I Floated My Charity Foundation To Immortalize My Late Mum – Ace Philanthropist, Onyinyechi Okenkpu
By EPHRAIM NWOSU
Businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist, High Chief Nelly Onyinyechi Okenkpu would always attract attention whenever she steps out. If it’s not for her charming beauty or classy style, it will definitely be for her charity works. The US based health expert known for her generosity and extended simplicity was captured at a ceremony during her recent visit to Nigeria and opened up on her passion and experience in the non-profit world philanthropy over the years. In this exclusive interview with Daylightng.com, Okenkpu who holds the reverred titles of Ezinwa Eji Aga Mba 1 of Umukabia Kingdom and Nwanyi Oma Eji Aga Mba 1 of Obiakwa also spoke on why she shies away from testing her popularity in active politics and her future plans for less-privileged in the society, among others…
Q-Can you briefly tell us about yourself?
A- I am Chief Nelly Onyinyechi Okenkpu. I hail from Umuagbom, Umukabia, Ohuhu in Umuahia North LGA of Abia State. I was born to Chief Benjamin Onwunarogu Okenkpu and Lolo Ihuoma Roseline of blessed memories. I had my primary school at Umukabia Central School before proceeding to Ohuhu Community Secondary School, Amogwugwu. Shortly after my secondary school career, I left for USA to actualize my childhood dream.
Q- You launched the Nelly Onyinyechi Okenkpu Foundation For Community and Human Development some couple of years ago, could you shed some light on this project?
A- The Nelly Onyinyechi Okenkpu Foundation For Community Development is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the less-privileged people in my community.The Foundation was established in USA in 2020 with the goal of improving the lives of ordinary people by assisting them in the area of healthcare and achieve a peaceful world in which people most especially women, children and youths live free of poverty, abuse and educational deficiency.
The Foundation has so far placed more than 35 primary and secondary school pupils on permanent tuition scholarships, we have donated trycycles (Keke Napep) to some of our youths in the community in order to create job opportunities for them as well as assisting individuals with financial empowerment to establish small scale businesses.Moreso, the Foundation visit orphanage homes and hospitals to help with patients hospital bills. Through the Foundation, we have visited over 2,000 kids at several charity programmes across Nigeria, USA and Canada with over 50 beneficiaries whose school fees are also being paid and their parents being empowered in various entrepreneurial skills.We don’t only donate to them but spend quality time with the children.
Q-How have you been handling the challenges of running this Foundation?
A- I have done a lot of charity works, from day to day, helping people, making sure people are alright, from my friends to my relatives, my community and even people I don’t know. Running a charity organization like the one I have and going through the strain of fund raising and philanthropy is not a tea party because it’s something I do with my money earned with blood, sweat and tears.Sometimes I receive hundreds of calls and messages every day from people seeking for one help or the other.It puts me under pressure to work extra hard, hence I work round the clock to make sure I meet up with the numerous challenges of the charity works facing me.
I am not complaining, rather, I thank God for providing for me.
Q-Well done Chief Onyinyechi, what inspired you to go into this charity project which you use to help the poor in your community?
A- I decided to float my Charity Foundation after the death of my mother on October 20,2014.She was a woman known across my village for her kind heartedness.She was my best friend and the most generous woman I ever know in this world.This was a woman who had a philosophy of striving to put smiles on faces of people around her.She hated to see her next door neighbour go hungry. I watched my mother sometimes when I was growing up, package some food items for our neighbours even when we didn’t have enough food to eat at home.
These are some of her legacies that inspired what I am replicating in the society today.Death can never stop me from celebrating my mother.
Q-What other fond memories of your mother can you recall?
A-My mother was a wonderful woman with a soft heart. She was a giver and a philanthropist.She loved going the extra mile to make people happy. She was so kind hearted to a fault that she was ready to gift her life. In fact, she was a mother to all the people around her. It’s generally believed by many who knew her that these are traits I inherited from her.I know she will be proud of what I am doing wherever she is.
Q-Would you say you are so far fulfilled with the aim of setting up this project?
A-Yes of course.I feel fulfilled because that is my life, that is what I’ve been called to do by my God even though at a point I wanted to dissolve the project because of what some ungrateful people say behind me.That will however not discourage me to continue the good work I am doing for my people. I am just very happy my wealth is in people, not money. When I try to impact on people’s lives positively, that makes me happy. The happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.
Q-Are you eyeing political office in Nigeria with all these your charity projects in the near future?
A- Like I said earlier on, my charity organization was set up in honour of my late mother and not because of political motive. But if for any reason, I find myself in the political arena in the near future, it would certainly be for the elevation and good of my people.Right now I want to be focused and more concerned with my charity work. It means more to me than anything else.
Q-You have been honoured with several chieftaincy titles by your community with the recent being an award from Umukabia Women Association (UWA) in appreciation of your humanitarian services to your community through your Foundation work. How do you feel about it?
A-I am deeply humbled. I am so proud and feel honoured to receive such a distinguished recognition from my community. It’s a testimony that they appreciate all what I have been doing for them. I remain grateful.
Q-What is your biggest treasure as a woman?
A-I will treasure motherhood and my community.Both have a special place in my heart.
Q-Your life seems to revolve around business and philanthropy, what other things excites you?
A- Apart from my business and philanthropy, personal hobbies such as traveling, golfing and cycling also make me happy.
Q-What would be your advice to young Nigerians who aim to be like you?
A-Your talent is not enough when you don’t work hard. With hard work, humbleness,
self belief and God’s grace you will achieve whatever you want to achieve. So when you are blessed with talents and you work hard it will always earn you success.
