Mr. David Ebiloma Okpenye, an Ordinary National Diploma (OND) holder in Marketing from Kogi State and a Keke rider, returned a missing Samsung phone belonging to Mr. Tony Ezike, a media practitioner, to the B Division of the Nigerian Police State Command in Awka, Anambra State on Saturday.
This act of kindness was highly commended by the phone’s owner, who remarked that such goodwill is rare among today’s youth, many of whom are eager to succeed by any means.
In recognition of this admirable gesture, Prince Chigozie Nweke, President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State (ANIAS), conferred on Okpenye the titles of Youth Leader and Ambassador of the association for Kogi residents in Anambra State.
Mr. Ezike had lost two phones a Samsung and a Tecno on Saturday evening at Aroma Junction, Awka.
Mr. Victor Obiesie, a friend of Ezike’s whom Okpenye approached at his shop, confirmed the loss of both phones. However, Okpenye found only the Samsung phone and returned it to its rightful owner.
Okpenye took the phone home and waited for a call, but none came. The next morning, he reported the phone to the Police B Division and left his contact details.
On Sunday morning, Mr. Ezike, through his friend Mr. Ceasar Obidile, visited the B Division Police Station where he met Okpenye, confirming that the phone belonged to him.
Narrating the events, Okpenye, a graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Idah in Kogi State, said:
“I run this Keke business to raise money to further my education after graduating. Last night, while riding my Keke from Ifite Road, Awka, I saw a phone on the ground and picked it up. I waited for the owner to call, but no one did. Then I approached a man who owns a bar and asked if anyone had lost a phone. He told me his friend lost two phones.”
“I told him I only found one, and he said the phone I had belonged to his friend. I gave him my phone number to call me the next day, as I was planning to take the phone to the police station.”
“The bar owner told me the phone belonged to someone called Oba. The next morning, I went to the Police B Division Station at Aroma and gave the police my phone number.”
“The bar owner called me that morning, and I told him I had already taken the phone to the police. Later, a friend called to say someone lost their phone and I told him to inform the owner to come to the police station to identify it.”
“The owner came to the police station, the police called me, and we met there. The owner confirmed it was his phone. That was how it happened.” he stated.
Okpenye added that he had lost his phone before and understood how it felt to have it returned by a stranger.
Speaking shortly after recovering his phone, Mr. Tony Ezike expressed his gratitude, saying it was heartwarming to see good young people in Nigerian society. Ezike appealed to the government and public-spirited individuals to assist Okpenye in completing his education.
“Despite the situation in the country, good people still exist. I may not have much to offer him, but I urge the government and public-spirited individuals to help Okpenye obtain his Higher National Diploma (HND) certificate. The fact that he is venturing into the Keke business shows he is focused, and determined” he noted.
Upon learning of this kind gesture, Prince Chigozie Nweke, National President of ANIAS, described Okpenye as “God-sent” and emphasized that such acts of kindness should be encouraged.
“He is a good Nigerian citizen, which shows that we still have good people in this country. By the powers vested in me as President of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, I hereby appoint him Youth Leader and Ambassador of Kogi Indigenes residing in Anambra State,” he said.
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