Mekens Integrated Boss, Chief Ikenna Obele Flags- Off 4.2km Road Project In Ezinifite Community, Says It’s His Own Way Of Giving Back To The Society

+ Njoku Macdonald Obinna

Aguata LGA,  Anambra State.

In a move widely hailed as timely wake-up call for Anambra industrialists, investors, and successful businessmen;  including the diaspora,  to always  think home and develop home, an illustrious son of Aku village in Ezinifite —Aguata Local  Government Area  of  Anambra State — Chief (Dr .) Amb. Ikenna Anthony Obele (Okwunze Aguata),  a serial entrepreneur and industrialist, has been highly commened by the people on the auspicious occasion marking the official flag-off of a 4.2km road he is single-handedly  constructing in his community,  in line with the Public -Private Community Partnership (PPCP)  Initiative of the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo led Administration in Anambra State.

The multi-million Naira  landmark   road construction flag-off  facilitated and sponsored by High Chief (Dr.)  Ikenna Obele,  which took place on Friday, May 23, 2025 , brought together traditional rulers, town union presidents- general, community leaders, members of Ezinifite Improvement Union, artisans, students, different socio-cultural groups, opinion moulders and elected councilors, as Anambra State Governor, His Excellency, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, CFR, was ably represented by the Mayor of Aguata Local Government Area—Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike— who performed the official flag-off ceremony amid commendations by the people.

During his remarks, the traditional ruler of Ezinifite Community in Aguata LGA, Anambra State, His Royal Highness,  Igwe Bob Chukwuma Orji (Ezeugo ll of Ezinifitte Aguata), applauded  Okwunze Aguata ‘s  bouyant heart for charity and love for humanity; which is  exemplified in his personal drive towards community development, human capacity building, and  donations of start-ups capital to small business owners, among other philanthropic gestures, Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna , succinctly captured .

In his own words, the Monarch was quoted to have said:  “ We are  here today to commend our  illustrious son and industrialist, Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele, for the official flag-off of the 4.2km road construction in Ezinifite Community which will not only ease traffick jam and long travel hours, but will also  connect us to  other neighbouring towns in Aguata LGA  and across the  state faster than expected.

Commending the magnanimity and unwavering commitment of Chief  Ikenna Obele’s personal drive to  build capacity and  develop  community with his God-given resources, Igwe Bob Chukwuma Orji, however, called on other well-to-do  sons and daughters of Ezinifite  community to emulate the exemplary selfless community services and people-oriented based leadership style of the industrialist— Okwunze Aguata.

Speaking on already established protocol before performing the official flag-off ceremony, the representative of Anambra State governor—Prof. Charles C. Soludo, CFR;  Mayor|Chairman of Aguata Local Government Area, Hon. Dr. Chibueze Ofobuike — commended Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele’s timely intervention  on the construction of the 4.2km road which, if eventually completed, would link the community to  other neighbouring towns across the state.

While praying for  God’s continued protection and providience on the road facilitator and sole sponsor— Chief Ikenna Obele—  the representative of Anambra State governor— Dr. Chibueze  Ofobuike—maintained that the project aligned with the Public/ Private /Community/ Partnership/ Initiative of the Prof. Charles Chukwuma  Soludo’s led Solution Administration;  advising the youths, community leaders and all stakeholders to get involved  by protecting both men and equipment that would be  deployed to  the project site during and after  the execution of the road  construction project.

In a similar note, during an interview session with the Publisher of 4th Estate Reporters, Njoku Macdonald Obinna , the road  contractor, Engr. Emeka Ononuju,  FNSE, affirmed that the project which is aimed at opening up the vast uncultivated lands in the area and reclaim terrains ravaged by erosion gullies will commence in earnest.

The whole idea of the construction project is to link the community to Amawabia, Agulu, Nanka, Ekwulobia, Uga interstate highway being constructed by His Excellency , Governor Charles Soludo, CFR. “ The newly flagged off road project , if  completed, in  a projected 4 month construction duration, would go  a long way in easing traffic jam  and reducing travel time, Engr. Onunouju stated.“

He also, commended Chief Ikenna Obele for the bold  initiative  of  the road construction project which would stimulate economic activities in the area and connect the community to other  neighbouring towns.

The successful industrialist, doyen of real estate,  established business mavrick, uncommon  philanthropist and  respected transformative leader of international repute , Chief Dr. Ikenna Anthony Obele—Okwunze Aguata— a rare chieftaincy title conferred on him by the traditional rulers of the 14 communities in Aguata LGA,  Anambra State, while speaking with newsmen  after the road  construction  flag-off, said that he  is passionately driven by anything that has to do with humanitarian cause, maintaining that it is his own way  of giving back to  the society and what the  environment  has invested  in  him over time. Admitting that, there is an obvious challenge of bad road network back home and since government cannot do everything for the people, he is poised to do his bit to support the present administration of Prof. Charles Soludo in Anambra State.

With the impressive performance of the state  governor in the areas of  urban renewal , security, and road construction, Chief Ikenna Anthony Obele  affirmed his  support to the present Administration in Anambra State since government cannot carry out all these  enormous tasks alone, calling on fellow industrialists, the diaspora , and investors to align with the Public Private Community Partnership Initiative for the common good and development of the state.

Chief Dr. Amb. Anthony Ikenna Obele (Okwunze Aguata) , an industrialist with impressive scorecard,  billionaire boardroom business  strategist, serial entrepreneur, home builder,  respected community leader, uncommon philanthropist, and foreign investor with interests spanning: real estate, maritime, logistics , road construction, hospitality, oil & gas, and rural development, is  the Chairman,  Mekena Properties & Construction Nig. Ltd.
Group Chairman, Ganik Oil & Gas Nig. Ltd.
Chairman, Ecopark Lodge , South Africa, among other  business establishments. And through strategic thinking and productive engagements with his foriegn  partners, has laid a  strong foundation for  multi-million dollars business conglomerate.

The 2021 Rainbow Hall of Fame Business Man of the Year; 2024 Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Social Impact Champion Award Recipient; is a honorary holder, Doctor of Humanitarian Services and Community Development, among several national and international awards confernment on him  in recognition of his immeasurable contribution towards the development of society and humanity.