World Orphans Day: Dame Okowa, O5 Initiative Distribute Food Items To Over 40 Orphanages in Delta

…As Okowa Warns Care Givers Against Selling Children.

The Wife of the Delta State Governor and Founder O5 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa has distributed food items worth millions of naira and cash to over 40 orphanages in the State in commemoration of this year’s World Orphans Day celebration.

The event which took place at the First Lady’s Office, Government House Asaba on Thursday, November 7, 2019, had in attendance political and religious leaders, and care givers across the state.

Speaking during the celebration, Dame Okowa said the present world is full of evil and implored all Nigerians to join the train and help the vulnerable children, insisting that every child needed protection and guidance, hence everyone should be concerned over the welfare of children, most especially orphans.

According to her, “Every child that comes across your way is your child,” informing that there are 42 registered orphanages in the state and 05 Initiative has adopted five families in addition to five quintuplets which the initiative is regularly providing for, especially food and basic amenities.

The First lady said the celebration which is billed for every second Monday in November to raise awareness of the plight of orphans and to re-evaluate the way emphasized that “we treat the children around us especially the ones that are not our biological children. These are children who have lost their parents under extreme circumstances making them vulnerable to the vices in society.”

“Every child has a right to protection and is entitled to a complete and fulfilled life. But my heart bleeds each time I see parents especially mothers maltreating their domestic staff. We gather here annually not for show but to talk to ourselves on ways to add value to the lives of these children.”

While commending the care givers whom she said have created atmosphere of love for many children, Dame Edith Okowa warned Orphanages to desist from selling children against the procedure for child adoption, saying homes that are engaged in such acts, the hands of the law will catch up with them.

A Cross section of Caregivers during the 2019 world Orphans day. PIX: NORBERT AMEDE

She disclosed that there were Orphanages that are involved in such unholy attitude, noting that God in heaven is seeing all the evils being perpetuated by such homes anywhere they find themselves.

In her words, “Those care givers that are selling children, please, stop it, God is seeing you in heaven. Yes, some are doing it. You know yourselves. If you do not stop, Police will enter the matter. However, some of you are doing well, please, continue to do well.”

Dame Okowa further frowned at situations where 70 years old men defile under-age children, saying it is abnormal and God is demanding for change from those people involved in such criminal acts.

She however urged the Orphanages to continue in the show of kindness as God would not forget their labour for the welfare of the less privileged children.

Earlier, the Director-General of the 05 Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas in her welcome address, said the United Nations set aside the world orphans day to care for vulnerable children, especially orphans and others.

She said the day was set aside to give attention to the plight of orphans, noting that “if each of us in our sphere of responsibility pay attention to the plight of children, our society will be a better place for all.”

Reverend Chuks Anizor, Reverend Canon Kingsley Dieli and others in their goodwill messages, commended Dame Edith Okowa for celebrating with orphans for the past four years and urged her to carry on the good deeds after the expiration of her office as Delta First Lady.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of food items and cash to all Orphanages who were present at the event.