Obiano’s Wife Builds House For Homeless Widow In Anambra

Raymond Ozoji, Awka

The wife of Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano, has urged Anambra people to be their brothers and sisters keepers by helping the less privileged in the society.

Mrs Obiano made the plea at the commissioning of 2-Bedroom bungalow built for a widow at Umudioka Awka-south local govermment area Anambra State.

The building project was spearheaded by the Transition Chairman of Awka South Council Area, Sir Leo Nwuba, to assist Mrs. Roseline Anene who on March 2018 successfully recovered and was rehabilitated at the Nteje home for mentally challenged.

Mrs. Anene who was declared missing and presumed dead by her family, was reunited with them after 35 years. The Nteje facility is managed by Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ), NGO of the wife of the governor in collaboration with the state Ministry of Women Affairs.

Presenting the keys of the house to the sixty-seven year mother of two,  Mrs Obiano commended the Chairman for taking after CAFÉ example and providing a house for Mrs. Anene. She described the story of Mrs. Anene, whom everyone thought was Yoruba because she normally speaks the language with her whenever she visits, as touching and heart-rending.

She recounted the woman’s story after being picked-up and taken to the Nteje home where she successfully responded to treatment before eventually revealing that she is from Umudioka in Awka South Council Area.

The Governor’s wife further implored well-to-do individuals to take a leaf from such benevolence, stressing that history never forgets those that give kind-heartedly.

She also called on the people to avoid stigmatization of those who previously had physical or mental challenges so as to help them get properly re-integrated in the society.  She also pledged to furnish the living room of the house with two beds, a set of furniture and two standing fans.

Earlier, Hon. Leo  Nwuba commended Mrs Obiano for the successful treatment and rehabilitation of Mrs. Anene, noting that her work of charity inspired him to support the widow in line with what CAFÉ is doing across Anambra State. He pledged to cater for the feeding costs of the beneficiary for one week.

In their remarks, the Member representing Awka South One Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Dr. Nnamdi Okafor, and his Orumba South counterpart, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu, the Commissioner for Social, Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue, as well as the Commissioner for Transport, Hon Charles Uche Okafor, commended Mrs Obiano for giving the less privileged reason to smile through her many charitable deeds. They also thanked the Chairman for the free house built and donated to the widow. Hon Okafor, also pledged to furnish the house with chairs and electronics.

In her reaction, Mrs Anene said that the governor’s wife had written a story that would be told over generations and thanked the Chairman for providing her a place to live. Her son, Mr. Chukwudi Anene, equally thanked Mrs Obiano and everyone and noted that the reunion with his mother has changed his life for the better.

Mrs Obiano To Build Old People’s Homes

Meanwhile, it was a carnival of sorts at Onitsha North and South Local Government headquarters Thursday as the wife of Governor of Anambra State, Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu Obiano (Osodieme) arrived for annual empowerment tour of communities in the respective councils to rousing reception and cultural displays by dance troupes.

The Community tour is an outreach programme embarked upon in collaboration with the state Ministry of Social, Children and Women Affairs targeted at indigent women, the physically challenged and children in the twenty-one local Government Areas of Anambra State.

Speaking at Onitsha South Council headquarters, Osodieme said the Obiano administration would never compromise on the interest and wellbeing of ndi Anambra.

She said, “I can attest that the Willie Obiano-led government is bent on building a lifetime legacy in service of our people. That is why he is working to fulfill on promises made to ndi Anambra. He cannot abandon you because you are part of history that made him the 21-over-21 Governor when he won in all the twenty-one local governments of Anambra state.”

In the same vein at Onitsha North headquarters, Osodieme restated her earlier promise to build old people’s homes across the three senatorial districts of Anambra State announcing that the foundation stones for the homes would be laid soon. She pledged to sustain the work of her NGO, Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) by touching the lives of the needy across the state and where it mattered.

Furthermore, Osodieme emphasized the importance of maternal and childcare and called on pregnant and nursing mothers to make use of medical provisions at the health centres. She also thanked the people of the Council areas for the wonderful reception and urged them to continue supporting the government programmes.

In her remarks,  a member representing Orumba South Constituency at the State House of Assembly and Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs, Princess Nikky Ugochukwu, said that Osodieme’s annual tour of communities has become a source of good tidings for many women and called on the people to support her efforts and that of the government.

Also, Honourable Beverly Nkem Ikpeazu, representing Onitsha South two constituency commended Osodieme for sustaining her amazing philanthropy for the benefit of ndi Anambra and thanked her for coming to Onitsha South.  Also the member representing Onitsha South one Constituency, Honourable Patrick Aniuno thanked Osodieme for being the mother to all in Anambra, without segregation.

At Onitsha North Council headquarters, the Commissioner for Indigenous Artwork, tourism and Culture, Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, espoused the virtues of Osodieme as an exemplary woman who has made it possible for other women to play active role through her husband, the governor of Anambra State. She thanked Osodieme for her charitable heart and called on residents of Onitsha North to continue to support the Obiano administration.

Earlier, the Transition Chairman of Onitsha South, Prince Jerry Asoanya, said the advent of the Obiano government has given Onitsha city the best gift of peace and tranquility like never before and recounted the ugly past years when dare-devil robbers ravaged the city and its environs. On his part, the Transition Chairman of Onitsha North Council Area, Chief Patrick Aghamba, said that governor Obiano’s giant strides in community development, youth empowerment, agricultural and education are proofs of governance predicated on the wellbeing of the people.

The Governor’s wife also presented bags of rice, school bags, exercise books, and mosquito nets to indigent widows and physically challenged at the event.