Nollywood actress Rachel Okonkwo, popularly known as “Nkoli Nwa Nsukka,” has distributed food items to 500 widows and provided free medical treatment to more than 5,000 patients in Nsukka, Enugu State.
Okonkwo carried out the interventions as part of activities marking the eighth edition of her annual “Nkoli Mega Carnival Season,” held at the Nsukka Central Stadium on Sunday.
Speaking at the event, the actress said the initiative was inspired by her childhood experience with poverty and her desire to support vulnerable members of society.
“I came from nothing. I didn’t have any legacy to leverage on, and I didn’t have any rich uncle or aunt.
“My father died when I was 13 years old, so I understand what it means not to have your next meal or school fees,” she said.
Okonkwo said her personal experience of hardship had made her understand the struggles faced by people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
“I therefore know what people in my shoes are going through, and that made me start this initiative,” she said.
She explained that the program, which traditionally holds on Easter Sunday, was suspended in 2023 due to the rising cost of goods and services but was revived in 2026 after she felt compelled to restart it.
The actress urged young people not to let their backgrounds determine their future, stressing that resilience, focus, and determination could help them succeed.
She described the 2026 edition as overwhelming, noting that it was the first time the carnival featured a medical outreach.
“Our partnership with Franklin Junior Foundation enabled the program to reach thousands of people with free healthcare,” she said.
David Ofogba, Director of Programs at the US-based Franklin Junior Foundation, said the organization partnered with Okonkwo to provide free healthcare to residents of Nsukka.
He said the foundation also donated wheelchairs, walking aids and medications to beneficiaries, adding that more than 5,000 patients had been treated since the commencement of the outreach.
The Enugu State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Ugochi Madueke, commended Okonkwo for using her platform to give back to society.
Madueke described the actress as a “worthy daughter and ambassador of Enugu,” saying her initiative was worthy of emulation.
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One of the beneficiaries, Ngozika Ugwu, expressed appreciation for the medical assistance and prayed for God to bless and reward Okonkwo for her generosity.
The food items distributed included 500 bags of 10kg rice, 500 cartons of tomato paste, cartons of Indomie noodles, school bags and children’s clothing, among others.
