Charity begins at home is a phrase that dates back to the 17th century and credited to Thomas Fuller, a British clergyman and historian.
The expression is often misinterpreted as caring for oneself and close relatives.
But in a low and middle-income society like ours, charity becomes more impactful when it goes beyond our immediate families. There is greater harmony when kindness is extended to others and this underlies the needs of human existence.
However, in Nigeria and some parts of the world, philanthropy is usually associated with captains of industry, business moguls and high-ranking politicians, not academics. The reason is that lecturers are poorly paid compared to their counterparts in other fields.
So, unlike the captains of industry and those in politics that have some extra money to throw around, lecturers do not.
And so, when a lecturer charitably gives from his little resources to lessen a burden on others, such an act demonstrates inherent trait. Not the type that precedes an election which fizzles away soon after elections have been won or lost.
Granted that a teacher’s benevolence is incomparable with that of the wealthy, it certainly has the potential to turn lives around. Such goodwill could be just paying school fees for a student, yet, it could be all the beneficiary needs to push on.
That is what good leadership offers; unlocking peoples potential to become better.
Indisputably, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, has in years proved that the greatness of a leader lies in how positively he uses his position and resources to impact his followers and improve society.
Little wonder his generosity formed most part of discussions in his community during the Christmas merriments. From the elderly to the youths, the erudite Professor is known as an astute scholar, a pragmatic leader, and a special gift to Emohua Local Government Area.
“Professor Onuchuku is a blessing to humanity, a destiny helper, a father and leader. He is a good man any day, anytime.”
To clarify that the Professor’s kindness didn’t just begin with his appointment into office as vice-chancellor, another respondent said: “He started exhibiting capacity for philanthropy in 1999 and has remained an agent of transformation and source of Joy to many in and beyond Rivers State.”
In short, Professor Onuchuku’s open-handedness and commitment to human capacity development could be summarised in the words of two Ikwerre elder statesmen.
“Truly, Professor Okey Onuchuku is a phenomenon of God. He is to be celebrated always. Emohua prays for more of his kind. May the Almighty God, the ancestors and ancestresses keep and hallow him and his. So, Mote, it be.”
The second, apparently in response to the earlier, said: “It is worthy of emulation that we toast our leaders while they are with us. Prof Okey is a rare gem of a gentleman. He is doing for Emohua, what the late Chief Green Owabieniche Enyindah Iberi, did.”
So, while you relish the excitement of any festive period or enjoy the luxuries of the office you occupy, remember that when your kindness goes beyond your family, it increases harmony in society and underlies the fulfilment of the needs of human existence.
Tunde Uchegbuo wrote from Port Harcourt
