Business Mogul Bags Community Philanthropy Award 

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

The Chairman Topline Group of Companies Chief John Ezeani-Dike, Ikemba 1 of Akwaeze community in Anaocha local government area of Anambra state has been honoured with the award of community philanthropy by the Anambra State Ministry of Youth Enterpreneurship and Creative Economy. The recognition according to him is a testimony of his philanthropic gestures and community service to the people of Akwaeze community and beyond.

Ezeani-Dike who was conferred with the aforestated award at Finotel Awka said the honour was unexpected because he hadn’t the premonition that the Anambra state government beamed its searchlight on his activities geared towards the emancipation of humanity from abject penury and squalor.

The award recipient who told journalists shortly after the honour was bestowed on him, said he was delighted to be recognized by the Willie Obiano administration stressing that the award would spur him further to enliven as well as give succour to the needy, the indigent and the downtrodden in the society.

He said through Ezeani-Dike Foundation he has been able to reach out to the widows, established businesses for many, spearheaded the building of Akwaeze Civic Centre, built the palace of the traditional ruler, sunk borehole water facilities, gave out scholarships and other numerous interventions intended to build human infrastructure.

Ezeani-Dike also disclosed that his foundation does not only give out scholarships but also paid tuition fees from first year to final year of the beneficiaries adding that he gives about twenty scholarships to indigenes of Akwaeze community every year and has been able to produce many scholars through his foundation.

According to him, Ezeani-Dike Foundation has produced a First Class Graduate of Petroleum Engineering, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano and a host of other youngsters doing well in various spheres of human endeavour pointing out that his passion to always give a helping hand in the development of human infrastructure knows no bounds.

Ezeani-Dike said he could not overemphasize what he would do for his community  because they know his capacity, adding that over 30 students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka and some others in various institutions of higher learning across the country were currently enjoying his scholarships.

He said apart from giving out scholarships for free education, his foundation equally ensures that the youngsters got job placements after their graduations even as he collects their curriculum vitae and submit them to authorities where they can source employment even though he revealed that a good number of indigenes of Akwaeze community were currently under his employ.

Ezeani-Dike therefore called on other indigenes of the town who have the financial muscle to extend a hand of olive to needy and the downtrodden to enthrone a better society.