The despair of orphanage gave way as Imo State Deputy Governor Eze Madumere celebrated with inmates, reports OKODILI NDIDI
The gloom of orphanage gave way as Imo State Deputy Governor Prince Eze Madumere visited. The young inmates aged between one and three years broke into a dance, and then sat down to dine with their august visitor.
Such a moment is rare at orphanages. But at the Red Cross Orphanage in Owerri, the Imo State capital, Madumere’s call changed almost everything. Most of the children drew sympathy from the visitors, some of whom hugged the young inmates amid tears. But for the children, it was one of those rare occasions when they were treated to uncommon meals and extraordinary love. They were indeed lost in the aura of the moment.
The feeble dance steps of the youngsters kept the visitors rolling in laughter.
It was all happening on Prince Eze Madumere’s 52nd birthday anniversary.
In the last 12 years, long before he became the Deputy Governor, this birthday celebration with the orphans had become a sort of annual ritual which Madumere religiously observed.
Unlike birthday anniversaries of highly placed and well-to-do Nigerians, the occasion was devoid of expensive wines, exotic gifts and loud political wishes but laced with love and care for the needy.
To observe the sanctity of the occasion, the crowd that accompanied the Deputy Governor to the event was a select few made up of his personal aides and immediate family members.
Speaking at the occasion, the Deputy Governor stated that the ‘special children’ who are found in various homes and other public social homes are not there on choice but as victims of circumstances they have no control over.
While thanking God for his mercies, grace and protection, Madumere called on Nigerians to cultivate the idea of donating to the less privileged and other Nigerians who cannot help themselves.
He also urged Nigerians to make periodic visits to motherless babies’ homes or displaced persons camps to save them from untold hardship.
He said, “I have been doing this in the last 12 years even before I became the Deputy Governor. And as a result of this covenant God has always seen me through every challenge that comes my way.”
He said that he chose to celebrate with the orphans and spare a thought for the IDPs on this year’s anniversary because it is a way of showing gratitude to God and giving back to the society.
The state Vice Chairman of the Red Cross, Prince Keke Chima, commended the Deputy Governor for choosing to celebrate with the downtrodden.
“For you to have chosen to celebrate the greatest moment of your life with inmates of this orphanage you should be commended,” he said.
“And not just coming here today, you have kept faith with this annual ritual since the past 12 years. We want to thank you and pray God to continue to keep you and reward you”.