Celebrating a True Friend, Emma Bishop Okonkwo
MILESTONE
Annie Okonkwo
Here comes the long awaited day ‘December 25’, to celebrate my dearest friend Emma Bishop Okonkwo, the brain behind the popular Ekulo Group of Companies.
Birthdays are special but yours is very unique and exceptional because you were born same day with our dear lord Jesus Christ.
Every year on December 25th, over 2 billion people around the world celebrate Christmas Day. Traditionally, Christmas is a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Nonreligious people and those of different faiths celebrate the day as a cultural event.
Apart from the joy of waiting patiently to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ which is the most celebrated occasion in the world, it’s also a great feelings for me, to always be in the know that a very special and unique creature is being celebrated same day.
However, one of the most popular Christmas customs is gift-giving. This custom has its roots in the Magi who brought gifts to Jesus shortly after his birth. This spirit has been imbibed by my dear friend Emma Bishop Okonkwo who has over the years given back to the society.
Today in Anambra State, Emma Bishop Okonkwo is one of the most renown philanthropist, he has given lots of scholarships to students to study courses of their choices in various institutions of learning.
Emma Bishop Okonkwo who was born on December 25 six decades ago in a town called Ichi in Anambra State, very close to the popular commercial city Nnewi; his father once wanted him to take over his business from him but as a very determined person, he rather chose to pursue his career, dreams and aspirations in Lagos.
Bishop my brother, I have known you almost all my life, for the past 50 years. You are a very reliable brother and someone I trust, I thank God for your life and I thank God that God has been merciful and we are now seing our children and we comfortably boast that things are going well for us.
The most important thing in relationship is trust and you have never failed me in the past 50 years.
You also have always been there to give any support in life, you are someone that I can always call upon at any time and you will always be there to answer.
During my political journey, even though you are not one that loves the game of politics, you always supported me.
Growing up with you remains an experience that will never be forgotten. You are one of the few gentlemen in this country, hardworking and very industrious, faces business and very successful without making noise.
Chief Okonkwo is the founder of Emma Bishop Okonkwo EBO Foundation which has gained him recognition as a philanthropist of repute who has touched the lives of many through his acts of charity. involving scholarship
Emma Bishop Okonkwo has done programmes which have immensely benefitted several underprivileged Nigerians.
His Philanthropic work has been rewarded several times. He was recognised as the Ikenga Ichi, a title conferred on him by Ichi town in Anambra State for his many contributions to the development of the community which include the building of a new modern palace for the king among others.
Emma Bishop Okonkwo is well loved and recognised by the people of Anambra State and beyond.
In 2011, Emma Bishop Okonkwo was conferred with the Order of the Federal Republic (OFR) by former President, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR and was also honoured in 2013 by the Sun Newspapers as the 2012 Business Man of the Year following his immense contribution in development of the society.
He has also been conferred with prestigious traditional titles like Okpuluisi Zuluora Onu, Eze Enyimba n’ Ozubulu, Odenigbo n’ Amichi and Ikenga Ichi among others.
Emma Bishop Okonkwo who is a proud member of the Knights of Saint Christopher and is happily married to Ngozi and blessed with wonderful children.
Wishing you a very happy birthday, my dear brother. May God make His heavenly face to continue to shine on you on this special day of yours and all the days of your life, amen.
Senator Annie Okonkwo writes from Lagos.
