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Tag: needy

  • ‘My inspiration to help the needy is from God’

    ‘My inspiration to help the needy is from God’

    Dr. Tola Olukilede, an apostle of the Covenant Practice and founder Heal the World Mission & Tola Olukilede Ministries International in this interview with Gboyega Alaka shares the story of his 26-year old ministry of helping the poor and the needy, which he said was precipitated by one divine call one lonely afternoon.

    Nine out of ten people who meet or encounter Apostle Tola Olukilede are most likely going to walk past him without a second look. That’s because he comes across as very unassuming. But in that unassuming man lies abundant wealth and an even more abundant heart of giving.

    For 26 years, Tola Olukilede, with the support of his wife has run Heal the World Mission & Tola Olukilede Ministries International, a ministry committed to charity, with particular focus on helping the needy, caring for the sick and assisting the indigent to access education.

    Opening up on the activities of the ministry during a recent interaction with a select group of journalists in Lagos, Apostle Olukilede listed the ministries activities to include:  providing food for the poor and the helpless every month; providing accommodation for the homeless; providing school-life scholarship for orphans and indigent students in Nigeria and across Africa and paying hospital bills of sick people in LASUTH and other hospitals across the country every month.

    In addition, the organisation supports orphanage homes, providing them with foodstuff or packs of food every month; assists widows to set up business ventures for survival and progress and carries out skills acquisition/empowerment programmes twice a year.

    The organisation has trained about 150 people this year alone.

    Remarkably, the ministry has also attracted partners, 20, at the last count, who have generously supported its good work. This was as at the end of the reporting period, which is half of the year 2022/2023.

    “During the 2022/2023 session, a total of N1,915,000 was realised through the collective efforts of our partners,” he gratefully announced.

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    But as founder, he also contributed a whopping N5milion.

    Notably, he also announced a proposed scholarship payment of N6,543,300 for the year 2023/2024 session.To be able to do more, Apostle Olukilede is calling on well-meaning Nigerians with similar interest and value of generosity to partner with the ministry.

    This, he said is not because he is getting tired. “The reason we’re asking people to come and join us is for their own benefits too, because no one can take money to heaven. When you die, and the money is in the bank, even your next of kin, as we learnt recently, cannot access it if you don’t have your POD (Pay on Death). So while you’re here, why not use that money to touch lives. I don’t have a church, because God did not tell me to go and establish a church.”But who is Apostle (Dr.) Tola Olukilede? Not many people could undertake all that he has outlined or dole out N5million in the name of charity or giving back, this reporter reasoned.

    Surprisingly, Olukilede was direct in his reply.

    “I am wealthy, I am blessed; it’s just that I don’t make any noise about it. If somebody is not wealthy, he cannot bring out five million naira to help the needy, and cannot continue to give for such a long time. I actually spend more than that,” he corrected.

    To validate his claim, he said, “I have a 70-acre farm in Owode, Ogun State. I also have an automobile company, a workshop attached to Toyota Nigeria; and I have a printing press among other businesses, even in America.”

    Yet he proudly announced that he still works with a company, Toyota Nigeria, and earns a salary.

    Working under a company and doing so much? Isn’t he worried he could run into trouble with the management?

    His short answer was: “Who could send Joseph out? My company knows me; they know what I’m doing and they know I’m a blessing to them.”

    According to him, he has always been open, never hidden anything from his boss, even inviting him to come and dedicate the first house he built back in 2004.

    That openness, he said, so impress his boss that he instantly supported him massively in building another house.

    “The first jeep I bought, he was the one who bought it for me… Even when I told him I was building a workshop and that I wanted to partner with another company, he called me and said, ‘why can’t you partner with our company?’ That was how I became the only staff of that company who was also appointed as a partner. When you’re walking in line with God and doing His will, you’re on safe ground.”

    So what inspired his ministry of giving?

    “I was privileged to be called. I left the University of Ibadan in 1984, but I didn’t get a job until 1997. So I was suffering. In the process, I gave my life to Christ. Shortly after that, I was meditating and praying for God to give me a job one day; I was the only one in that flat, which I was sharing with someone, and I had a call clearly. God said to me: ‘I’m sending you to go and be a blessing to the helpless.’  But of course, one can’t be a help to the helpless, when he himself is suffering. And that was how the journey started. That 1997, God said to me: ‘Go and get a wife’; because I was overdue for a wife. I was 35. So, I obeyed Him. One way or the other I met my wife. But the beauty of it all, and to show that God is faithful is that one week after our wedding, I got a job to work where I am still working till today. Since then, I’ve grown in that company to become an Assistant General Manager and head of a department. And since the day I got married, I’ve never had a better last year.”

