In a bid to give back to the society, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Platinum Mortgage Bank, Engr Emmanuel Mbaka has launched an Orphanage home and a school in conjunction with Canada’s Wanted Children Foundation For Orphans in Eluama community, Abia State.
The grand ceremony which took place on January 1, 2020 drew dignitaries from all walks of life and friends of the Emmanuel Mbaka Foundation, including Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan.
The Occasion started with a church service attended by dignitaries and residents of the Eluama community, who were grateful for the benevolence of one of their illustrious sons, Engr. Mbaka.
While speaking at the church service, Mbaka thanked all those who came to witness the event and expressed gratitude to his Canadian partner represented by Mr Steve Anderson.
Mbaka said ‘’It is being a pleasure that we are here today. Let me thank his eminence for accepting to be here in Eluama. Moving forward his eminence is now a friend of Eluama community. I appreciate all of you for leaving everything you were doing to be here with us on the first day of the first month of 2020, it is indeed very remarkable for us.’’
He added that ‘’being part of charity and to start your year with charity, I think it is a thing of joy. Steve Anderson was the one who had the passion to look after children. This is very remarkable. These people are all the way from Canada and they found themselves in Eluama. Without going to Abuja or Lagos, they came to Eluama.’’
In his remarks, Steve Anderson who represented the Canadian Board of Western Canada said ‘’we connected with Emmanuel Mbaka’s foundation, we had some conversation. We do it with children. He liked what we did and we loved what he did. We had a conversation about an idea of creating a children’s home. Instead of just throwing food at children, what about rebuilding them and helping them become valuable members of the society. They are not castaways; they are very special children.’’
He noted that ‘’those who have money, turn around and invest in the future of Nigeria’s tomorrow. You don’t do a good job there; you don’t get a good tomorrow.’’
The highlight of the occasion was the commissioning of the Orphanage home and school by Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan assisted by Bishop Solomon Amatu, the Arch Bishop of Okigwe Diocese.
Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja Diocese, John Cardinal Onaiyekan while commissioning the project, thanked Engr. Mbaka for his selfless heart and for giving back to humanity.
Onaiyekan called on other well-meaning Nigerians to emulate Mbaka so as to bring succour to the down trodden in the society.
The orphaned children also melted hearts at the occasion with rendition of special songs to express their gratitude.
This is not the first time Mbaka will be reaching out to humanity. It was in a bid to meet the charity needs of his people that he set up the Emmanuel Mbaka foundation in 2002 to assist the needy. The work of the Foundation since inception is immeasurable.
He single-handedly built St. Agnes Pro-Cathedral Catholic Church in Eluama, Isuikwuato. He has donated school buses, books and other learning materials to schools in Isuikwuato. Little wonder his people gave him the title “Ugbo vu Mba”—literally meaning; the ship that is carrying the nation.
As a philanthropist that knows no bounds, he donated a 500 KVA transformer to Jahi Community in Abuja-a community that has not had electricity for over 50 years. He also sunk boreholes to the same community to give them a sense of belonging.
A quintessential administrator and philanthropist, his immense contribution to mankind has earned him over 57 awards and laurels within and outside the country. Some of the awards and recognitions include African Leadership Excellence Gold Award; Community Service Award by the Rotary Club International; Isuikwuato Development Union Gold Award amongst others.
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