By: Amb. Anthony Akalugo, ANIPR
CELEBRATING ABANA NJABA AT 40, THE MAN OF EXCEPTIONAL CHARITABLE HEART
Four decades ago, precisely on 16th February, 1984, a great son was born to the Ibenjo family of Eziere village, Umuamucha Autonomous Community, of Amucha Ancient kingdom, Njaba Local Government Area, Imo State.
A jolly good fellow, a respectable and dynamic fellow, a son with positive ambition of greatness, not just to satisfy his self ego, but to impact humanity with selfless service. Hon. Chigozie Ibenjo, Abana Njaba , was a gift God used to bless humanity through Ibenjo Family.
In his early years, he attended St. Bridget Primary School, Aba, 1991 – 1996, where he obtained his First School Leaving certificate (FLSC).
He proceeded to St. Augustine’s Grammar School, (SAGS) Nkwerre, 1996 – 2002, where he obtained Senior School Certificate (SSCE) successfully.
In 2007, he gained admission into Abia State University, Uturu, where he studied Political Science and graduated with Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc.Hons.) in 2011.
His quest for knowledge and realising that greatness in life is aligned with how knowledgeable one becomes in life, Chigozie proceeded to Al-Madina International University, Malaysia, where he obtained Diploma in Business Administration (e-commerce), 2014 – 2017.
Abana realises that ” Success is not just about reaching the top, it’s about lifting others up along the way “. He engaged in business and became Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ChigozieAbana Investment Nig. Ltd. This business outfit is into real estate, forex and import of goods for home use.
As a man with compassionate heart, he delights in touching lives and lifting people out of squalor and depravity. Abana incorporated a non-governmental organisation, Gozie Abana Foundation. The foundation takes care of widows, the needy, women and people who face the tortuous feel of life. His foundation cuts across various thematic areas to promote dignity of humanity. The foundation has carried out several projects such as distribution of foodstuff, sponsorship of free medical outreach, empowerment, etc.
As a philanthropist, he realised that every position he has is for impacting lives and therefore, serving as Government Liaison Officer (GLO) for Amucha ward 1, CEO Gozie Abana Foundation dedicated his two years salary to drilling of borehole, construction of the boreholes housing and mounting of overhead tank, installation of generator to power the borehole, linking to EEDC, and commissioning of same project before handing it over to the community.
He also embarked on self sponsorship of reactivation of an old borehole that was not in use to make it functional and handed it over to the community. He is known to have empowered scores of youths with funds and provided beneficial referrals and many youths have become successful through his help.
Gozie Abana believes in the saying that ” Your mindset determines your success, Embrace positivity and watch the world unfold in your favour ” He is courageous, altruistic, perennially optimistic and progressive, always delighted to witness people celebrate accomplishments around him. He has the right disposition of a public servant, selfless and altruistic.
His philosophy in life agrees with the saying ” Don’t be afraid to take risks, for they are the seeds of innovation and progress “.
Abana belongs to progressive political ideology and believes that power is only useful to use for the good of all, not for personal accolades. He is a member of Kpakpando Organization and a strong pillar of 3R political family.
He is a fighter per Excellence, for fairness and equity and can sacrifice to salvage the needy from the claws of sociopolitical emperors and deprivations.
We call him ” palliative Enabler ” because he is a catalyst for conscious reign of good and charitable donations to alleviate sufferings of the people.
As we mark his 40th year on Earth, we are joyful that a lovely gift to humanity is ascending the 4th floor. And our prayer is that he will be more favoured and clad in divine Garland of prominence, wealth and upliftment so that those whom he serves as their destiny helper will continue to smile and his family will continue to celebrate his gift to humanity.
Abana is married and blessed with two adorable children.
© Amb. Anthony Akalugo
Acdore Media, 2024
