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Dame Edith Okowa, Delta First Lady, and Founder O5 Initiative.

Caregivers who are operating orphanage homes, but who wickedly turn them into cartels for selling the children they are supposed to care for have been admonished to stop the evil act or face the consequences.

Wife of the Governor of Delta State and Founder of O5 Initiative, Mrs. Edith Okowa gave the warning and advise today in Asaba on the occasion of the World Orphans’ Day celebration and presentation of food items to 45 orphanage homes across the state.

The event at which saw 45 orphanage homes presented with assorted food items, was witnessed by dignitaries from all walks of life, including wife of the Deputy Speaker of the Delta State house of Assembly, Mrs. Anna Ochor, Mrs. Eriatake Ibori-Suenu and Hon. Emeka Nwaobi, both members of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Delta State, Mr. Olise Ifeajika, the clergy, among others.

Mrs. Okowa told the caregivers: “These children are not your own. I am not referring to all caregivers, but I am talking to the few that are involved. If you don’t stop, Police go enter the matter.”
Appreciating the authentic caregivers, Mrs. Okowa thanked them for creating the atmosphere of love for the children. “It is indeed, a huge task. I urge you not to relent, Keep showing kindness; God is not unjust to forget your labour of love; you will reap in due season if you faint not,” she said.

She announced that the World Orphans Day was set aside by the United Nations and billed for hold every Second Monday in November to raise awareness of the plight of orphans, and to re-evaluate the way “we treat the children around us especially the ones that are not our biological children having lost their parents under various circumstances making them extremely vulnerable to the vices in society.”

Mrs. Okowa continued: “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. Our aim of gathering here annually is not for show, but to talk to ourselves on ways to add value to the lives of these children.”

The first lady of Delta State hinted that the O5 initiative, founded by her, has in the past four years taken seriously the well being of 42 registered orphanages and five adopted families including a set of Quintuplets (five girls) by regularly proving their basic needs especially food.”

Mrs. Okowa who thanked God for providing the resources by using partners to meet the needs of these orphans, said: “Special thanks to corporate organizations that have supported us financially, we appreciate.
She pleaded with every parent to plant good seeds for the sake of your children; Just one good seed will yield a bountiful harvest. “Go the extra mile; give the extra mile; give that child many reasons to live So, we can change our world, one person at a time.”