People of Amalla community, Udenu local government area, Enugu state celebrated the New Year, 2023 on a new lease of life following the commissioning of a new road project in the area built by a philanthropist, Chief Emmanuel Odo ( Odogwu na Nsukka).
Odo, an indigene of the community is a business man based in Awka , Anambra State. The road project, 1.5 kilometres length, people of his community said has eased their pains and suffering and also connected them to other parts of the state easily.
Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who commissioned the road project praised Odo for imbibing the think-home-philosophy and supporting government efforts in opening up the rural communities.
Governor Ugwuanyi represented by the Chairman of Udenu local government area, Chief Solomon Onah reiterated his commitment in providing an enabling environment for forward looking and progressive private individuals to grow and contribute their quota to a greater Enugu state.
The road commissioning project also featured the dedication of Chief Odo’s country home in Umuegali village, Amalla.
With a retinue of about 15 catholic priests in attendance, Parish Priest of St. Theresa’s Cathoic Church, Efruoka, Amalla, Rev. Fr Cyracus Ugwuanyi who gave a homily during the dedication commended Chief Emmanuel Odo for using his wealth to bless his people.
Fr Ugwuanyi noted that Chief Odo belongs to the category of those who use their wealth to assist the church and not fighting the church in the guise of promoting culture and tradition.
“We are in a season of thanksgiving and it is God that gave Emmanuel Odo the power to make wealth, build his own and build for the community and it is just proper that he realised this and is returning the glory to God” the priest said.
Traditional Ruler of Amalla community, Igwe Patrick Eze popularly known as Alhaji Waziri said the community with two other autonomous communities created in Amalla with their traditional rulers never forgot Chief Odo’s noble gestures hence the reason why they all agreed to appreciate him with double chieftaincy titles of Onwanetiriora and Mmilinezoraoha of Amalla community.
“From the COVID-19 era interventions, empowerment programmes and construction of roads. Everyone who sees what the man has done will be happy to honour him in very special ways. We know our living condition before now and it gladdens the heart of the entire Amalla community that an orphan like him rose from the ashes to be a pillar of development and support to the community” Igwe Waziri said.
A Royal father, Chief Austin Ndigwe (Ike Obodo Awka) who moved all his cabinet chiefs from Awka to Amalla community to identify with Odo said he took that long journey because of Odo’s humane heart and positive foot prints in the sands of time.
“I’m in Awka because Amalla is in Awka. This is my home too because Chief Emmanuel Odo is one of my chiefs. I made him an Awka citizen and also honoured with a Chieftaincy title of Ugwumba of Awka for the numerous development strides he has done in our community, Awka. A lot of Awka citizens gained employment through his investments. That is why we moved the entire Awka Cabinet Chiefs, the first eleven of Awka community to this place to show him love” Chief Ndigwe said
In a chat with the celebrant,
Chief Odo recalled his humble beginning and noted that the whole scenario still looked like a dream to him.
“I started out as an apprentice trader who served his master for eight years. Some who see me now think that money just dropped from heaven but they don’t know that patience is a great virtue. After serving for eight years in Awka and was settled, I started my own with the meager resources and after about seven years I left for overseas but all those struggles didn’t pay. It was after I came back from abroad that through dint of hard work and prayers, I started small in the oil and gas sector before I established my own company and diversified into other businesses like the tricycle distribution with my partners from India, real estate, homes and properties among others.
On his motivation for philanthropy and community development, Chief Odo said he was moved to support government after looking at the devastating underdevelopment in his rural community of Amalla.
“Considering the plight of all in my village, I decided to take action to complement government efforts instead of waiting for everything from the same government.
Odo disclosed that Governor Ugwuanyi was very much impressed when he personally came on a private visit and to also inspect the road project.
“Governor Ugwuanyi was highly impressed when I visited him at the government house and informed him that I constructed the road. He assured me that though he was already billed to travel outside the state on the proposed day of commissioning of the road, he would visit me before the time. True to his promise, he came on 2nd January 2023 and was not only delighted when he came but he promised to extend the road project to connect the Amalla Old road and also stretch it to the boundary” he said.
Odoh appreciated all the guests who trooped from far and near to identify with him on the auspicious occasion and prayed that his noble gesture will mark a turning point and open doors for all youths in the area to blossom in their various endeavours.
His wife, Lolo Chinasa Odo advised the youths to take it easy, work hard and pray to God for divine upliftment.
Nollywood actress, Rachael Okonwkwo (Nkoli Nwa Nsukka) were among the guests that graced the occasion.
Nsukka Traders Association (NTA) Awka, an umbrella body of Nsukka people resident in Awka led by their Chairman, Chief Pius Asogwa said they were there in their numbers to show solidarity to a man who has always responded to their calls at all times
Chief Anayo Odo , a Benin Republic based bussinessman said any man of goodwill and conscience should appreciate any noble gesture of a man who does things with his heart without expecting anything in return.
Chief Ugochukwu Aronu who came all the way from Dunukofia, Anambra State said that Chief Emmanuel Odo who is his business partner has literally brought light and dispelled darkness in Amalla community and Nsukka zone in general.
Chief Edwin Onah (Amurunonyenaego of Nsukka) who identified with
Chief Odo advised all men of goodwill to think about community interest and see how to lift others so that wealth can spread in every community.