Chief Charles Orie Backs Imo State Union UK's Charity Drive With ₦20m Pledge And A £2,000 cash Donation.
By Mrs Ngozi Awa
Hon. Chief Charles Umuezurike Orie, has pledged the sum of ₦20 million, through the Chief Charles Orie Foundation, in support of the Imo State Union UK's charitable project in Nigeria.
Chief Orie announced the pledge on Saturday, 10th October 2026, at the Union's Imo Day 2026 celebration, held at the Broadwater Community Centre, Tottenham, London. The event, a fundraiser for charitable causes, was held under the theme “To put smile on the faces of the less privileged” and brought together Imo sons and daughters resident across the United Kingdom. In addition to the Foundation's pledge, he made a personal cash donation of £2,000 to the Imo State Union UK.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Orie spoke about his record of charitable service in Imo State, which dates back to 1990. He told the audience that giving back to his people had been part of his life long before he held public office, and that he firmly believes in the charity work the Union has embarked upon on behalf of communities at home.
He commended the leadership of the Union, led by its President, High Chief Ekwueme Nwokeji, alongside the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Chief Ben Agwunobi, and the General Secretary, Chief Charles Onyekuru, as well as its members, for keeping faith with Imo State despite the distance, describing diaspora associations that channel their time and resources into welfare, health and education projects as true partners in the development of the state.
Chief Orie also urged Imo indigenes in the diaspora to continue to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whom he thanked for his visionary leadership and for what he described as the economic turnaround of the country under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He further praised the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for his outstanding performance in the state, and encouraged Imo sons and daughters abroad to remain active partners in the progress being recorded at home.
A Record Rooted in Service
The Chief Charles Orie Foundation has, over the years, supported communities across Imo State through the provision of solar street lights in partnership with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the sponsorship of medical bills for indigent patients, and financial support to hospitals and orphanages across the state.
Only recently, the Foundation paid the tuition fees of twenty indigent students at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) who were at risk of dropping out of school, a gesture that was warmly received by students and staff of the institution.
As Managing Director of ISOPADEC, Chief Orie oversaw the construction and full equipping of three ultra-modern hospitals, one in each oil-producing Local Government Area of the state, and the rehabilitation of 20 primary healthcare centres serving rural communities. His tenure also delivered a skill acquisition centre at Awommamma in Oru East LGA, alongside scholarship schemes, agricultural job-creation initiatives and youth empowerment programmes.
Bridging Home and the Diaspora
A native of Umuokanne in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area, Chief Orie resigned from ISOPADEC in 2024 to undertake wide-ranging consultations ahead of the 2027 elections. Since then, he has maintained close engagement with Imo indigenes abroad, whom he regards as a vital force in the progress of the state.
His presence and support at Imo Day were widely seen by attendees as a fresh reminder that the bond between Imo State and its diaspora remains strong, and that the work of rebuilding communities at home is a shared responsibility.
More information on the charitable work of the Chief Charles Orie Foundation can be found at
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