By Nze Dr Modesty Vitus Ezenwa
My sister , Hon Chief Lady Nkechi Ugwu is carrying out the 7th edition of her annual empowerment program on Saturday, 14th February 2026. 7 , in Igbo cosmology and metaphysics signifies wholeness and completion. She has really done the circle
What really struck me is the natural and effortless flow of Nkechi’s benevolence. Unlike many -politically motivated assists, Nkechi Ugwu’s philanthropy stands apart. She is not in the mold of others.
She was nothing in politics , seven odd years ago when she went public with this project. I am aware of some efforts she made to represent Ideato South LGA at Owerri before she was drown by the mighty ocean. But that flash in the pan wasn’t the motivation that birthed her unrelenting commitment to humanity. Nkechi was born into a family that lives by giving. She learnt generosity in the same way she learnt English Alphabets. Her parents imprinted in her heart , the love for the less privileged and ensured that she stays in touch with the anguish of her people. Our well respected leader has kept faith to the family tradition.
Nkechi is one woman whose empathy overwhelms. She keeps sleepless nights over other people’s agony, carries other’s burden on her head, cries when humanity sighs and goes extra miles to add joys and minimize sorrows. As a commissioner, ( of Happiness) , Nkechi plays the role of a mother and comforter in a traumatized Imo population.
It is either she is seen at Nigerian embassies in the neighboring countries working out freedom formular for trapped female teenagers or in the hamlets shouting and wailing over maltreatment of widows and the disadvantaged.
Lady Telma Nkechi Ugwu is the defacto First Lady of Imo State, a role she has played faithfully and humbly. She has given good account of herself – giving out what she is asked to give, saying what she is asked to say and doing what she is asked to do. She is simply loyal to her madam and to her inlaw, the Almighty Hope.
Nkechi is doing well at the moment. What she gives out yearly is not as big as what fully- blown- position targeting politicians give, yet, many attach more value to hers. Nkechi’s 1kg of rice stands above a 50kg and her coins weigh more starched pounds notes.
As Nkechi marks her 7th empowerment exercise this weekend, I pray that she continues to get strengthened by the prayers and wishes of her beneficiaries.
My sister Nkechi doesn’t gather people yearly because she wants their votes. Not at all. Her 7th empowerment exercise is rooted to the 1st. She is not our regular or seasonal politician. With or without political office, within or out of comforts , Nkechi remains the first daughter of the great Ekwuemeaku of Ntueke Na Ogwume. A tiger begets a tiger. A stingy man raises a stingy daughter.
We will be with Nkechi Ugwu on 14th February to share love! This is where we have been gathering in the last seven years. Apart from some splashes of paint on the walls, the venue has been the same. Nkechi hasn’t added a brick or placed a morsel of mortar on the building. She is not interested in ostentatious living, and hasn’t demonstrated the usual kleptomaniac outbursts. It is difficult to trace stolen funds to the residence of the Honorable Commissioner because there are No signs or traces. Is she smart? I don’t think so. Her boss, Dede Hope has all the spare keys of the vaults.
Nkechi is someone we pray to become bigger and bigger. And the Providence has made it so. She has kept rising ever since she started giving. Nkechi wants something bigger than what she has at the moment. She hopes to do more for his people if he lands something bigger . In her words -” Let my little gifts be received by you, for I will give more if I have more “. The gods of our land will execute her prayers. Nkechi will get something heavier . This is my honest prayer. She will do greater things for our people. She is someone that can be trusted with opportunities. IDEATO nation, behold your Amazon
Nze Dr Modesty Vitus Ezenwa, Duru ugwo Ejinna, Akwaa akwuru Umuobom , Oderiri Ntueke, Onyirimba Ihitenansa is the Ohuta Okara Mba Umuobom clan
