By Oriri Peter

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edi-Jen Company, Nigeria Limited, Chief Dr. Benjamin Omale has appealed to wealthy Nigerians to use their wealth for philanthropic services.

According to available reports, Dr Omale has contributed significantly to elevating the human race through his philanthropic services not only in his hometown, Ohimini and his state Benue, but the entire country.

It would be recalled that on May 2022, Dr. Omale supported the Eunice Spring of Life Foundation (ESLF) in Benue founded by the Benue State First Lady, Dr. Eunice Ortom. He donated various sports items including track suits, jerseys, match balls and canvass to support ESLF Football Tournament 2022 which was held in May 2022 at Otukpo, Benue State.

He is the sole sponsor and financier of TONJOS Cup up to 15th Edition 2006 till date and gives enormous cash prizes to winners and runners-up. He makes sure that everyone involved benefits financially or otherwise.

He has sponsored many children and youths in various educational institutions through scholarship and has taken care of many medical challenges of so many people including women and children in Benue State and across Nigeria.

As a result of his enormous philanthropic services, he was given the following traditional titles in Benue State: Akangba K’ I Ohimni, Ohonyeta K’ I doma and Oyameh K’ I Adoka.

Chief Omale’s philanthropy has also given him many awards and recognitions. Some of them are: Legendary Award for the most influential sports development in North-west, Nigeria in 2022; Appointed as Eunice Spring of Life Foundation Ambassador in 2022; Award for the honour for youth development by Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria (PFAN) in 2022; Gold Medal Award by African Independent Television (AIT) in 2005; Merit Award (Akanaba I) bu Ohimini LG, Kaduna Branch; Patriotic Recognition Award by Commission of Police (Kaduna State Command); Patriotic Recognition Award by Muslim/Christian Awareness Foundation; Merit Award by St. Matthew Catholic Church Television, Kaduna in 2012 among others.

Meanwhile Dr. Omale has revealed that his philanthropy was inspired by the Father of Modern Philanthropy, Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) who was among the wealthiest and most famous industrialist of his day.

In “The Gospel of Wealth,” Carnegie argued that extremely wealthy Americans like himself had a responsibility to spend their money in order to benefit the greater good. In other words, the richest Americans should actively engage in philanthropy and charity in order to close the widening gap between rich and poor. This is the same philosophy Dr. Omale has and said he will continue to use his wealth to elevate the human race until when he’ll leave planet earth.