By Victor Nwegede
Founder of the Regina Pacis Foundation, and Chairman, EDON Group of Companies, Arc. Edward Nkwegu, has restated his commitment to driving genuine charity initiatives focused on building capacity rather than fostering dependency across communities.
He made the pledge during the 2025 Regina Pacis Foundation Annual Thanksgiving, held on Thursday at his country home in Okpuduma Agbaja Village, Izzi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, marking the foundation’s 21st anniversary.
Addressing guests, Nkwegu said the foundation had deliberately chosen what he described as the “narrow gate”—a path of discipline, integrity, perseverance, and faith.
According to him, true progress lies in self-sustenance, not in waiting for external salvation.
“‘One day’ is the sweetest lie we tell ourselves—it has killed more dreams than failure ever could. Life doesn’t wait. Time doesn’t pause. But once we realize that no one is coming to save us, we discover that the power to change lies within,” he said.
Nkwegu emphasized that this year’s theme, “The Narrow Gate: Striving for the Quality of Heaven and the Path of Self-Sustenance,” reflects the foundation’s longstanding values.
He described the 21-year journey as one defined by impact rather than numbers—widows feeding families, youths shaping their futures, and children reclaiming their dreams. Quoting Matthew 7:16, he added, “By their fruits you shall know them.”
He urged stakeholders to invest in building people, not just projects, stressing that the narrow gate “tests endurance, integrity, and love.”
Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Rev. Fr. John-Paul Nwankwo, reaffirmed that the foundation was established to uplift the less privileged. He eulogized Bishop Peter Chukwu of the Abakaliki Catholic Diocese for gracing and officiating the thanksgiving Mass, describing his presence as a blessing to the event.
Nwankwo extolled Nkwegu as a “dogged humanitarian,” applauding his unwavering passion for transforming lives. “His benevolent spirit is commendable. His willpower to touch lives in a mega style is superb. We urge individuals and organizations to emulate him,” he said.
Ebonyi State Governor, Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru, who graced the event as special guest, commended Nkwegu for sustaining the foundation for over two decades. He encouraged individuals and groups to embrace thanksgiving as a way of honouring God’s benevolence.
Nwifuru described Nkwegu as “a brilliant, industrious, and productive entrepreneur” whose commitment to nurturing productive minds continues to shape the society, noting that he himself is a proud beneficiary of Nkwegu’s mentorship.
Chairman of the occasion and former Senate President, Sen. Anyim Pius Anyim, represented by the 2023 Labour Party governorship candidate, Prince Nwabueze Ajah, lauded the foundation as a builder of “bright minds and promising futures.”
Ajah urged the foundation to remain consistent in promoting self-reliance among citizens.
In separate interviews, the Secretary to the Ebonyi State Government, Prof. Grace Umezurike, the Chairmen of Izzi and Ikwo LGAs—Barr. Steve Emenike Nwankpa and Barr. Sunday Nwankwo as well as the Ebia Development Centre Coordinator, Stephen Iboko, among others congratulated the foundation for its sustained impact.
They encouraged Nkwegu to continue scaling the organization’s interventions to enhance socio-economic development across the state and beyond.
Earlier in his homily, Bishop Peter Chukwu advocated for the promotion of genuine charity rooted in love and service. He urged citizens and organizations to “bank for humanity,” commending the Regina Pacis Foundation for embodying these values over the years.
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