A businessman and philanthropist, High Chief Boniface Okpete, has brought joy to widows, youths, and other less-privileged residents of Alibaruhu village in Ndibebor Ishieke Autonomous Community, Ebonyi Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, through the donation of food items, cash, and livestock as part of his 2025 annual Yuletide outreach.
The outreach, which has become a yearly tradition, featured the distribution of over 350 bags of rice, cash running into millions of naira, wrappers, and a giant cow. The initiative was aimed at alleviating hardship and fostering unity within the community during the Christmas season.
Speaking at the event, Okpete, who resides in Lagos and is engaged in large-scale trading, described the gesture as his way of giving back to his roots and thanking God for His blessings.
“I am a son of this village, and every year, especially during Christmas, I make it a point of duty to celebrate my people. I believe that giving is the key to progress. The Bible says it is better to give than to receive,” he said.
He explained that while previous editions of the outreach were conducted quietly, community members encouraged him to make this year’s celebration public in order to inspire others to embrace philanthropy.
According to him, special attention was given to widows, the less privileged, and youths, noting that some beneficiaries received cash instead of physical items to enable them meet their most pressing needs.
“I want people to understand that you don’t have to be a politician to give back. Every job is important. What matters is how committed you are to it. I encourage our youths to embrace hard work, learn trades, and focus on business rather than depending solely on politics,” Okpete advised.
He also called for peace, unity, and love in the community, while commending the Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, for promoting peace and people-oriented governance across the state.
In his remarks, the Village Head of Alibaruhu, Chief Sunday Nwoba, expressed gratitude to the philanthropist, describing the gesture as unprecedented.
“This year’s celebration is very special. We saw rice, wrappers, money, and even a cow. We are very happy, and we pray that God will continue to uplift him,” he said.
The village Youth Leader, Mr. Solomon Chukwuemeka Ekuma, also lauded High Chief Okpete, describing him as a pillar of peace and development in the community.
“He has been doing this every year, but this year is exceptional. He is a godsend to our village. He has helped restore peace and has carried both the rich and the poor along,” Ekuma noted.
Similarly, the Chairman of Stakeholders in the village, Chief Joseph Mbam, said the businessman’s consistent acts of kindness had positively impacted many lives, including sponsoring education and training youths in various trades.
A beneficiary, Mrs. Elizabeth Nweze, expressed deep appreciation, saying the outreach brought hope and joy to widows and the downtrodden.
“As a beneficiary, I feel blessed and uplifted. This is not the first time he has helped us. My prayer is that God will continue to bless him, his family, and his business,” she said.
The event ended with prayers for sustained peace, unity, and development in the community, as residents called on other well-meaning individuals to emulate Okpete’s gesture.
