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International Day of Charity: Dame Okowa Going Beyond Charity To Legacy
By: Miracle Enuji
Staying true to her culture and passion of reaching out to the vulnerable and indigent in the society, wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder, O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa at this year’s International Day of Charity, showered unlimited smiles on the faces of countless individuals.
Armed with love even in the face of the dreaded Coronavirus pandemic and dedicated to charitable works as exhibited by Dorcas in the Holy Bible and by the renowned nun and missionary, Mother Teresa of Calcutta whose tireless work and devotion to a life of charity work earned her a United Nations recognition, Dame Okowa forsook her comfort and took to the road in company of her ever supportive aides to show love to vulnerable residents in the state.
Dame Edith Okowa prepping her team for the 2020 International Day of Charity. (PIX: O5 INITIATIVE/ Sept. 2, 2020)
The cluster settlement of Mile 5, an agrarian community cornered along the banks of River Niger, was ignited with permanent happiness on September 3, 2020 as Dame Okowa fulfilled her 2019 commitment of providing the community with its first source of potable water.
A dream come true and an assurance of good health through the provision of safe drinking water, the O5 Initiative Founder made another pledge to ensure that schools and healthcare centre are situated in the community. A legacy to be bequeathed to Mile 5 residents and future generations.
A Mile 5 resident pumping out water from the bore-hole donated by Dame Edith Okowa and O5 Initiative as part of the 2020 International Day of Charity. (PIX: O5 INITIATIVE/ Sept. 3, 2020)
Indeed, a week long celebration which the First Lady embarked on not only saw her engage in visits and pledges but on Wednesday, September 4, 2020 in her usual gesture since 2017, cleared another set of medical bills worth over 3.4 million naira for 13 indigent patients at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Asaba. An act not laced with political gains but a lifestyle adopted in response to Scriptural injunction.
Dame Edith Okowa (right) presenting a cheque of three million four hundred and thirty three thousand naira to the Chief Medical Director, Federal medical Centre, Asaba, Dr. Victor Osiatuma as payment of medical bills for 13 patients at the Hospital in continuation of the activities to mark the 2020 world charity day celebration. (PIX: NORBERT AMEDE/ Sept. 4, 2020)
Furthermore, as part of palliatives to cushion the sufferings of vulnerable groups, the distribution of various food items to over 2500 indigent women and select churches across the state also took place within the World Charity Week.
In the light of the huge bouquet of love and in tune with her watchword, “Reaching One Person At A Time”, Deltans and watchers are not surprised at the consistency of Dame Okowa in turning her charitable works into legacies for the benefit of future generations.
The plethora of her charitable works through O5 Initiative which had over the years catered for the less privileged- Orphans, Sickle Cell Patients, Indigent Women, the Aged, even Prisoners, has distinguished Dame Edith Okowa as an Icon in the hearts of many and a Legacy to be referenced for years to come.
