donated a hospital to the community and is running a free treatment for the people. He is a lover of youths and always supports them; he sponsors any person from Edem-Ani who made first class to further his/her education abroad. He also sponsors the further studies of those who made second class upper in medical and some other designated courses. He has succeeded in putting street light in all the parts of Edem-Ani.
In line with bettering the society, Igwe Ogadagidi has also commenced repairing of dreaded Ugwu-Aje road. Filling of the terrible gully that has taken many lives and uncovering of the existing drainage system are ongoing. Worthy of note is that all the big guys in Edem-Ani are in support of this project. Some left their base to home to support the project. This is a positive development, as it shows that people are willing to take actions to make their communities better.
Igwe Ogadi’s act of kindness is a reminder that there are still good people in the world who are willing to help others. It is also a reminder that we should not rely solely on the government to solve our problems. We can all make a difference by taking action ourselves.
Emmanuel Asadu