    Since he got this job, Olukilede says, “Whatever income that comes to me, I take it that God gave it to me to be a blessing to people. And the more I spend, the more I get more opportunities, the more I get more blessing, because that is what God says. So, my inspiration is from God. I remember when I got my first salary; all I did was remove my tithe, feeding and other necessities, then I gave the rest to somebody to go to hospitals in Otta, because I live in Sango (Ogun State), to go and pray for patients and settle their bills. That was what I did for the first one and half year of my working career.”

    Olukilede is also a member of the Lions Club.”

  • School unveils scholarship scheme for the needy

    Lagooz School is offering indigent children both in Nigeria and in any African country the opportunity to get educated through scholarship.

    Officials of Yomi Otubela Foundation made this known at a briefing held in Lagooz Schools, near NYSC Camp at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

    Yomi Otubela, the Proprietor of Lagooz Schools, said the foundation cuts across all religions, with the aim of providing educational support via varying scholarship and training programmes to empower indigent people, thereby engendering positive change in Nigeria and Africa.

    Otubela explained the procedures that would see to the emergence of six beneficiaries.

    He said: “The students will be exposed to mathematics and English Language examinations in computer-based test (CBT) and in written form. The second stage is that they will come for an oral test, oral interview to determine the level of their needs. The scholarship is made for indigent children and not those who have parents that are making income. It is meant for those whose parents are incapacitated, or orphans.”

    Otubela noted that registration had already kicked off, and would end on March 20, adding that interested candidiates could log on the foundation’s website: www.yomiotubelafoundation.org.

    He added that the forms could be downloaded free online, while exam would hold at the school premises on Saturday, march 24 at 9a.m.

    The scholarship form is free. The  six students will be picked on merit, he said.

    Otubela said the scholarships cut across Primary IV to SS2 category, while that of the tertiary institution covers universities. The scholarships is for both day and boarding, covering books, tuition, feeding and boarding fee.

     

  • In service of the needy

    Succour has come the way of six physically challenged persons in Ebonyi State courtesy of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), reports OGOCHUKWU ANIOKE.

    It was red-letter day for six disabled persons in Ebonyi State, Nwali Benjamin, Nwafor Kingsley, Okorie Chimezie, Obiya Friday and Eze Nwaelebe as the state National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) distributed six wheelchairs to them.

    They had no hope of getting wheelchairs to enhance their mobility. They always crawled, eliciting sympathy from members of the public. Perhaps, this was why the state NYSC came to their rescue by donating wheelchairs to them.

    Handing over the wheelchairs to the beneficiaries at the Ebonyi State Secretariat of NYSC, Abakaliki, the State Coordinator, Mrs. Iluebbey Regina said the initiative was intended to impact positively on the lives of the poor and physically challenged persons in the society.

    “We decided to assist these physically challenged persons to support their mobility because they suffer a lot when they want to move around and we hope that these wheelchairs we have donated to them will reduce their suffering. This donation is the first of its kind in the NYSC. We will continue to assist the physically challenged and the poor in the society,” she said.

    She called on the beneficiaries to put in extra care and effort to maintain the wheelchairs to ensure its durability as the NYSC scheme and its partners have put in a lot of painstaking effort for the acquisition of the wheelchairs.

    According to her, the NYSC will continue to reach out to the physically challenged persons in the state, adding that the wheelchairs would greatly enhance the mobility and wellbeing of the beneficiaries.

    The Assistant Director, Corps Welfare and Health Services, Dr. Nweze Don Udo stated that the beneficiaries were identified while carrying out free medical services to rural communities across the state, assuring that other physically challenged persons would benefit in the near future.

    “We were carrying out free medical services across the 13 local government areas of the state when we saw the beneficiaries. Their condition is so pathetic that we resolved to donate these wheelchairs to them and we call on public-spirited individuals, government at all levels, corporate organisations and non-governmental organisations to join us in assisting the less privileged in the society,” he said.

    One of the beneficiaries, Benjamin Nwali thanked the NYSC for providing them with the wheelchairs not minding the present economic recession facing the country.

    He said, “What the NYSC did to me and my colleagues will not be forgotten in our lives. Most of us have no means of moving around before the NYSC donated the wheelchairs to us and we are very grateful to them. With these wheelchairs, we can move around like our other colleagues, we can do things that lack of mobility hindered us in the past. This NYSC gesture is a very big help to us.”

