A Plea to Those Wishing to Place Congratulatory Birthday Advertisements During Gov. Willie Obiano 63rd Birthday on August 8.

  1. As Governor Willie Maduabrochukwu Obiano of Anambra State marks (not celebrate) his 63rd birthday ‪on August 8‬, a lot of individuals and groups, including media organizations, have been approaching him, his family, associates and top officials of Anambra State government to place advertisements in the mass media congratulating Chief Obiano on his birthday.
  2. Both Governor Obiano and the Anambra State government appreciate this voluntary show of love and solidarity. We are pleased that an almost countless number of persons, communities and groups not only in Anambra State but throughout the country and even beyond are satisfied with the governor’s performance in the last five years and are willing to contribute significant amounts of money to demonstrate their affection.
  3. Chief Obiano has, however, counselled that these well wishers should rather pray for him and Anambra State. The well wishers willing to spend various amounts of money to pay for the goodwill wishes in the mass media are advised to channel the various amounts to any charity of their choice. They are encouraged however to donate in particular to the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), a nongovernment organization founded by the Wife of the Governor of Anambra State, Chief Dr. Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme).
  4. CAFE has been involved deeply in a lot of charity work, including building houses for widows across the state and provision of artificial limbs to those who need but cannot afford them, as well as free treatment of persons with cleft palate and cleft lips at Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka, and Nnamdi Azikiwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.
  5. Money donated by members of the public in connection with the 63rd birthday of Governor Obiano will be used for the treatment of mentally challenged people at the home in Nteje, and in the enhancement of their welfare. Experience and research have shown that though mentally challenged persons are just like other patients, they face acute discrimination in society, including from family members and friends. Even when they have been treated successfully, they still face discrimination. In other words, they face worse than double jeopardy in our society. One of the consequences is that people do not consult psychologists and psychiatrists when initial signs of sustained emotional instability are observed, leading to a terrible deterioration of their health status.
  6. Governor Obiano is using the occasion of his 63rd birthday anniversary to call public attention to the plight of people with mental illness and requests public spirited individuals and groups to donate generously to their cause. God loves cheerful givers, as the Holy Bible tells us in 2nd Corinthians, Chapter 9 Verses 6 and 7. God commands us to show love to one another because we cannot claim to love him, whom we have never seen, when we do not love fellow human beings whom we see ( Ist John Chapter 4, Verse 20). This demonstration of solidarity with the human family has to start with our relationship with the less privileged members of society.
  7. It is incumbent on all Ndi Anambra and, indeed, all Nigerians to work towards a more humane society. Building a more caring society is a practical way of serving both our God and the human race.

God bless Anambra State, the Light of the Nation.

Signed

C. Don Adinuba
Commissioner for Information & Public Enlightenment.

Related posts:

  1. Anambra Assembly Felicitates With Obiano At 64
  2. Obiano, Igwe Achebe, Others For Anambra Compendium Presentation On October 1
  3. Obiano Commissions Remodelled DMGS Roundabout At Onitsha
  4. Obiano Urges Workers, Others To Subscribe To State Health insurance Scheme