“I’ve got a kind-hearted woman,
Do anything in this world for
me.”
An excerpt from the first couplet of the lyrics to “kindhearted
Woman Blues”- a song recorded in 1936 by the legendary Bluesman Robert Johnson,
is a testimonial to a virtuous woman’s dedication to doing good. This classic
blues succinctly captures the passion and commitment to charitable causes
associated with the First Lady of Anambra State Chief (Mrs.) Ebelechukwu
Obiano. Those who know her attest that her display of motherly care and her
milk of human kindness to the less privileged predate her sojourn to Anambra’s
seat of power.
It was Kelvin Health who said that “wherever there is a human in
need, there is an opportunity for kindness and to make a difference.” Osodieme, that’s the
traditional title of Mrs. Obiano, like her husband Akpokuodike who is just seven months in office and
is already redefining governance in Anambra State, has shown an uncanny ability
at making a difference in the lives of people, especially in support of
indigent families and the physically challenged.
Through CAFÉ Chief (Mrs.) Obiano supports the welfare programmes
of Chief Willie Obiano’s administration which promotes strong and healthy
families through assisting and supporting vulnerable groups amongst Ndi Anambra
to feel the impact of government and eventually contribute to the
socio-economic development of the state.
Following the visit of Her Excellency Dr (Mrs) Dame Patience
Jonathan to Anambra State on October 4, 2014 for the South East Widows
Empowerment Programme, she
donated various items of empowerment to the widows; a gesture, Mrs. Obiano
observed complements CAFÉ’s role in providing succor to the indigent and
down-trodden in the society. But when it became obvious that the donated items
were being pilfered right at the Ekwueme square venue, Mrs. Obiano took charge
to safeguard and ensure that the items got to the right persons.
Thus she hosted the widows from the 189 communities in Anambra
State on October 18, 2014 and shared the items for onward distribution to the
needy. The items include 200 hair dryers, 200 sewing machines, 500bags of salt,
150cattons of soap, 500 bags of rice, 10 bundles of wrappers, 200 bags
containing bundles of treated mosquito net, 750 milling machines amongst
others.
On the other hand, Chief Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano’s birthday
celebration is never complete without her spending some time with the less
privileged. This year she set aside Sunday October 19, 2014 for a special party
with this group of Nigerians who are very dear to her heart. Thus it was fun, dance, music
and nutriment galore for the handicapped and the physically challenged who
thronged the Governors’ Lodge Amawbia last Sunday evening on special invitation
to mark the First Lady’s birthday.
Seated at a vantage corner of the car park of the Governors’
official residence and observing the soiree with mostly students of special
schools for people with disabilities including deaf mutes, the visually
impaired, and walking paraplegics it felt normal that such a party would have a
cake to be cut, much to eat and drink coupled with dance and merriment. All
that and more were evident but much more came to the fore as the party lasted.
When the celebrant and hostess Chief (Mrs.) Obiano worked into the
arena she was literarily mobbed by ecstatic pupils and students as she mingled
with them receiving greetings and adulation from both young and old in the
arena as she exuded happiness amongst them, returning their greetings with
heart-felt smiles, grace
and candour.
After the opening niceties the arena erupted in colorful gyration
as the pupils and students joined the celebrant on the dance floor in a dance
befitting the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion Chief (Mrs.) Obiano said that the party
is a gesture to give her guests a sense of belonging, adding that nothing
compares to the fulfillment she gets from putting smiles on the faces of the
less privileged in the society. I am at home with the people with one form of
disability or another –the blind, the deaf and dumb, etc.
According to Chief (Mrs.) Obiano “There is not much difference
between those of us that are hale and hearty and them once they are given the
necessary support to overcome their challenges. I call on Ndi Anambra,
especially the wealthy to help out. Together with my pet project, the Caring
Family Enhancement Initiative (CAFÉ) we can collaborate to assist the needy in
our society.”
Mrs. Obiano explained that since coming
on stream, CAFÉ has done a lot to mobilize and give support and succor to
indigent families and the physically challenged through various programmes and
welfare packages.
CAFE also supports the activities of the administration of her
husband Chief Willie Obiano in the area of skill acquisition. The physically
challenged have been co-opted to learn vocations and skills that will enable
them become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the society.
Mrs. Obiano explained that at CAFÉ they encourage and teach the
physically challenged that there is ability in disability and to believe and
discover those innate potentials God gave them so as to succeed in life. “So
far we are making tremendous progress and I encourage partnership from
individuals and other NGOs towards uplifting the lives of these wonderful
children. “She added.
The First Lady reiterated her call on the Ndi Anambra especially
the wealthy and people of goodwill to devote some time and part of their
resources to the caring and helping the less privileged members of the society
especially the physically challenged in order to assist them in conquering
their challenges.
The highlight of the evening party was a special soulful song
rendition by Ebele, one of the students which drew tears from the eyes of many,
including the First Lady. What is perhaps telling about the outpour of emotions
following the song is that if the clarion call for assistance is heeded by Ndi
Anambra like the tear drops on the arena that fateful evening, CAFÉ’s task of
empowering the indigent and the less privilege would have succeeded.
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