By Ovat Abeng
In the studied attempt to arrest food crisis in the country, the JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation, a non-profit, charity organisation founded by a philanthropist, High Chief JohnBosco Onunkwo, has kicked off her intervention programme by sharing free yam seedlings among beneficiaries shortlisted for the first phase of the programme.
The programme which will directly benefit 500 persons after the second and third phases of distribution, took place at La Villa Resorts & Hotels, Ngozika Housing Estate, Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Saturday.
The event attracted All Progressive Congress (APC) party big wigs, women, youths, cooperative society farmers, and people from the grassroots across the 21 local government areas of the State.
Speaking shortly after the commencement of the programme, High Chief JohnBosco Onunkwo, a two-time guber aspirant of the APC in the State, stated that his humanitarian organisation, the JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation has been in existence for a decade, helping humanity the much he can, using his hard-earned resources.
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“Election or no election,” he remarked, “my philanthropic works continue.
“Over the years, we have intervened in areas of health, education, youth empowerment and community development services but this time around, we decided to think agriculture as it is the only way to wipe out the ravaging food crisis and hunger in the land. That is why we started the distribution of yam seedlings, as part of our agricultural intervention.”
Also speaking, the Zonal Chairman of APC Anambra Central, Chief Augustine Muomaife (Uduakommili), appreciated High Chief JohnBosco Onunkwo for his philanthropic gestures in the state from 2016 till date, and urged the beneficiaries not to relent in the yam cultivation, in order to achieve a maximum result. “For whom much is given, much is expected,” he added. He also advised them to share the some tubers among their neighbours after harvest.
In his speech, Hon. Philip Nwatu representing the leader of Ifediche Cooperative Group lauded the benefactor for his ingenuity and benevolence at this critical period and prayed for more blessings over his endeavours.
On behalf of Women Wing of JohnBosco Onunkwo Foundation, Hon. Mrs. Amaechi Nwobu, also thanked High Chief Onunkwo for easing the burden of many homes and farmers in the state.
She used the opportunity to encouraged women to invest more in agriculture, stating that agriculture is the only option to reduce rising cost of prices and hunger in the land.
It was gathered that the second phase of the yam seedlings distribution is scheduled to be held in Aguata Federal Constituency in the next few days.