  • A lift for the needy in Anambra

    A lift for the needy in Anambra

    Indigent members of Awada community, a suburb of Onitsha in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, were in frenzy as succour came for them.

    Food and other items bought by the officials of Daniel Bob Global Foundation (DBGF) for the widows, widowers and less privileged were distributed to them.

    Entire streets of the community were blocked, making it difficult for human and vehicular movement.

    The event took place on the premises of Sedes Sapientiae Nursery and Primary School.

    At about 12pm on that sunny day, many of the residents had already settled in the venue with beautiful dresses that could pass for Christmas attire.

    Students and pupils from various secondary and primary schools in the community were all in attendance, neatly dressed in their uniforms.

    The international foundation came with various food items which included but not limited to several bags of rice, over 50 cartons of noodles, educational materials, dozens of exercise books, sports wear, as well as monetary packages which they donated to the indigent citizens of the area.

    According to them, those provisions were part of the organisation’s activities executed with targets at giving lifeline to indigent people.

    The benefitting schools were: Divine Foundation, Blessed Kids, Glasul Divine, Sure Foundation, Bright Future, Mother Care Kiddies Academy, Favoured Children British Academy, and Sedes Sapientiae Nursery/Primary Schools among others.

    The founder of the foundation, Chief Daniel Orji, said the organisation was borne out of his burning desire to extend the milk of human kindness to the poor.

    He stressed that the passion to liberate and contribute maximally to the development of the society especially the people whose hope of a better living had been smashed by hardship was his signature aim.

    Orji said, “The essence of my visit to Awada today is to assist the less-privileged people, widows, widowers and all people that fall within that category who are going through very difficult situations.

    “We also made handsome donations to the school children in this environment; providing them with some educational materials and sports wears.

    “Daniel Bob Global Foundation was initiated by me because since my life, I like assisting people. It serves as a platform to get closer to the needy and provide them help. Our main objective is to bring hope to the hopeless and empower humanity in order to achieve their fullest potentials through skill acquisition and career development,” he said.

    Mr. God’s-time Robinson, a member of the board of trustees of the foundation, told The Nation that the group won’t relent in assisting the needy as it was the source of its joy.

    “The idea behind the establishment of this foundation is to give succour to the needy; to make those who are going through one difficulty or the other to understand that there will always be a way out of every situation.

    Little Miss Emmaculate Attah, who spoke on behalf of other pupils, commended the team for their kind gesture.

    She said the educational materials donated to them would go a long way in assisting their academic pursuits.

    However, the Manager of Sedes Sapientiae Nursery and Primary School, Awada, Rev. Fr. Vincent Ezenwaka, who spoke on behalf of the community, thanked the foundation for such a gesture.

  • Ooni’s wife plans big for the needy

    Like the full moon whose silvery light guides the traveller in the dark until he finds his way, Olori Wuraola Ogunwusi  is shining with undimmed brilliance. And she recognises the fact that shiny things are valued not because of themselves but for the light they give. So it is with people like Olori Wuraola, the beautiful wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi. The more they give to the society, the higher soars their reputation.

    The tender-hearted dame has made it a mission to turn the tears of the needy into smiles and their sorrow into laughter. Thus, Olori Wuraola Orphan Aid Project, the NGO she established for this purpose, has been bringing succour to the needy, especially in the South West.

    Her initiative is like a gust of fresh air sweeping through a stinking room. Under the House of Oduduwa Foundation, the Orphan Aid Project is planning a give-back concert for February 28 2017. The concert will see donors come together to provide funds that would be used in lifting the fortunes of up to 20 orphanages by renovating their structures and supplying some of their needs.

    The concert will also provide a platform for less-privileged individuals to showcase their overlooked talent. With the pedigree of Olori Wuraola and the calibre of musicians already pencilled down, the concert is sure to be a well-attended affair.

  • Ikpeazu’s wife cheers up the needy

    The wife of Abia State governor, Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu has lifted the spirits of the physically challenged in the state.

    She sponsored a badminton championship which featured athletes living with varying physical challenges. The sport is called para-badminton.

    The championship now in its third edition featured athletes from all over the country. It is called the Nkechi Ikpeazu National Open Parabadminton Championships.

    The event which held in Umuahia,  the state capital, gave the athletes a platform to practise a sport they loved despite their physical challenges.

