A woman endowed with the virtue of charity is one who feels deeply and loves fiercely. A woman of charity is both soft and powerful; she is both practical and spiritual. She loves, cares, forgives, perseveres and feels the pulse of others, especially the down trodden.

Such was the case of an erudite amazon, Mrs Martina Chinyere Enidom, an epitome of beauty, wisdom, intelligence, humility and stardom. Born in 1927, Mrs. Martina Chinyere Enidom was the first child of Mr. Lawrence and Mrs Virginia Muozoba (now late) of Eziaja village, Neni. Young Martina was basically raised up by her grandmother, Mrs. Obianugha Muozoba.

Martina got married to her heartthrob, Mr. Matthew Enujiekwu Enidom, an only son and a policeman in 1944. The marriage was blessed with 10 children [five boys and five girls], although six are alive – Mrs Felicia Ezeani; Mrs Rita Ezeadikwa; Architect Chukwuemeka Enidom; Mrs Ify Ajulufor; Mrs Nkemdilim Obidiako and Engineer Paul Enidom. Her husband died when she was barely 40 years. Thus, as a dogged and hardworking woman and God being on her side, Mrs. Martina Chinyere Enidom raised her children alone.

Knowledge, they say is power. Hence, Mrs Martina Chinyere Enidom’s zeal to acquire knowledge compelled her to register as an adult education student at Onitsha, where, as a brilliant woman, she obtained her West African School Certificate, WASC in flying colours about thirteen years ago. Hard work, she would always say, never kills but pays.

Mrs Martina Chinyere Enidom believed that charity brings to life again those who are spiritually dead. Her spirit of charity would see her home as a pilgrimage for the sick that she would bring in, treat and nurse till they were healed. From her trivial stipend, she would pay school fees for the indigent and the hoi-poloi in the society. Mama was a consistent giver and she imbibed in her children the art of charity and self-denial to satisfy others. Mama simply taught them that charity is kind; it is not easily provoked, it thinks no evil, believes all things and hopes all things.

And so, Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation (MCEF) was conceptualized in her name. MCEF is a lifelong conceived charity for vulnerable and less privileged youths to provide an otherwise rare opportunity to acquire education or obtain finance to establish a proactive viable entrepreneurial venture.

Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation was conceived to appreciate the determination, resilience, effort, patience, sacrifice and foresight of a mother who, in spite of her disadvantaged challenging background and arduous circumstances, believed that there was hopeful tomorrow for indigent children.

The Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation was registered and unveiled in 2014 to contribute its quota in the development of education in the state. Although its main focus has been in giving scholarships to deserving students in secondary and tertiary levels, the foundation also helps out in very critical needs of schools, where necessary.

So far, Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation has accomplished a lot such as: construction of computer block and fencing and installation of gate at Nri Primary School Neni, costing above six million naira. There is also ongoing construction of executive toilet in the school as well as running two-hour classes for best 5 pupils in primaries 3, 4 and 5, in not just Nri Primary School Neni, but the other 6 Primary Schools in the community. Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation hired a teacher per school to handle the pupils in only Mathematics and English, and pay #15,000 per month per teacher.

At the Flora Azikiwe Secondary School, Neni, Martina Chinyere Enidom Foundation is tiling the hall and principal’s Office. MCEF equally hired 5 critical Staff for the school. They are paying their salaries, #150,000 monthly. Their contribution is one of the reasons for awards the school achieved in recent years. About 3.6 million naira is released annually for payment of scholarship to 62 deserving students in Secondary Schools, while 16 undergraduates are in 7 universities gulping about 2.2 million naira annually.

On capacity building, every year MCEF spends about 3 million naira for teachers and students seminars and lots more.

A dexterous and multitalented woman, Martina Chinyere Enidom trained as a seamstress, a baker, a teacher and a trader. In all these, she was a renowned counselor and a certified adviser. Ezinne Martina was one of the founding members of National Council of Women Societies in Anaocha LGA.

Ezinne, adieu!

WRITTEN BY ARC. CHUKWUEMEKA ENIDOM

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