In Umuobasi, Mbala Isuochi of Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, one man is rewriting the story of survival and dignity. Chief Nwabunna Achu (Akubuilo 1) has not only quenched the thirst of his people with a life-changing borehole project but has also poured his resources into light, shelter, and hope. From founding Ziggy Water to empowering youths and uplifting the less privileged, his legacy is a testament that true wealth is measured by lives transformed. ROMMY IMAH writes…..
From the beginning of time, water has been regarded as the essence of life. It sustains the body, nourishes the land, and shapes civilizations. Great empires thrived along rivers—the Nile, the Tigris, the Euphrates, because water was at the centre of survival and prosperity. Even today, across continents, access to potable water remains the difference between sickness and health, poverty and progress, despair and hope.
For the people of Umuobasi Autonomous Community in Mbala Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of Abia State, the story of water is deeply personal. For years, women and children trekked long distances with jerry cans and plastic buckets, often under the scorching sun, just to fetch water. The challenge of access to a clean, reliable water supply was a burden silently borne by generations, until a son of the soil decided to change that narrative.
That son is Chief Nwabunna Kenneth Achu (Akubuilo 1), a man whose compassion, generosity, and vision have carved his name into the heart of his people.
The Borehole Project: A Monument of Love
In his early 40s, when many are still chasing personal ambitions, Chief Achu turned his attention to community needs. Recently, he embarked on a multi-million-naira borehole project at Mbara Agwuanyi in Umuobasi, a project designed to provide his people with potable water.
The significance of this intervention cannot be overstated. With the project nearing completion, the community eagerly awaits the official commissioning—the turning on of taps that will forever symbolize liberation from years of water scarcity. Women no longer need to trek for hours. Children no longer need to exchange their playtime, trekking long distances to fetch water. The borehole is more than pipes and pumps; it is dignity restored, health preserved, and hope renewed.
In his early 40s, when many are still chasing personal ambitions, Chief Achu turned his attention to community needs.
Ziggy Water: Turning Vision into Reality
Chief Achu’s passion for water did not begin with this community project. Years ago, he had already envisioned a solution to the silent epidemic of water-borne diseases. That vision birthed Ziggy Water, a NAFDAC-certified table water brand under Ken Nab & Sons Ltd.
Produced under international standards and known for its purity and freshness, Ziggy Water quickly became a household name across the Southeast. From weddings and funerals to political rallies and cultural festivals, Ziggy Water flowed, symbolizing not just refreshment but a new standard of health and excellence.
Explaining his motivation, Chief Achu once said: “We all know that water is life and one of the most essential entities for human survival. Potable water is crucial to life, yet remains scarce in under-developed and developing countries like Nigeria. It was these horrible statistics about water-borne diseases that inspired us into starting this business.”
Through Ziggy Water, he did not just create a thriving business; he addressed a fundamental human need while creating jobs and inspiring entrepreneurial excellence.
A Life Poured Out in Generosity
Water may be the centrepiece of his philanthropy, but it is not the full picture. Akubuilo has consistently demonstrated that generosity is not a one-time act but a way of life. He illuminated the streets of Umuobasi with solar-powered lights, banishing darkness and improving security.
He provided an earlier borehole that served the community freely. He distributed ten brand-new tricycles (Keke NAPEP) to youths across Mbala, opening doors to economic independence for many families.
Akubuilo has consistently demonstrated that generosity is not a one-time act but a way of life. He illuminated the streets of Umuobasi with solar-powered lights, banishing darkness and improving security.
Each act of kindness has rippled outward, creating jobs, supporting small businesses, lifting burdens, and inspiring hope. As Albert Einstein once said, “The value of a man resides in what he gives.” Chief Achu embodies this truth.
Chief Nwabunna Achu has also supported various community development projects, healthcare initiatives, and efforts to alleviate poverty. A couple of years ago, he handed over some completed bungalows to some indigents in the society, a project he has almost turned into a regular ritual.
Akubuilo is still touching lives across the nooks and crannies of Mbala with his sincere commitment to the progress and growth of the community, always attending to the needs and desires of the less privileged in society.
His passion for making a difference is evident in his tireless work to uplift the lives of those in need. And his story serves as an inspiration to others, a reminder that success can be measured not only by personal achievements but also by the positive change one can bring to the lives of others.
A Living Legacy in His Time
It is easy to mistake philanthropy for charity, but Chief Achu’s vision goes far deeper. He is not just giving handouts; he is investing in the long-term prosperity and dignity of his people. That is why many describe him as a “moving monument of thoughtfulness”—a man whose heart beats in rhythm with the struggles and aspirations of his community.
From powering his community with streetlights, to empowering youths with tools for economic survival, and now to gifting his people clean water, Chief Nwabunna Achu is redefining what it means to be wealthy.
He lives out the philosophy of Maya Angelou, who said: “In minor ways we differ, but in major, we are the same.” His wealth is not just counted in naira and kobo, but in lives touched and destinies transformed.
Lighting the Path Forward
From powering his community with streetlights, to empowering youths with tools for economic survival, and now to gifting his people clean water, Chief Nwabunna Achu is redefining what it means to be wealthy. His latest borehole project, powered by a giant Lister generator, stands as a towering testament to his resolve to meet the most basic human need—clean, safe water.
And so, in Umuobasi, in Mbala, and across Isuochi, when stories of kindness are told, one name is lifted with gratitude and pride: Chief Nwabunna Achu (Akubuilo 1), the man who gave his people water, and with it, health, hope, and a brighter tomorrow.