By Don Peter Okoro
The President and Commander In Chief of The Armed Forces Of The Federal Republic of Nigeria,President Muhammadu Buhari has sent a Congratulatory Message to Rev. Dr. Austin Ifeanyi Epunam on the occasion of the celebration of his 60th Birthday anniversary.
The release which was signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity,Mr. Femi Adesina says in part:. “” President Muhammadu Buhari rejoices with the family, friends and relations of Rev. Dr. Austine Ifeanyi Epunam as the Social Worker, Businessman and Publisher clocked 60 years on October 29th 2022.””. Continuing the Release stated:
“”The President appreciates the grace of God upon the life of the Ndiakwu Otolo Nnewi Anambra State born Cleric, applauding him for his crusade in dissuading young people from illegal migration through his Non Governmental Organization, SweetHome Africa Foundation. “” President Buhari also lauds the commitment of Epunam to the crusade against Breast and Cervical Cancers, which he takes round the country and beyond.
“”As Epunam turns 60, the President wishes him renewed vigour in his enterprises and greater health and strength to serve God and humanity for a long time to come””. Speaking in an exclusive interview, Dr. Epunam who hails from the Epunam- Ukatu–Ezeogine Royal Family of Otolo Nnewi said that they have been involved in Community development through the SweetHome Africa Foundation which started in Hamburg Germany. He listed some of the Humanitarian activities of SweetHome to include giving Scholarships to Primary, Secondary and University Students for over 20 years now. In his words:
“” When I came back from Germany,I started a Tourism business, when I established relationship with the German Envoy in Nigeria. I established Zukky Travels and Tours Company Ltd, a multi-million naira Tourism Company. I helped people process their Travel Documents, their Visas,buy their Tickets and made sure they travel to a planned destination and that they have people to receive them over there. We have through our Foundation facilitated the traveling of not less than 30 people from Ndiakwu Otolo Community. We have their datas and photocopies of their Passports. And over 60 persons from Nnewi Community that we have facilitated their travels to European countries. It is like we opened the eyes of many families in this Community to experience a turnaround as their sons started sending hard currencies and started building mansions. We have also supported the elderly through Free Medical/ Cash Allowances and Foodstuff Disbursement. We have also contributed to the welfare and peaceful co-existence of the people of Ndiakwu Otolo. During their many years of crisis and factions, we were able to use our structure at the Nigerian Presidency through the Office Of the then Inspector General of Police, Sunday Ehindero to stop the arbitrary arrest of people especially the elderly ones. I have been able to get our people employed into different Sectors of the Nigerian economy through my contacts and connections with the Federal Government of Nigeria. We are a Non Governmental Organization,we are not into Party Politics.
We don’t attend Political Meetings or Campaigns, but we implore everybody to support our brother Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. I call him the Father of Charity in Nigeria. I remember when he was flourishing in the Oil and Gas Industry, most people in Anambra State enjoyed his wealth. But what is surprising me now is that in Nnewi Community we are antagonizing ourselves. We want to divide our votes. I have been in the Presidency for over 16 years, if you call Ifeanyi Ubah’s name in the National Assembly, he is a respected name. If you call the name in the Presidency, he is a respected name. Among the Captains of Industry, he is well known and highly respected.
He does his works diligently. Prof. Chukwuma Soludo once said:” If it’s not broken, why mend it.””. I’m calling on the people of Anambra South Senatorial District to support him. We should not divide our votes. And anybody who works against him is an enemy of this Senatorial District. That is my advice.””. On why he has so many nicknames like: Man of God, Jagaban, General, and so on, he replied: “” I guess it’s due to my many qualities which is by the grace of God. They call me man of God, because I have a human conscience and I have the fear of God. They also call me Jagaban, because I believe in empowement and carrying everybody along. They equally call me General, because of my strong belief in the Truth, my boldness and my fearlessness, no matter whose ox is gored, or whoever gets hurt, as long as I’m saying the truth. We rise by lifting others.Thank you.””
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