A non-governmental organization, the Emeka Ikwuagwu Foundation (EIF) has unveiled “Operation No Ten Toes” scheme aimed at ensuring that no Abia pupil attend school barefooted. At the flagged off of the programme in Umuahia, the state capital, 600 indigent pupils selected across the state were presented with “Made in Aba” quality sandals.
Speaking at the event, the governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu commended the donor for partnering with the Vicar Hope Foundation of Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu to provide foot wears to indigent pupils in schools. Represented by his deputy, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu further commended the foundation for sponsoring 20 unemployed persons to learn shoemaking which he described as a great empowerment. Dr Ikpeazu urged other well meaning Abians to emulate the good gestures of Emeka Ikwuagwu’s foundation in assisting the government to meet the needs of the people and develop the state better. He urged the beneficiaries of the sandals benevolence to be committed to their studies while those been trained in shoemaking must exhibit passion and seriousness in learning the trade. The governor said that the state are proud of the sponsor for his various endeavors and empowerment programmes and urged him not to relent in bringing succour to the less privileged in the society.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Chief Ike Anyatonwu thanked the founder of the foundation for adding value to the governance of the state and expressed the readiness of his Ministry to partner with him and other Abians or NGOs who want to identify with the programmes of the present administration in various developmental endeavors in the State.
In his speech, the Chairman on the occasion, Navy Captain Chris Osondu (Rtd.) commended Emeka Ikwuagwu and the Vicar Hope for their well thought out provisions to the indigents which he noted would make great impact in their lives.
He said the action of the Foundations were targeted at supporting the governor’s works and policies especially in strengthening the small and medium scale (SMEs) sector Earlier, Mr Ikwuagwu in his address, said that he was motivated to engaged in the philanthropic gestures to the less privileged because of his experience in life, stressing that he knows the impact of touching people’s lives positively through empowerments.
According to him, the “Operation No Ten Toes” was aimed at stopping attendance of schools bare footed by indigent pupils in the State and that the provision of the sandals and training of people in shoemaking techniques were ways of supporting the governor’s campaign in promoting the ‘ Made in Aba’ products.
Among those honoured at the event include the wife of the governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Lady Vivian Ude Oko Chukwu with the Humanitarian Award, Hon. Uko Nkole represented by Chief Don Emeka Emeri, as the EIF Best Performing House of Representative Member, Chief John Okiyi Kalu, EIF Best Performing Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Ihejirika Azubuike (Rtd), EIF Lifetime Achievement, Hon. Chinedum Orji, Pillar of Empowerment, Comrade Ike Anyatonwu, EIF Champion of the Youths Award, Hon Ginger Onwusibe, EIF Best Youths Mobiliser among others.
