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The call has been made for measures to be put in place to continue the good work that the 05 Initiative, founded by the wife of Delta State Governor, Dame Edith Okowa is doing to uplift the living standard of orphans and other less privileged in the society.

Rev. Sister Ejidike Immaculata of the Little Lillies Orphanage, Asaba made the call during an exclusive interview with banneronlinenews.com shortly after she collected food and other items provided by 05 Initiative on the occasion of the World Orphans Day Celebration on Monday, November 8, 2021 at Government House, Asaba.

At the event in which 48 registered orphanages and four adopted families, including a quintuplet (five girls) received provision of food and other items, Rev Sister Immaculata described 05 initiative’s provisions as very joyful and wonderful occasion.

She commended Dame Edith Okowa for using her NGO to help and give hope to the less privileged. She said: “I thank God especially for the gift of life grace to witness today, especially this 05 initiative’s activity. May God’s name be highly exalted forever.

“Let the governments and the world not allow the 05 Initiative to stop doing this good thing it is doing because what it is doing is helpful to the orphans and the less privileged of the world. They should allow 05 Initiative not to die.”

Speaking at the event earlier, Dame Okowa, founder of 05 Initiative expressed gladness to be present at the celebration of the 2021 World Orphans’ Day set aside by the United Nations in honour of Mother Theresa of Calcutta who spent her life looking after the poor.

She recalled that it was to remember the plight of Orphans that the second Monday in November every year was set aside by the united nations to celebrate them. “On this day, attention is drawn to the plight of the World’s Orphans and people are encouraged to actively participate in raising awareness, support the cause and help them heal emotionally.

She said: “Our gathering here is not only to listen to ourselves but to take practical steps and chart a way forward. Before our very eyes, we have seen orphaned children grow and make progress in different life’s endeavours. So many successful orphans are celebrated around the world because kind-hearted individuals made it possible. Some of us can testify.

“ Year in, year out, we gather in different platforms to discuss the well being of Orphaned Children, can we really say there is a difference? If there is a difference, how come the stories we hear or read everyday are so disheartening; the news of how a supposed mother places a hot iron on the laps of a little orphan because of an error committed. There are measures we cannot take against our own children. Why then do we treat these Orphans without love? Be reminded that they are God’s gift to mankind.

”The care of Orphans is of importance to us in the O5 Initiative as enshrined in the word of God. For the past six years, the O5 team has worked with Care Givers in registered Orphanages across the state. Despite the COVID 19 Pandemic we have not stopped attending regularly to the needs of our Children.

“ As in our usual style, provision has been made for fifty registered Orphanages and four adopted families including the Quintuplet (five girls). This is in fulfillment of our mission to feed the hungry and provide shelter for the homeless.

“I wish at this juncture to appreciate our care givers for their consistent love and care for my Children; In the face of the uncertainty of the future, I urge you to make the word of God your standard for the upbringing of these children. As you sincerely do this, your labour of Love will be rewarded in due season.

“I thank God for providing the resources through our partners, individuals and corporate organizations; thank you for supporting the O5 Vision. I want to specially recognize Zenith bank for their attention to selected orphanages, every year, God bless you.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my charge to us this morning is that we should be part of this onerous task. I pray that through this year’s event, the Lord will raise more helpers for Orphans all around the world. Let be that because of you, that child can get a life line and a reason to smile again, by so doing; we can change our World One Person at a time.”