By Jude Onyenedogha
The house built for the traditional ruler of Umuonyeche Autonomous Community, Owerri Municipal Council by an indigene of Ihite/Uboma, Sir Chima Bishop Okereke has been commissioned.
Fielding questions from newsmen after the commissioning ceremony which attracted dignitaries, friends and members of both communitie _from Ihite/Uboma and Umuonyeche, Okereke described it as an event destined by God.
He said he got to know the traditional ruler through one of his friends, Mr Chima Okoronkwo, an indigene of Umuonyeche.
“On visiting his palace, I looked around and concluded that he deserves something better, considering his type of person. He is an upright person. He needs a conducive environment to administer justice to members of the community”.
He further described the project as ‘divine’ project, disclosing that he made the promise on 24th of May 2023, though the project did not start, until March 2025, and commissioned 24th May 2025, exactly two years after the promise, and just within two months of commencement.
Sir Okereke made it clear that his philanthropic gesture is well established in his community, LGA and zone (Okigwe zone).
He said, “I started from my community. This is not my first charity project. I built a house for my own Eze. I have built houses for widows in my place. So we didn’t just start from here, because we are very conscious of the fact that charity begins from home.
I and my wife founded Bishop Ekurume Foundation, we have built schools, we have given free education for every Ihite/Uboma son and daughter who makes it to the University, we always register JAMB for candidates, about 200 people every year”.
The benefactor further made it clear that his people were happy about the gesture that was extended to Umuonyeche community, even as he described himself as a son of Umuonyeche, with a citizenship certificate.
Adding his voice, the friend through which Sir Okereke got in contact with the traditional ruler, Mr Victor Okoronkwo expressed overwhelming joy at the development which was attracted by a visit to him by his friend.
I can’t stop appreciating God who used Sir Chima Bishop Okereke to do this wonderful work for my community. What he has done in my community will remain indelible, through generations of Umuonyeche community and beyond”, Okereke enthused.
The traditional ruler, in his reaction, described the development as a big challenge to members of his community, who he said are lagging behind when it comes to honouring their traditional ruler, adding that dedication of the house has proven the doubting Thomas among them wrong.
Contributing, a cousin to the benefactor, Prince Nnamdi Ihega, who expressed excitement over the development, said he will take a clue from his uncle, who has demonstrated that it is good to help people, to show generosity, even to people who are not your close relatives.
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