    The governor’s wife said the current economic situation should not dampen their support for the development of sports in the country.

    Speaking at the Umuahia Township stadium venue of the three-day sports event, the sponsor Mrs. Ikpeazu said that Para-badminton is a new sport in the Olympics, which she has decided to promotie so that the country can win international recognition through it as well as improve on its medal hauls at the Olympics.

    Mrs Ikpeazu said that the current economic situation is affecting every strata of the country including the sporting world, stressing that the bad economy should not deter people who have the spirit to promote sport from doing what could help in rebuilding the economy and the country.

    She said, ”The current national economic state is seriously affecting sports development in Nigeria. We pray it will end soon so that our sporting community will once again thrive. Nevertheless I urge conglomerates and sports philanthropists to see this period as a challenge and do their best to keep our games alive.

    “Apart from this event I often sponsor our disabled athletes to several sports events all over the country. I am also a major sponsor of Abia Angels Female Premier League Club. Sports is in my blood and I love it”.

    In his reaction the state Comm-issioner for sports, Chief Chinwe Nwanganga said the event in Umuahia goes to buttress the fact that Abia is a major hub for sports development, pointing out that the state parades several champions in track, field and indoor sports while also boasting of being the only state with three premier League clubsides, Enyimba FC, Abia Warriors and Abia Angels FC.

    Also speaking, the National Coordinator of the Parabadminton Association of Nigeria, Mr Samuel Ekeoma said the competition has afforded the athletes the opportunity of staying fit while evaluating their performance against other athletes.

    Ekeoma emphasised the need for more support to be given to Parabadminton and other disabled sports, pointing out that Mrs. Ikpeazu has so far given the development of the game a desired push. He used the opportunity to challenge corporate bodies, individuals and state governments to emulate Mrs. Ikpeazu and support the growth of the games.

    He further revealed that para sports have remained the leading source of international laurels and recognition for Nigeria given the consistency of athletes in the various track, field and indoor events and called on the federal government and the Nigeria Olympic Committee to give more attention to the games.

    The Nkechi Ikpeazu National Open Para-badminton championship held at the indoor sports hall of Umuahia Township stadium, attracted athletes from 11 states of the country converged in Umuahia for the three-day sports competition. Ogun, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Kano, Kaduna, Imo, Delta, Edo, Kwara and host Abia.

    Reigning champion of men’s sitting category Dada Dixon from Delta State won the star match and took home a gold medal and cash prize courtesy from the sponsor, while a total of 26 winners in various categories of Gold, silver and bronze got medals with cash prizes while every athlete that participated in the competition received cash gifts all courtesy of Mrs. Ikpeazu.

    With the sponsorship of this competition, her backing of female premier league side Abia Angels Football club, and sponsorship of the state female public servants sports competition Nkechi Ikpeazu is gradually etching her name as a sports philanthropist.

  • LASU students rise up for the needy

    Some 200-Level students of the Lagos State University (LASU) took out time to show love and care to the aged, widows, and less privileged to commemorate the New Year.

    Winnifred Akanaga, Yusuf Nurudeen and Ibrahim Sodiq visited some communities in Ojo Local Government Area, including Kemberi Eleduwe at Okomaiko, Onireke, and Okoko Bus stop to lift the needy.

    Winnifred said it was borne out of their passion to help others.

    She explained that it was done under the auspices of her foundation, Winny’s Extending Love Foundation (WELF).

    A beneficiary simply called Iya Ologi, an old woman of about 80, thanked the students for their gesture.

    She received food items including rice, tomato pastes, seasoning and groundnut oil.

    Iya Ologi, who prayed on the students, said the items will last for some days.

  • Philanthropist donates work tools to the needy

    Philanthropist donates work tools to the needy

    Scores  of visually-impaired, the lame, hearing-impaired and those who have speech difficulty ambled to the Goldenpearls Estate in Ajah, Lagos, last Saturday. While buses conveyed some, others were led by their guides, and another set crawled their way into the estate having heard the good news.

    There was news getting the round that Dr Kelly Nwogu had resolved to empower some physically-challenged people. Also some destitute and people living with other forms of disabilities were said to be among those to benefit from the gesture.

    Any wonder would-be beneficiaries stormed the venue in an indescribable number. They learnt there were sewing machines, wheelchairs and hairdryers and other items to be distributed which were packed inside 4, Goldenpearls Estate, venue of the event.

    In the circumstances, the beneficiaries, who sauntered into the venue, took different sitting positions waiting for the arrival of their benefactor.

