Emma Elekwa, Onitsha
No fewer than 110 mentally challenged persons have been treated, rehabilitated and rejoined with their different families at the Home for the Mentally Challenged, Nteje, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State since its establishment in 2015.
Wife of the state governor, Chief Ebelechukwu Obiano disclosed this weekend while formally handing over ten inmates of the centre, comprising of four women and six men, including a teenage boy to their respective families.
She restated the determination of her non governmental organisation, the Caring Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFE) in giving hope to the less privileged and her belief in the core values of sharing.
She acknowledged the support of Governor Willie Obiano towards the running of the centre which she noted has been remarkable to the survival of the home.
Describing the centre as her brainchild, the first lady appealed to the people of the state to reach out to the inmates of the centre with donations in view of the enormous demands of the centre, especially in the area of feeding.
She also commissioned the centre’s refurbished Sickbay, with a supervising doctor, targeted at giving the inmates and their caregivers access to healthcare, as well as skill acquisition.
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Speaker, Anambra State House Assembly, Uchenna Okafor applauded the Governor’s wife for setting an example of charity through her NGO, CAFE, pledging the support of the legislative arm to the home.
In his remarks, Nonso Okafor, Member Representing Nnewi North at the State House of Assembly, who doubles as the Chairman House Committee on Gender Affairs pledged to build a new house for a widow in his constituency in emulation of the Governor’s wife.
On his part, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr Uchenna Okafor and his Health counterpart, Dr Vincent Okpala described the success of the centre as perfect reflection of Chief Dr Obiano’s life as a pillar of benevolence.
Commissioner for Public Utilities, Engr. Emeka Ezenwanne, also announced Governor Willie Obiano’s approval of a budget for the immediate installation of electric transformer and 50 KVA generators in the home.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Women and Children Affairs, Lady Ndidi Mezue expressed joy over the geometric increase in the number of inmates the centre had witnessed, attributing it to constant relocation of mentally challenged persons from the streets by the Ministry.
She praised the Mrs Obiano for using her NGO to feed and cloth more than 88 inmates of the home.
One of the rehabilitated inmates, Mrs Chinyere Egolum from Nise, Awka-South Council Area, appreciated the state government for giving meaning to their lives.
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