No doubt, charity runs in the blood of the Obianos. Few days ago, Governor Willie Obiano announced that Anambra State Government would pay the bills for the medical treatment of all the victims of the accident, which occurred on Friday, June 4, 2021, at the Akwata Junction in Awka when the driver of a truck filled with cows lost control and killed many persons and damaged some vehicles. His wife, Osodieme, almost the same period, empowered persons trained by CAFE, under different skill-based vocations.
The three hundred persons, mostly indigent women, widows, youths and the physically challenged, had undergone a five-week intensive training at the Chike Okoli Centre for Entrepreneurship Studies, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. They were trained on Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy; Bead Making; Soap Making; Bakery and Confectionery; Tailoring and Fashion Design; Information and Communication Technology, among others. The 300 persons went home with start-up tools and capital for each of their designated skill areas and cash to ferry their equipment home.
It is a thing of joy that Chief Dr. Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, despite the current economic downturn, orchestrated by COVID-19 pandemic, which has made both training and empowerment costlier, her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), has continued to empower the down trodden in the society, which, according to her, is to give the beneficiaries a practical starting point.
No doubt, the governor’s wife has exhibited a lifetime charity example. Osodieme’s penchant for benevolence is a show of passion; the gesture is a socio-economic liberation with expectation. The biggest life’s investment is equipping humanity to cater for itself independently, a vision the governor’s wife has lived for.
The current beneficiaries, the twelfth batch, bring the number of persons trained and empowered so far by CAFÉ to five thousand five hundred.
Osodieme, like Mother Theresa, is a woman who ascended to mountaintops, found the loftiest peaks, most wrapped in clouds and snow; she then found the surpassed and subdued mankind and looked down on the hate of those below. Thus, by her NGO, Dr Mrs Obiano has built many brand new bungalows, equipped with bedding, furniture, bore holes, with over-head tanks and generators and handed over to indigent widows across Anambra State.
Founded on the wings of passion for helping the needy, CAFÉ has, so far, etched its name in gold in the pantheon of charitable organizations. Driven by an unusual compassion and belief in the remarkable thoughts of John Bunyan’s in The Pilgrim’s Progress: “You have not lived today, until you have done something for someone who can never repay you,” Osodieme has used the CAFÉ platform to expand the frontiers of charitable giving like never seen before in these paths.
Mama Anambra has promoted hygiene and the dignity of women with campaign to stop Open Defecation and has constructed several modern public toilets in markets across the State. Also, Osodieme has completed many water borehole projects to complement government efforts in water supply and hygiene.
In fact, the positive impact of the water projects attracted global recognitions and partnerships with reputable organizations to CAFE and appreciations of Dr. Mrs. Obiano’s charitable initiatives with conferment of awards as EU/UNICEF Water Health and Sanitation (WASH) Ambassador, as well as United Nations Peace Ambassador.
Furthermore, Osodieme has facilitated free corrective surgeries for over 200 children and persons with congenital mouth disorders of Cleft lip and Cleft palate. In recognition of her selfless services through CAFÉ to cleft care, Mrs Obiano was made Smile Train Ambassador. CAFÉ has also provided over 3,000 physically challenged persons with prosthetic limbs and mobility aides.
In collaboration with the state Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, CAFÉ has successfully treated and repatriated back home over 120 cases of mentally challenged persons at its 77-bed facility at Nteje, thus ridding Anambra streets of stray mentally challenged persons. These and more, stand out Chief Dr Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, Osodieme as the Mother Theresa of our Time. Osodieme, Mama Anambra Daalu olu ooo!
WRITTEN BY BARR. CHUKS EZEWUZIE
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