    The  event, which was slated for 10:00 a.m. didn’t begin until about 2:00 p.m., even though none of the physically-challenged persons, including the crippled who sat under the sun gave up hope.

    As soon as the philanthropist, Dr. Kelly Nwogu and his wife, Chijioke arrived at the venue, there was jubilation, with the physically-challenged persons singing his praises.

    After moving round to greet them, he apologised to them for coming behind the time scheduled for the event. He directed that those under the scorching sun should be moved to the canopies.

    Dr. Nwogu, a real estate developer, announced his plan to establish a national farm to be located at Nupe in Niger State for persons living with disabilities. He said he chose the area considering the fertility and richness of its soil.

    Describing himself as the “Voice of the Disabled”, he stated that he has initiated moves to raise N100 billion for small and medium-scale enterprises and agricultural projects for persons living with disabilities.

    The initiative, he said, was to not only give the beneficiaries a means of livelihood, but also to make them millionaires and employers of labour so that they can educate their children and by extension, reduce crime rate in the society.

    He said: “There are over 23 million people living with one form of disability or the other in Nigeria. I am an only child of a crippled woman and I know how tough it is to survive in such situation. That’s why I can’t keep quiet. Thank God I did and today, I feel the only way I can give back to society is by remembering them by all means possible.

    “These people have children who need to go to school and earn a decent living. Otherwise, they may turn to criminals, which would become a problem for the society. The society must make conscious effort to empower persons with disability and not just wave them off as useless.

    “I have given scholarships to children of persons with disability who can’t afford to send them to school and I will do more. Last week, I promised to give out sewing machines and hairdryers to some of the people who have learnt the skills but can’t afford them; we have the items here.

    “We would also give wheelchairs to some of our people here who do not have. These items are for Nigerians. We want to ensure that non-Nigerians do not come and own our farmlands. That’s why we ask for national identity cards.

    “Those I promised money to start up small business or pay school fees would also receive some amount of money. We must rise beyond the beggar mentality. You would own your own farmlands and employ people to work for you. Some of you would own your own businesses. We need to take our people off the streets and give them hope.

    “I am not the only one involved in this movement. I am just the Voice of the Disabled. I was late here because I went to the streets to get telephone numbers of people begging. Things are tough these days. Able bodied people are finding it difficult to feed themselves let alone persons with disability.”

    One of the beneficiaries, Gloria Nwajei, 37, a former weightlifter, who said she requested a sewing machine the previous week, thanked the donor for giving her N100,000 aside the sewing machine.

    She said: “I am married and have two children. My husband is crippled too. I used to be a weightlifter. But six months ago, I started learning tailoring and when Dr. Nwogu came to the National Stadium last week for an event, people were making requests. So, I appealed to him that I needed a sewing machine so that I can be sewing clothes to pay school fees for my children.

    “He promised to get it for me. And today, he gave me the sewing machine and also N100, 000 to pay my children’s school fees.

    “I am filled with joy and I pray that God will bless him continually. It is rare to see people like this remembering us. Most times, they pass us off as beggars and failures.  Most persons with disability beg because they don’t have another choice.”

    A para-soccer coach, Owolabi Odunyemi, who brought some of his players from the stadium urged the donor to help them actualise their dream of playing at the Olympics.

    He said: “My players believe he would help them achieve their dreams. I believe that too because I have never seen someone like him who goes out of his way to help persons with disability. He wants physically-challenged persons in Nigeria to develop like those in other climes. Other Nigerians should emulate him.”

  • Zakat group’s N1.2m for the needy in Abia

    Zakat group’s N1.2m for the needy in Abia

    A group known as Jaiz Zakat and WAQF Trust Fund has distributed the sum of N1.2 million and jobs items to indigent and vulnerable people in Abia State to enable them quit begging for alms and fend for themselves.

    Speaking in Umuahia, the state capital,  while distributing the materials and cash, the executive secretary and chief executive of the group, Imam Abdullahi Shuaib said it gives him great pleasure to welcome the beneficiaries to the ceremony which is the first of its kind in the annals of Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund in Abia.

    Shuaib recalled that the group was in the state capital during Ramadhan this year for the distribution of food items to enable the fasting Muslim brothers and sisters to perform their socio-religious obligations to Allah and humanity.

    He said that he was in the state to support the vulnerable and less-privileged who are suffering from deprivations, marginalisation and neglect so that they could become less dependent on other people.

