It was indeed an act of benevolence, an atmosphere that relished great vibes as friends, well-wishers of Lady Victoria Nwankwo, Mrs Ngozi Nwankwo, on Sunday converged at Church of Christ, Abala, Obingwa LGA, Abia State to celebrate Lady Victoria Nwankwo as well as recognise those who have imparted and impacted positively to the upkeep and smooth running of Daniel Nwankwo Foundation.

The environment was that of great ambience as friends of the Nwankwo family and Daniel Foundation were glued to their seats, as they watched Mrs Ngozi Nwankwo reel out testimonies and achievements of her Foundation and what it represents, which according to her would not have been possible without her sweet mother, Lady Victoria Nwankwo who just turned 80.

Speaking with newsmen, Mrs. Ngozi Nwankwo recounted with nostalgia how the Foundation got its name "Daniel Nwankwo Foundation", revealing that it was an idea built around her youngest brother, Late Sergent Daniel Nwankwo whom nobody heard from until it was confirmed that he died four years ago, stressing that the Foundation has blossomed, touching lives and assisting government in the fight against drug abuse in the society.

She stated that Daniel Nwankwo Foundation, gave birth to Lady Victoria Nwankwo Salvation Net, which deals with the act of "Benevolence", emphasising that the act has kept her going as well as a propelling force that encourages her to give back to the community where she started her Secondary education before moving down to the township.

She lauded the people of Abala for being receptive over the years, maintaining that they have always welcomed her with great gusto, noting that such enthusiasm each time she came calling has spurred her into doing the little the Foundation can for Ndi Abala.

She hinted that Lady Victoria Nwankwo Salvation Net is a hope based centre where children that need rehabilitation are kept and cared for until they are fully rehabilitated, adding that the core vocation of Lady Victoria Nwankwo Salvation Net, is benevolence, looking after lives of the rural people, revealing that soon, the Foundation will start paying school fees for those that cannot afford it among other charity works, urging people to extend alms to the less privileged.

Mrs Nwankwo used the opportunity to call on government at all levels, to do more in the fight against drug abuse, stressing that creation of jobs for gainful employment of the youth is of essence, adding that an idle mind is the devil's workshop. She called on the Government to deploy necessary machinery to fight drug cartels in the country, adding that ordinary people that involve in drugs in society do not have the muscle to import, insisting that the cartels hold the keys to drugs and its peddling in the society.

She equally called on the government to assist the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) with operational vehicles and other equipment, stressing that if the war on illicit drug abuse will be won, the Agency must be motivated in all ramifications so they can take the war to all the identified hot spots.

On his part, Mr Eze Eluchie, Director, African Centre for Health Law and Development, said despite being a young one, Daniel Nwankwo Foundation has made very wonderful and deep rooted impact in communities it has shown benevolence. He lauded the founder for learning very fast, stating that more people are needed to work in the area of drug abuse prevention, treatment, addiction and care.

He stressed that the issue of drug abuse and addiction is a global push which requires synergy from all involved both from the NDLEA, NAFDAC, Commission on Narcotic drugs among others, adding that if one succeeds in pushing away drug addiction or abuse in one locality while another is affected, then the war has not been won.

Eluchie pointed out that the war on drug abuse and addiction is not a localised effort, rather a wholistic approach, all encompassing in order to achieve a desired result. He said even though it is not possible to achieve an hundred percent drug free population but to mitigate the level at which they influence others, reiterating that drug abuse and addiction is a mental health condition, a sickness.

On whether drug addicts should be incarcerated, Mr Eluchie revealed that people that belong to jail are the drug traffickers,dealers and not addicts because it is a mental health condition, stating that efforts should be made to arrest the kingpins,drug barons, cartels, maintaining that if the barons are eliminated, the small ones cannot do anything.

He called on the government to be more serious with the war against drug abuse by properly equipping NDLEA staff, adding that a personnel cannot be earning N50,000 and asked to go after someone earning N200 million.

Some of the beneficiaries of Daniel Nwankwo Foundation Award, Brother Emma Asomogha, Mrs Rose Eze, Pastor Mrs Deborah Nwaimo, among others, thanked Daniel Nwankwo Foundation for remembering them, revealing that they are happy to identify with the Foundation.

Correspondent reports that the highlight of the occasion was the cutting of the Anniversary cake of Lady Victoria Nwankwo, presentation of plaque to deserving individuals among others.