By Uchenna Ezeadigwe 


The Southeast Zonal Coordinator of the National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, Giant Comr. Charles  Ijeomah has  led a delegation of Southeast student leaders on a courtesy visit to Chief James Chijioke Ume (Ike Abam) at his residence in Abam, Abia State. 


Our Correspondent reports that the purpose of the visit was to acknowledge, salute, and appreciate Chief Ume's  immense contributions to education and his resolute support for students and youths in Abia State.


Giant Comr. Charles  Ijeomah praised Chief Ume, President and Founder of the Unubiko Foundation, Channelkoos Media Consult, Unubiko Fashion House, among others, for his selfless and philanthropic endeavors. He further highlighted Ike Abam's remarkable achievements, including his role as a beacon of hope and inspiration, driving impactful change across various spheres. Ume's commitment to education and philanthropy has earned him numerous accolades. 


As the Chairman/CEO of Channelkoos Media Consult, he has displayed exceptional leadership skills and strategic vision, guiding the company to become a respected entity in the media industry. Additionally, as the proud owner of Unubiko Fashion House, he has brought innovation and creativity to the fashion industry, leaving a distinctive mark with each collection.


In 2021,  Ume launched a 250 million naira intervention fund to rebuild Ovukwu-Abam Secondary School in Atan Abam, Abia State. In recognition of his support for education, philanthropy, and human investments, he was conferred an honorary Doctorate degree in Philanthropy and Human Investment by the Weldios University of Management and Technology, Benin Republic. He was also recognized as Africa's Patriotic and Philanthropy Personality of the Year at the third symposium of the All-Africa Students Union (AASU) in Windhoek, Namibia.


Ume's philanthropic efforts extend beyond education. He is building houses for over 50 widows in his hometown, Abam, and has over 300 students on his scholarship payroll. He has also sponsored students to study abroad, trained youths in digital skills acquisition programs, and donated N500 million naira to Abia State Polytechnic during their convocation.


The Southeast student leaders came together, contributed money which they used to buy the cow they presented to Ike Abam worth N1.2 million naira as a token of appreciation for his selfless contributions.


Although the students were unable to meet with him in person, they expressed their admiration for his philanthropic work and prayed for his continued blessings, good health, and prosperity. 


The student leader further disclosed that  Ume is the first private individual that has never held any public office, rather uses his personal resources to fund education in the South East and beyond.


The Coordinator, Giant Comr.   Ijeomah, expressed sadness that they couldn't meet Ike Abam to engage him one-on-one, despite passing the night in his house. They would have loved to tell him physically that the Southeast students are proud of him, proud to call him their own, a giant of philanthropy, an iroko of humanitarianism, and a beacon of hope.