–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:
The 05 Initiative, a pet project of Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa, wife of Delta State Governor has sustained its celebration of orphans in Delta State to mark the World Orphans Day 2020.
The O5 Initiative, through its founder, Dame Okowa reached out to 48 registered orphanages and five families with adopted children in the state with various food items.
The low-key event which held at the Office of the Wife of Governor, Founder 05 Initiative, Government House Asaba on Monday, November 09, 2020 attracted the care-givers of the benefitting orphanages across the state, officials of 05 Initiative and few dignitaries.
An address signed and presented by Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa reads:
“It is with great joy that I welcome you to the 2020 World Orphans Day set aside by the United Nations. This is in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta who spent her life looking after the poor.
“The celebration which is billed for every second Monday in November is to raise awareness of the plight of Orphans, and to re-evaluate the way we treat the children around us especially the ones that are not our biological children. Most of them have lost both parents and it is no fault of theirs, some their parents are poor leaving them in an extremely vulnerable society.
“We have gathered here today to reason together and chat a new course on how to give our orphans a meaningful life. As we are aware, every child has a right to sound education, a right to protection and a right to a good life, but it is quite unfortunate to hear of daily happenings around us. Where a supposed mother who has a ten year old maid flogs the child with bleeding scars, will you mete this type of treatment to your own Child?
“Why am I particular about mothers? It is our God given responsibility to care for those living with us, therefore we should be mindful of the way we treat other people’s Children, because we will not always be where children are are.
“The issue of the care of Orphans is of immense importance to the O5 Initiative. For the past five years, we have worked with Care Givers in registered Orphanages across the state. This year has introduced a new way of life due to the Pandemic but it has not stopped us from attending regularly to the needs of our Children at the orphanages
“This year’s celebration will not be different, provision has been made for forty eight registered Orphanages and five adopted families including the Quintuplet (five girls). This is in fulfilment of our mission to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the homeless.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate our care givers for their constant love and care for my Children; It is indeed a huge task. I urge you to keep up the good work, do not forget to teach them in the way and the fear of the Lord; your labour of Love will be rewarded in due season.
“I thank God for providing the resources through our partners; individuals and corporate organizations, thank you for supporting the O5Vision. God bless you.
“Finally, my charge to us this morning is that we should look around, there is a helpless Child who needs love; I plead with you to sow the seed of kindness by this you are paving an easy path for your own Children. Go the extra mile, give that child many reasons to live and let us together Change our world One Person At A Time.”
One of the caregivers who received items on behalf of Paracletan Orphanage Home, Okutugbo, Okpanam, Rev. Mother Lauretta Ilechukwu, expressed gratitude for the wonderful work done by Her Excellency, Dame Edith Okowa and asked God to bless her and all those who contribute to the needy in the society.
