In recognition of his tradition of philanthropy, the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, has nominated industrialist and accomplished businessman, Arthur Eze, its Grand Patron. Correspondent, OKEY MADUFORO, writes on the earlier gestures of Eze and the build-up to the current recognition.
“How long do I have to stay in this mother earth? How many years do I need to stay in the world? What matters is how you have been able to impact positively on the lives of those around you. That is the memory that you would leave behind.”
These were the remarks of Prince Arthur Eze, Anambra businessman, politician and acclaimed philanthropist, at a recent outing in Awka, the state capital.
Standing before teaching and non-teaching staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka where he announced the construction of a dual carriage way to the institution, Eze and a certain medical practitioner had caused a stir that enchanted the audience.
Shortly after the occasion, a young man in his early forties rushed to Eze and introduced himself as Chike Mbanaso, a medical doctor.
Mbanaso, who hails from Mgbidi, in Imo State, had recalled how Eze’s education foundation provided him with scholarship from his first year in University of Nigerian Nsukka to his final year.
His benefactor, incidentally, never knew him nor had he seen him before. But while they exchanged pleasantries, more young men and women rushed in to express their appreciation over one favour or the other that they had enjoyed from him.
Literally lost in the crowd, the Ukpo, Anambra Prince, was virtually short of words. But he regained himself and composure. “Well to God be the glory, I have a foundation for the South Eastern Nigeria and I was told by my coordinators that over 2,800 persons benefitted from it and I do not know up to twenty of them”, he said.
One of the teachers who pleaded not to be mentioned, acknowledged the giving habit of the politician, stressing, “though I disagree with his brand of politics, I will give it to him that he is always there for the less privileged”.
At the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Nssukka Ituku Ozala, Enugu State, he made a donation of personal building a medical block with all the state of arts facilities in place.
Stories were also told of how two years ago at Amawbia, – Enugu Agidi junction in Awka capital territory, he stopped his convoy and handed over a huge sum of money to physically challenged Hausa-Fulani beggars asking for alms.
Dumb-founded by the volume of money involved, a friend of his, was said to have complained that the sum was too much for such low lives, but he retorted; “if you want that kind of money, become a cripple. These people need this money more than us.”
There were before now, tales of how during the Nigerian Civil war he walked through the war front to purchase relief materials and shared same to the war refugees in their respective camps without demanding any form of payment from them.
Eze’s philantopy, according to those closer to him, is more of a habit that he has cultivated over time.
Anderson Muoneke, Eze’s contemporary, narrated how, touched by the plight of his classmate whose could not afford school uniform for, he pulled off his own and handed it over to the poor lad.
Arthur’s reason was that he came from a Royal family whose parents could afford dozens of the said uniform noting that his classmate came from a humble background and could not afford same.
Apparently, on account of his accommodating spirit, his country home in Ukpo, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State, has turned a refuge to scores of physically challenged people including destitutes.
TheNiche learnt on good authority that they are fed on daily basis and clothed adequately by Eze, described by many in the locality as a man with milk of human kindness.
“This is why we address him as Ozo Igbo ndu (One that saves the Igbo in times of trouble). Some even address him as Igbo leader and a quintessential achiever”, said one of the beneficiaries of his largesse, who simply introduced himself as Nwaezeigwe.
Eze’s popularity resonates outside Igboland. The South East zone of Egbe Omo Oduduwa, had some years back accorded him patron of their organization in view of his philanthropic gesture to the Yoruba community in Nigeria.
In line with the tradition, the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, paid him a visit at his Ukpo country home and nominated him the Grand patron of the body.
According to the President of the Association, Ferguson Okpara “We are not talking about politicians, we are talking about Chief Author Eze, a man that has no barrier of religion, ethnic group or political interest.
“He accepted that position and even asked us to provide land for the construction of our Ultra-modern secretariat in Awka which we are on at the moment”.
“All the members of the association from the South East, South-South, South West, North East, North Central and the North West residing in Anambra State endorsed him as our great ambassador of peace across Nigeria”.
Okpara added that in May during the organisation’s first National convention, Eze would officially be handed the investiture as its National Grand Patron in a show of appreciation to what has contributed to the Socio-economic development of Nigerians and Nigeria as a country.
“Our association is one that cuts across all the tribes and ethnic groups in Nigeria and we intend to make a statement that wherever one finds him or herself in Nigeria, he is a functional member of the society that he or she belongs to”, Okpara told TheNiche.