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Dame Edith Okowa, wife of Delta State Governor.

Over 500 households resident in Mile Five Community in Anwai, today September 5, 2020, received succour from the wife of Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa, who reached out to them with food and clothing materials.

Dame Okowa, as part of activities to mark the International Day of Charity, through her pet project, The O5 Initiative undertook a house-to-house distribution of food and clothes to the entire 500 households in the community.

Representing the wife of the Governor at the charity outreach, the grand finale of a weeklong event that included payment of medical bills for indigent patients at the Federal medical Centre, Asaba, distribution of food items to churches and indigent women in the 25 local government areas of the state, clothes for the needy and the inauguration of a bore hole project for indigenes of Mile 5 community, Anwai, the Director General of 05 Initiative, Mrs. Oghenekevwe Agas charged the residents on the need to live in constant love, irrespective of social or economic standing.

“The world has marked every September 5 as a day of charity. This does not mean that we show love on this day alone but it is rather a reminder on the need for us to live with concern for others,” she said.

Moving round the community in spite of the rain induced mud, the DG presented packs of relief materials to representatives of each household. Those whose houses were afar off picked up their items from the church in the community.

Each bag presented contained food items such as rice, beans, noodles, pastas, flour meals, sanitizers and clothing materials.

Chief Alexander Chinwuba, a community leader, represented by his wife, Mrs. Caroline Chinwuba, receiving the items for her household thanked the team profusely and pledged to also extend the hand of love to those around her.

Theresa Odinakachukwu, 80- year- old from Anambra State said she had lived in the community for over five years and had had to struggle to feed.

According to her, the items received came as a great relief for which she was deeply appreciative.
Celestina Nwachukwu, 38, who is physically challenged following a ghastly accident said: “For the past 10 years I have stayed in this state, I have never tasted salt worth N50 from the state government.
“But look at me today, carrying this big bag full of food. I cannot remember when last I ate this kind of food in my house because even rice is very expensive but our governor’s wife has remembered those of us who are poor”.

Recall also that Dame Okowa had during the week reached out to the community by commissioning three borehole water facilities to help them access portable drinking water.
The beneficiaries, all in joy sang in appreciation of the gesture and raised their voices in heartfelt prayer for the wife of the Governor.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Okowa has paid glowing tribute to donors for their financial commitment to this laudable course and urged them not to relent in their good work.

She said: “For the past three years, the grace of God has enabled us to fulfill our mission of visiting the sick and paying their bills at the Federal Medical centre, Asaba. Though the Covid-19 season has restricted us from visiting our patients, it will not stop us from paying their bills.”

“ I will not cease to commend the Chief Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Dr. Victor Osiatuma, management and staff for partnering with 05 Initiative, we are grateful for your support.

Thank you for giving hope to the common man, you do not bore them with payments before treatment; you rendered services to them alive. Man can only appreciate you but god will reward you abundantly for this show of love,” dame Okowa prayed.

For the avoidance of doubt she pointed out that the International day of Charity is not solely for the 05 Initiative team, but for everyone. “There is something you can do, there is somebody you can help, you may not have so much to give, but a little bit or kindness will help change our world one person at a time,” the Delta First Lady said.