As part of activities to mark the 62nd birthday of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Zenith Bank Plc in partnership with 05 Initiative on Tuesday presented managers’ cheques to orphanage homes in the state.
Wife of the Governor and Founder of 05 Initiative, Dame Edith Okowa dropped the hint at the flag off of this year’s presentation, saying that the initiative was a tradition started in 2017, and which has seen the reach out to 21 orphanages in Delta State with a total cheque of N10 million.
She pointed out that the cheque presentation to Care Givers for the upkeep of orphans in their custody was in fulfillment of the desire of Governor Okowa to celebrate his birthday with the less privileged in the society.
While applauding the gesture of Zenith Bank PLC for consistently partnering with the Delta State Government, her husband and O5 Initiative in reaching out to the less privileged in the society, she charged the Care Givers to make judicious use of the funds for the welfare of the orphans.
She said: “As you are aware, this programme which started in 2017 is done annually by Zenith Bank through the O5 Initiative to mark the birthday of my dear husband, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyichukwu Okowa who at the inception of this administration made a passionate appeal to Deltans to take care of orphans instead of organizing parties in his honour.
“Zenith Bank Nigeria PLC keyed in and has been consistent with this presentation as part of the Vision of the O5 Initiative to care for orphans .
“This is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes, even when the world is going through hard times, there is still supply for the needy. I pray that the Lord will continue to bless Zenith Bank, your story will be from glory to glory in Jesus name.
“I want to urge our caregivers to use these funds judiciously to add value to the lives of our Children, ensure they are given the best.”
She also appealed to other well meaning individuals and corporate bodies to take a cue from the kind gesture of Zenith Bank, “do not wait until you have so much, with the little you have you can join us in Changing our World one person at a time”, Dame Okowa Charged.
Presenting the cheques on behalf of Zenith Bank Plc, Eruke Omorogieva who represented the Group’s Zonal Head, Lucky Ighade, said that they were delighted to be partners with the Delta State Government and what Governor Okowa does.
A breakdown of the birthday reach out to orphanages in the State since inception shows that, in 2017, St Job Orphanage Agbor, Mother of Divine Grace Asaba and Little Saints Orphanage Warri received the total sum of N2 Million Naira.
In 2018, Heart of Delta Uvwie, Eagles Hand Orphanage Warri and City of David Mission Home Asaba received the sum of N2 Million Naira.
For 2019, Mother of Divine Grace Asaba, St Barnabas Orphanage Asaba and Children Revolutionary Centre Oleh also shared the sum of N2 Million Naira.
During the peak of the Covid Pandemic in 2020, the number of benefitting orphanages were increased and spread across the three senatorial districts. The Orphanages were, St Anne’s Uvwie, Orem Orphanage Ughelli, Ojone Marvis Ogwashi Uku, Charity Orphanage Agbor, Kings Kids Warri and Potters House Warri
This year, 2021, Shepherd Care Orphanage, St Joseph Orphanage Oghara, Trinitarian Orphanage Asaba, Great Saint Orphanage Issele Uku, Crown Kids Orphanage Effurun and Aruka Peace Foundation made the beneficiary’s list.
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