Anambra philanthropist, Ikenna Okafor donates N300m to Catholic Diocese by instant transfer

By Our Correspondent

Oil mogul and philanthropist, Chief Sir Dr. Ikenna Okafor, has donated N300 million to the Catholic Diocese of Ekwulobia in Anambra State.

He made the donation during a surprise visit to the Catholic Bishop of Ekwulobia, His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke, at his office.

Chief Okafor, who effected an instant transfer of the N300 million, said the money was meant to support evangelical and developmental projects in the diocese.

Reacting, His Eminence warmly thanked the donor and offered prayers for his continued success and growth.
Chief Okafor, a successful businessman, technocrat and entrepreneur, is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Keves Global Leasing Limited, Keves Inn and Suites, and Arthur Services Limited, among other ventures.

He has supported evangelical works across various dioceses in Nigeria and is widely regarded as one of the pillars of the Catholic Church in Port Harcourt. Beyond his church-related philanthropy, he has also been a major donor to several social and community causes.

The philanthropist, popularly known as Ide Akwaeze, adopted Community High School, Akwaeze, where he built the administrative block, classroom blocks, refectory and kitchen. In an interview, he disclosed that he had spent nearly N650 million on infrastructure in the school to make it comparable to a university environment.

Through his Idi Ezeani Nzekwuabuo Foundation, over 160 students have been enrolled on scholarship at the school, while 50 pupils in a primary school in his Akwaeze community and 40 students in tertiary institutions across Nigeria have also benefited. Many beneficiaries have testified to graduating through the foundation’s support.

In 2023, he laid the foundation for the ultra-modern UNIZIK Business School building and donated N100 million for its take-off. The project has since been completed.

He is also a major supporter of Peter University, Onne/Achina, in Anambra State, owned by the Catholic Diocese of Awka.

Earlier, Ide Akwaeze donated a multimillion-naira laboratory and ICT complex to St. Dominic Savio Seminary, Akpo, in Orumba South Local Government Area. The facility, named Ide Akwaeze Laboratories and ICT Complex, was handed over to His Eminence, Peter Ebere Cardinal Okpaleke.