As part of efforts to guarantee generational wealth of indigent people in the state, an Anambra State businessman and philanthropist, Chief Ikenna Okafor, has promised to mobilise 1,000 billionaires from the state to invest $1 billion in the state.
The philanthropist revealed the plan after receiving an honorary degree of Doctor award in Entrepreneurial Innovation.
This was at a special convocation at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
Okafor noted that the purpose of the initiative is to shore up the economy of the state.
According to him, the people of the state have the capacity to achieve it within a short time.
The Managing Director of Keves Global Leasing Limited, an oil and gas company, said this is the time for those who have the resources to show concern about the suffering masses.
He said: “Anambra is blessed with many billionaires, but unfortunately we have been using our money in places they are not felt.
“There are things we will do and they will never be forgotten.
“I want to challenge 1,000 Anambra billionaires to bring $1 million each to invest in things that will bring about generational wealth for our people.
“Let’s not waste our money on drinking champagne alone.
“I will champion the cause.”
Okafor also enjoined the people of the state to shun ostentatious lifestyle at a time like this and conserve resources to help the less privileged in the society.
Declaring the special convocation open, the Chancellor of the university, Da Jacob Gyang Buba, the Gbong Gwom Jos, in his remarks congratulated the awardee, asserting that it was a merited honour.
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On his part, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Charles Esimone, said the choice of Okafor for the award was premised on his numerous philanthropic gestures, particularly in the area of education, where he had supported primary, secondary and tertiary institutions in Nigeria and beyond with infrastructure.
Esimone disclosed that Okafor singlehandedly funded the building of the ultramodern UNIZIK Business School and other projects in the university.
He also added that he sponsored the sports team of UNIZIK during the recently concluded South East Universities Game in which the university excelled.