• Dedicates Award to #EndSARS Victims
By CAMPUS GIST, Benin City
March 26, 2022
Philanthropist and Chairman of Ekpen Large Foundation, Engr. Ekpen Oyakhilome Kenneth, has been honoured by the Niger Delta Students Union Government (NIDSUG) Senate Arm, in recognition of his humanitarian activities and contribution to the Students community and the Society at large.
The Award presentation ceremony took place on Friday March 25th, 2022 in Benin City, the Edo State capital. Presenting the award, the NIDSUG Senate President, Senator Kingsley Igiebor said Engr. Kenneth was nominated and chosen by Nigerian students for the honours, following his contribution to youth development.
In his acceptance speech, Engr. Kenneth dedicated the Award to the October 20, 2020 #EndSARS victims; and thanked the Almighty God, Nigerian students, stakeholders and the NIDSUG Senate for finding him worthy of the recognition, with a promise to continue to build on the youths and contribute his quota to the society.
Calling on the youths to take charge, Engr. Kenneth said: “Youths are the leaders of tomorrow, let no one deceive you, today belong to us, we have the numbers, we have the strength, let’s leverage on that and this will enable us gradually take over the political space. We should never lose faith in our country, it’s all we have.”
On the idea behind Ekpen Large Foundation, Engr. Kenneth revealed that having experienced poverty, growing up, and now in the hall of fame, he understands life better which informed his decision to establish the Charity Foundation through which resources are rallied from friends all over the world to support the less privileged, orphans and downtrodden in the society.
“Of a truth, poverty cannot be totally eradicated but at least it can be curbed to its nearest minimum and in our Foundation, we have been able to reach out to over a 100 persons on the streets and we are willing to do more as God empowers us.”
Engr. Kenneth reiterated his commitment and loyalty towards the Comrades Community, while pledging support for NIDSUG when called upon especially as it relates to students emancipation and empowerment.
Born on 28th January, 1991 to the family of Mr and Mrs Ekpen Augustine, Engr. Ekpen Kenneth hails from Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State. He studied Civil Engineering and graduated from the University of Benin, UNIBEN, in 2019. Engr. Kenneth got involved in student politics while studying at UNIBEN, serving at various Committees.
He currently sits as the Chairman of Ekpen Large Foundation, which he uses to reach out to the less privilege and downtrodden in the society. He is well travelled and has businesses within and outside the country and currently based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Aside being a businessman, Engr. Kenneth is also a farmer – owning a cassava, pineapple and palm farm of over five acres of land. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of Ekpen Large Doors and Tubs, now EL-NETH Doors and Tubs. Kenneth is into oil and gas. He is a giver and dwells on youth empowerment.
Other Student leaders who graced the award event on Friday to celebrate with Engr. Kenneth include friends of the awardee and National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) leaders amongst who were: Comrade David Salami, Efam Pius, Comrade Mourinho, Comrade Richie, Moses Laurel, Comrade Imafidon Stephen and Precious Oruche. In their remarks, they described the awardee as a rare gem, a man devoid of ethnicity and chauvinism, a pace-setter and lover of God and Humanity.
