Eric Umeofia, president and chief executive officer of Erisco Foods Limited, in a bid to uplift his community in Anambra State, has given out a total of N100 million in addition to an array of Erisco food products.
The money and gifts items were presented to lucky families at the Amichi Development Union Lagos Branch Thanksgiving/meeting in Lagos recently.
The event, which was held at Amichi Civic Centre, Amuwo Odofin, saw 10 people becoming millionaires with other cash donations emerging from an open ballot process.
A widow who was present at the meeting became an instant millionaire and also nine men from the four quarters of Amichi including Okpala, Eze Udene, Afube and Ebenasa all went home with N1 million each.
Nine women runners-up in the ballot smiled home with N100, 000 each and four men runners-up in the balloting went home with the same amount. Another batch of 50 women from Amichi Development Union’s women wing went home with N50, 000 each with another batch of 50 men from Amichi Development Union, Lagos Branch, walking off with the same amount.
Umeofia said that he reserved N40 million for 40 deserving men/women of his immediate kindred.
Commenting on what prompted this act of kindness, Umeofia said: “The motive behind the benevolence was basically to lift as many people from my community out of poverty in view of the post COVID-19 challenges.”
Also, at the end of the meeting, all the women present at the meeting went home with a wide range of Erisco Foods products, including a bag of Erisco Rice, a bag of Erisco Wheat flour, rolls of Erisco Tomato paste, a carton of Erisco 3in1 Garri mix and pouches of Nagiko seasoning cubes each.
Mike Umeh, chairman, Interim government of Amichi Development Union Lagos Branch, thanked Umeofia.
“It has been proven without any iota of doubt that the best secret of living an excellent life is by giving in terms of contributing to the wellbeing of others in our community and the country at large. This best describes the life of the Tomato King as he has consistently used his resources to improve the life of people around him irrespective of ethnic or religious connotation,” Umeh said.
He urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the money in order for them to be a blessing to others.
As a philanthropist, UmeofIa has made a big difference in his community and beyond by embarking on massive philanthropic gestures including building houses for the homeless, and instituting scholarship for indigent students. Many have graduated from the University through his magnanimity. He also built churches and mosques as well as set up youth empowerment programmes.
