NJOKU MACDONALD OBINNA
It was the Noble Laureate— Prof. Wole Soyinka— who posited that; “Human life has meaning only to that degree and as long as it is lived in the service of humanity. For humanity is infinity.”
On the brand New Year— Thursday, January 1, 2026, at his Obi Udo Palace — High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu (Onowu Anara) —turned a quiet New Year morning into a scene of hope and relief. As part of his yearly humanitarian outreach; a social responsibility, selfless community services, and burden which God had laid in his heart since 2017, to always reach out to his people and make them start the new year with smiles, everyone was invited to his palatial country home to wine, dine, and smile home with gift items.
Just like in the previous years, this time, about 3000 bags of rice were distributed across the six Local Government areas of Imo North Senatorial District; comprising: Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano, Onuimo, Okigwe, Ihitte Uboma, and Obowo with 200 bags allocated to each of the LGAs to support vulnerable families, and also extended to a number of community leaders.
At the palace, about 1, 200 residents from Isiala Mbano and acrosss other communities in Okigwe zone attended the annual food palliative distribution. These beneficiaries were not only given bags of rice, but were also well fed, creating an atmosphere of care, community, and celebration.
The event drew attention and admiration, including the presence of His Royal Majesty, Eze Dr. Amb. Chukwudi Jude Ihenetu (Ezeigbo Ghana), Secretary of the Imo APC, Greg Madu, all APC LGA chairmen in Imo North Senatorial District, APC Okigwe zone, who all joined in recognizing the significance of the humanitrian gesture of the Isiala Mbano born real estate mogul and respected community leader, Ejiogu.
The initiative, executed under the Mike Ejiogu Foundation, also had support from the special guest of honour of the day— Princess Chika Hope Uzodimma, younger sister to the Governor of Imo State— who contributed ₦2 million to support and strengthen the distribution. Together, they ensured that the giving was meaningful, targeted, and transformative for the communities of Imo North Senatorial District|Okigwe zone.
Speaking with the Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters during a breakfast meeting at his Obi Udo Palace in Anara, Isiala Mbano LGA, Imo State, High Chief Duru Mike Ejiogu emphasized that leadership is measured not by titles or wealth, but by the lives you touch, the hope you spark, and the burdens you ease. His annual distribution is not a one-off act of charity, it is a commitment, a promise, a tradition of care that he has faithfully upheld for 7 years, and still counting.
For the beneficiaries, the New Year annual distribution of food palliatives, was a lifeline, one event they earnestly look forward to. For the wider community, it was a reminder that compassion can move mountains, even one bag of rice at a time. And for High Chief Ejiogu, it was another affirmation that true leadership is felt in hearts and homes, not just in offices or boardrooms.
Njoku Macdonald Obinna
Media Consultant|Newspaper Columnist|Public Analyst|PR- Expert
Publisher, 4th Estate Reporters