    The zakat boss said, “Therefore on behalf of Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund, I am delighted to share the good news of our commitment to wipe your tears, soothe your pains byempowering some of you economically, meet your educational needs and take care of the bills of your medications”.

    “The gesture is inspired by Islamic faith to provide socio-economic and humanitarian services to the poor and needy people, which includes economic empowerment support, educational support, medical support, collection, rebranding and distribution of fairly used or old materials and human capital development of scholars and Imams”.

    “It is in fulfillment of this noble ideal that we have gathered here to witness the 1st Zakat Distribution Ceremony (ZDC) of Abia State where Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund will be distributing the sum of One million two hundred thousand naira (N1,200,000) to fifty (50) beneficiaries”.

    “Out of the aforementioned fund, 73.75 percent is meant for the economic empowerment support of the beneficiaries while 18.75 percent and 7.5 percent are to take care of their educational medical needs respectively”.

    “Towards this end, items such as three sewing machines, two motorcycles, an industrial sewing machine, a computer laptop and various cash amounts for petty businesses such as hairdressing, barbing salon, food vending, medications for diabetes, treatment of an amputee and payments of school fees and WAEC registration among others will be given to the 50 beneficiaries”.

    “Our commitments to the uplift of the standards of living of the poor and needy are driven by our passion to help add values to the life of humanity and complementing efforts of our governments in taking care of the welfare and security of the citizenry”.

    “I urge you all to join hands with Jaiz Zakat & Waqf Trust Fund to put smiles on the faces of the less-privileged people, give them hope and illuminate their hearts with kindness so that their lives will become meaningful to them and society at large”.

    Shuaib said that by giving to the indigent people that it will help to close the gap between the have and have not such that our society will experience peaceful co-existence among adherents of different faith in the country, adding that by doing that it will help in the development and growth can take effectively.

    He told the successful Zakat beneficiaries, to make the best use of their Zakat fund or item and not to divert it or sell it or squander the fund in a non-productive way, “You should remember that not everybody has the opportunity you have today, this is a trust from Allah.”

  • Ikpeazu’s wife builds house No 17 for the needy

    Ikpeazu’s wife builds house No 17 for the needy

    The wife of the Abia State Governor Mrs. Nkechi Ikpeazu has built yet another three-bedroom bungalow for Mr and Mrs Okezie Ejike at Okaiuga Nkwoegwu in Umuahia North Local Government Area, thereby bringing the total number of houses so far built for indigent people to 17.

    The house is in fulfillment of a promise she made to the family two months ago when she visited them when one of their children had an unpalatable encounter with some hoodlums.

    Mrs Ikpeazu who paid the family a visit to commensurate with them during the ugly incident saw the situation of their house which was almost collapsing on their heads decided to build a befitting house for them.

    Speaking during the commissioning of the building Mrs Ikpeazu said that the house was built through her NGO the Vicar Hope Foundation to help alleviate the suffering of the family.

    Mrs Ikpeazu also revealed that the mother of the house Mrs. Ejike will be empowered to start a small business so that she can contribute to the upkeep of the family.

    The governor’s wife also said that one of their daughters will be put through school up to university level in fulfillment of the scholarship which Governor Okezie Ikpeazu promised them when their daughter met with an unforeseen circumstance.

    Mrs. Ikpeazu used the opportunity to disclose that the present government believes in justice and equity, adding that the present administration under her husband was determined to touch the lives of the downtrodden in the society.

    In his reaction, Mr Ejike said that words failed him to express himself and the feeling of the wife of the governor and her husband towards his family and prayed God to bless them always.

    He said, “It is only God that knows how we feel over this unmerited favor from the first family of the state, am sorry that I am finding it hard to express my feeling and that of my family. I pray God to bless you and your family always”.

    In her speech the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Lady Chinedu Brown thanked the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Ikpeazu on behalf of Abia women for effective representation of womenfolk and touching people’s lives through her programs.

    In his remarks, the chairman Umuahia North council Chief Okezie Ezeigbo thanked the wife of the governor for coming to the aid of one of his people and prayed God to reward her and her husband abundantly.

    In his reaction a former member of the State House of Assembly Chief Emeka Ejiogu commended the humanitarian service of the governor’s wife to the public and assured that they will not fail to give them hundred percentý supports now and in 2019.

    Speaking also the paramount ruler of the area Eze Nzenwata Mbakwe thanked the wife of the governor for her kind gesture and declared that such action was a true demonstration of a public oriented government and prayed that God will continue to uphold them in bringing succor to the needy.